Abstract: A controller for an implantable blood pump including processing circuitry configured to operate the implantable blood pump and a piezoelectric element in communication with the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: A method of determining a cumulative presence of suction in a patient having an implanted blood pump including determining whether at least one suction event occurred during a predetermined time interval for a predetermined number of time intervals and determining the cumulative presence of suction by dividing a sum of a number of predetermined time intervals in which at least one suction event occurred by the predetermined number of time intervals.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, electrodes, systems, methods, and other implementations, including a system that includes a subdural sound comprising an elongated structure configured to be placed within a subdural space of a brain area of a patient, and an electrode comprising an elongated body, a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a substantially flat first side of the elongated body, and a soundage channel defined along a longitudinal axis of the electrode and open at opposite ends. The soundage channel at the leading end of the electrode is fitted on the trailing end of the elongated structure of the subdural sound so as to be advanced, when the subdural sound is placed within the subdural space, to a target site in the subdural space for tangential placement on target tissue in the subdural space of the brain area.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can modulate the intensity of a neural stimulation signal over time. A pulse generator can be configured to generate a stimulation signal for application to neural tissue of an individual and modulate a parameter related to intensity of a pattern of pulses of the stimulation signal over time. An electrode can be coupled to the pulse generator and configured to apply the stimulation signal to the neural tissue. A population of axons in the neural tissue can be recruited with each pulse of the stimulation signal.

Abstract: A method for assessing a patient's suitability for receiving a vagus nerve stimulation therapy includes receiving a criterion regarding the patient's suitability for receiving a vagus nerve stimulation therapy; controlling a stimulation device to provide stimulation to a vagus nerve of the patient; receiving, from a sensor, response data indicative of a physiological response of the patient to the stimulation of the vagus nerve; and determining the patient's suitability for receiving the vagus nerve stimulation therapy based on the criterion and the physiological response of the patient to the stimulation.

Abstract: Winding a wire at a first location such that the wire is bunched at the first location, extending the wire from the first location to a second location, winding the wire at the second location such that the wire is bunched at the second location, extending the wire from the second location back towards the first location to a third location proximate the second location, winding the wire at the third location such that the wire is bunched at the third location, extending the wire from the third location back towards the first location to a fourth location at least proximate the first location, winding the wire at the fourth location such that the wire is bunched at the fourth location, severing the wire at one or more locations, and forming an electrode assembly utilizing the windings.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for assessing one or more outcomes associated with implantation of one or more electrodes into the inner ear of a recipient.

Abstract: At least one electrical brain signal is received from a patient and is demultiplexed into an efferent motor intention signal and at least one afferent sensory signal (such as an afferent touch sense signal and/or an afferent proprioception signal). A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device is controlled to apply FES to control a paralyzed portion of the patient that is paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury of the patient. The controlling of the FES device is based on at least the efferent motor intention signal. A demultiplexed afferent touch sense signal may be used to control a haptic device. The afferent sensory signal(s) may be used to adjust the FES control.

Abstract: Provided herein are diffractometer-based global in situ diagnostic systems and uses thereof. The systems may comprise one or more tissue diffractometers that are configured for acquiring in situ diffraction data for a subject, e.g., a patient, and that are operatively coupled to a computer database over a network. The one or more tissue diffractometers may be configured for transfer of data such as image data, diffraction pattern data, subject data, or any combination thereof to the computer database over the network. The systems may further comprise one or more computer processors operatively coupled to the tissue diffractometers, which computer processors may be configured to receive the data from the tissue diffractometers, transmit the data to the computer database, and process the data using a data analytics algorithm which may provide a computer-aided diagnostic indicator for the individual subject.

Abstract: A quick-connection type magnetic transmission apparatus for use in a medical interventional instrument, comprising a drive-side housing and a driven-side housing. The drive-side housing and the driven-side housing are coaxially arranged and are connected in a nested mode; a magnetic coupling structure, a magnetic coupling and coaxial guiding mechanism, and an integral coaxial guiding mechanism are sequentially comprised from inside to outside; the magnetic coupling structure consists of a magnetic transmission drive end (12), a magnetic transmission driven end (11), and a quick-connection separation sleeve (13); the magnetic coupling and coaxial guiding mechanism consists of a magnetic coupling and guiding sleeve (21) and a magnetic coupling and guiding groove (22); the integral coaxial guiding mechanism consists of a coaxial guiding sleeve (31), a coaxial guiding groove (32), and a coaxial locking structure.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Abstract: Methods for capturing medical images associated with a patient using a mobile image-capturing device are disclosed. One example method includes accessing patient identifying information through an electronic health record (EHR) application installed in the mobile image-capturing device. A user may launch a scan application installed in the mobile image-capturing device from the EHR application and upon launching of the scan application, the scan application may be provided with the patient identifying information from the EHR application. The scan application may capture medical images using an imaging equipment of the mobile image-capturing device, associate the captured images with the patient identifying information, and transmit the captured images with the patient identifying information to a storage location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the treatment of patients with Parkinson's Disease using subthalmic nucleus deep brain stimulation to a specific region of the brain. By positioning the electrode in the margin of the dorsal-lateral and anterior region of the subthalamic nucleus, improved benefits are obtained.

