Abstract: A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering cardiac pacing pulses to a patient's heart by a cardiac system, such as an extra-cardiovascular ICD system. An ICD operating according to the techniques disclosed herein delivers cardiac pacing pulses using high-voltage therapy circuitry typically configured for delivering high-voltage cardioversion/defibrillation shocks. The ICD delivers the high-voltage pacing therapy via extra-cardiovascular electrodes, such as one or more extra-cardiovascular electrodes carried by a medical electrical lead extending from the ICD and/or the housing of the ICD.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the field of cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to devices for assisting rescuers in performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Abstract: In one aspect, an ingestible, electrical device, comprises one or more electrodes comprising a biocompatible conducting material and a biocompatible insulating material; a generator connected to the one or more electrodes; and an outer casing enclosing the one or more electrodes and the generator, the outer casing configured to dissolve in an aqueous environment of the organism; wherein the one or more electrodes have a first form factor when enclosed in the outer casing and a second form factor following a dissolution of the outer casing, the first form factor is a form factor that is collapsed an increased amount relative to an amount that the second form factor is collapsed, and the second form factor is a form factor that is collapsed a decreased amount relative to an amount that the first form factor is collapsed.

Abstract: Technology for deep brain stimulating including devices, systems, computer circuitry, and associated methods is provided. A deep brain stimulating device (100) can include a semiconductor substrate, an array of electrodes (140) coupled to the semiconductor substrate, and circuitry operable to control the array of electrodes (140). Each electrode (142) can be operable to function as an anode, a cathode, a common, or a float independent of other electrodes in the array to create highly configurable electric fields (122, 124).

Abstract: A method and system include a processor that outputs a characterization of a correspondence between a volume of estimated tissue activation and a target and/or side effect stimulation volume, and/or that provides controls by which to modify thresholds and/or amounts according to which the volume of estimated activation is to correspond to the target volume.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument including a jaw part made up of mutually movable instrument legs which have facing sides on which one or more electrode areas are arranged/formed in each case, the movement of the instrument legs relative to each other being able to be limited by at least one first spacer acting on proximal end portions of the instrument legs and at least one second spacer acting on distal end portions of the instrument legs. At least one of the spacers on at least one electrode is manufactured from an electrically conductive material and is connected to the electrode in electroconductive fashion. Furthermore, the spacer cooperates with a local spacer abutment surface which is made of a non-conductive material and arranged in electrically insulating manner on at least one opposing electrode.

Abstract: An ECG clock electrocardiogram based diagnostic device and method is disclosed. The ECG clock provides a clear visual indicator of heart related anomalies such as Long QT syndrome over a longer span of time than can otherwise be assimilated by a medical practitioner. A variable such as QT interval is represented by a variable length radial hand similar to a watch or clock hand. The circular face of the ECG clock represents the diagnostic time interval, typically 24 hours. The resulting output or plot of the ECG clock portrays a circular or polar mapping of the heart related variable such as QT interval over the diagnostic time interval, facilitating rapid diagnosis of volumes of electrocardiogram data by a medical practitioner that has heretofore not been possible.

Abstract: In one example, an implantable lead includes a substrate and an electrically conductive material disposed on the substrate to form a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes a proximal end adapted to electrically connect to an implantable processor, a distal portion adapted to stimulate a cochlear nerve, and a lead body extending from the proximal end to the distal portion, the lead body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of electrical traces adapted to carry electrical signals from the proximal end to the distal portion. A flag extension is formed in the substrate and extends laterally outward from the lead body longitudinal axis. A method for forming a cochlear lead with a flag extension is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) includes minimally invasively implanting a stimulating device in a patient's esophagus in the region proximate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The patient is provided with a questionnaire related to his disease via an online service. The questionnaire is accessed on a mobile device, such as a cell phone, or on a computer with network access. The data from the sensors and the answers from the questionnaire are analyzed together by a health care provider using the online service. The data and answers are used to program the stimulating device, via the mobile device or computer, to optimize treatment.