Abstract: A vital signs monitoring system, the system including: (a) an ear device including: a curved body adapted to a shape of an ear, an upper end, a lower end, two opposite facing sides, a first side adapted to be proximal a skull and a second side adapted to be proximal an earlobe, the ear device including: (i) a temperature sensor adapted to sense a body temperature from a depression between a lower, jawbone and skull; and (b) a control system, including a processor and a memory, configured and operable to control operation of the ear device, to collect signals received from at least one sensor including the temperature sensor, to process the signals to provide medically significant results.

Abstract: A kit for transmitting and sensing signals comprises: a multi-connection cable having a plurality of cable connectors at a distal end of the cable for establishing electrical communication between each of the cable connectors and a system for measuring bioimpedance that is connectable to a proximal end of the cable, and a plurality of devices for transmitting and sensing signals. Each device comprises a non-conductive substrate adherable to a skin of a subject, a first and a second electrical contacts printed on the substrate, and a disposable connector. Each disposable connector is connectable to a compatible cable connector of the cable in a manner that a combined thickness of the disposable connector and the compatible cable connector, once connected, is less than 4 mm.

Abstract: An implantable pump includes a rigid housing with an oblate spheroid shape and having an inner chamber divided by a movable elastomeric membrane into a gas sub-chamber which is connectible through a drive line to an external pneumatic source, and a blood sub-chamber which is connectible through a graft assembly to an anatomical heart. The housing includes a blood port opening oriented at an angle and at the upper apex of the housing and connected to the blood sub-chamber, and a gas port opening to the gas sub-chamber that is situated at a lower apex of the housing. The pump is provided with a drive line that includes a gas conduit and a heart sensor, the drive line connectible to a drive system that is capable of delivering gas flow through the drive line gas conduit in response to signals driven by the heart sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implementing a catheter model to estimate shape of a deformable catheter in a three-dimensional space. The catheter model includes two or more model segments that correspond to two or more segments of the deformable catheter. Each model segment includes a length and location of model electrode(s) and/or model magnetic sensor(s) corresponding electrodes and/or magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Variable shape parameter define a curvature of the segment. Varying the shape parameters generates a plurality of potential catheter shapes. In conjunction with generating the potential catheter shapes, impedance and/or magnetic responses (e.g., measured responses) are obtained for the physical electrodes and/or physical magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Using a selected one (e.g., most likely) of the potential catheter shapes and the measured responses, the shape parameters are updated and a catheter shape is generated and displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods include differential diagnosis for acute heart failure to provide treatment to a patient including determining whether the patient has cardiac volume overload, determining whether the patient has decreased abdominal venous system volume, and providing the appropriate treatment in response to the determinations. A multi-sensor system may be used to determine cardiac volume and abdominal venous system volume. Fluid redistribution treatment may be provided when cardiac volume overload is accompanied by a decrease in abdominal venous system volume. Fluid accumulation treatment may be provided when cardiac volume overload is not accompanied by a decrease in abdominal venous system volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intravascular blood pump comprising an impeller housing and/or impeller blade(s) that may be expandable and collapsible. The blade(s) and/or impeller housing may be biased to expand or may be expanded by centrifugal forces generated during rotation of the impeller and blades with an operatively connected rotational motor.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates a method of diagnosis and/or treatment of a solid tumor. The method includes directly measuring neural activity within a solid tumor for a time and determining a state of the solid tumor based on the neural activity. The diagnosis and/or treatment can be determined based on the state of the solid tumor. In some instances, the neural activity can be used in a closed loop to detect the neural activity, determine the state, determine the risk, apply treatment, check again for neural activity, and cease treatment when the neural activity is gone.