Abstract: Described is a system for system for gait intervention and fall prevention. The system is incorporated into a body suit having a plurality of distributed sensors and a vestibulo-muscular biostim array. The sensors are operable for providing biosensor data to the analytics module, while the vestibulo-muscular biostim array includes a plurality of distributed effectors. The analytics module is connected with the body suit and sensors and is operable for receiving biosensor data and analyzing a particular user's gait and predicting falls. Finally, a closed-loop biostim control module is included for activating the vestibulo-muscular biostim array to compensate for a risk of a predicted fall.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a cochlear implant module configured to be implanted within a patient and including cochlear implant circuitry configured to apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more audio signals to the patient, 2) a first connector assembly coupled to the cochlear implant module and configured to be implanted within the patient, the first connector assembly including a first set of induction coils, 3) an implantable module configured to be implanted within the patient, and 4) a second connector assembly coupled to the implantable module and configured to be implanted within the patient, the second connector assembly including a second set of induction coils. The first and second sets of induction coils are configured to form a multi-channel inductive link between the implantable module and the cochlear implant module. Corresponding systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating cardiac complex rhythm disorder in a patient can include receiving a plurality of electrical signals from a sensor system, wherein each electrical signal corresponds with a separate location on a cardiac wall of the heart of the patient, and wherein each electrical signal comprises an electrogram waveform; and ranking the electrical signals relative to each other based on at least a uniformity and a frequency of the electrogram waveform of each electrical signal.

Abstract: Electrosurgical devices, methods, and systems for electrosurgical procedures as enabled by bipolar radiofrequency energy. An electrosurgical tissue dissecting device includes a shaft, a distally directed member that extends in a distal direction from the shaft, a first electrode that either forms part of or is positioned on the distally directed member, and a second electrode that is movable with respect to the first electrode.

Abstract: A method and medical device for identifying a cardiac waveform that includes sensing cardiac signals, determining a plurality of RR-intervals in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining R-waves associated with the plurality of RR-intervals, determining P-waves in response to the determined R-waves, determining parameters associated with each P-wave, determining relative changes of the P-waves in response to the determined parameters, determining whether each of the P-waves match within a match threshold in response to the determined relative changes, and generating a P-wave template in response to each of the P-waves matching within the match threshold.

Abstract: A catheter (20), which can be part of an intravascular blood pump, possesses a kink sensor which extends over the total length of the catheter and comprises an optical fiber (28A). The optical fiber is attached to an evaluation device (100) which evaluates a preset light quantity transmitted through the optical fiber as to whether a part of the light quantity is coupled out of the optical fiber along the length of the optical fiber. This is interpreted as a kink event and displayed. The optical fiber preferably utilized for the kink sensor is the optical fiber of an optical pressure sensor.

Abstract: A medical cable connector of a medical cable receives a medical lead while an electrical receptacle within the medical cable connector is placed into a distal position relative to an outer body of the medical cable connector. The electrical receptacle is retracted to a proximal position once insertion of the medical lead into the medical cable connector is completed. The electrical receptacle may be mounted to an inner body which moves relative to the outer body. A biasing member may be present to bias the inner body to a particular position. A slider may be present to provide a clinician with a surface to touch when applying force to position the electrical receptacle in the distal position for insertion of the medical lead. Various other features may be present to facilitate insertion of the medical lead and/or to maintain the position of the electrical receptacle relative to the outer body.

Abstract: A medical device includes a pulse generator and a filter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a stimulation signal and to provide the stimulation signal to tissue of a patient via an implantable lead assembly. The filter is configured to couple to the implantable lead assembly. A combined impedance of the implantable lead assembly and the filter with respect to a current induced by an external electro-magnetic field satisfies an impedance threshold when the external electro-magnetic field has a first frequency and when the external electro-magnetic field has a second frequency. The combined impedance has a peak impedance value when the external electro-magnetic field has a third frequency that is between the first frequency and the second frequency.

Abstract: A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.