Abstract: A current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) is disclosed. Current source and sink circuitry are both divided into coarse and fine portions, which respectively can provide coarse and fine current resolutions to a specified electrode on the IPG. The coarse portion is distributed across all of the electrodes and so can source or sink current to any of the electrodes. The coarse portion is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking a coarse amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes on the device. The fine portion of the current generation circuit preferably includes source and sink circuitry dedicated to each of the electrode on the device, which can comprise digital-to-analog current converters (DACs).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system that displays graphical representations of posture zones associated with posture states of a patient, on a display device communicatively coupled to a medical device. The medical device is configured to deliver therapy to the patient based on detected posture states of the patient, where the detected posture state is based on the posture zones. The display device may allow a user to manipulate the graphical representations of the posture zones, including changing the size of the posture zones. Additionally, the display device may allow a user to change transition times associated with transitions between posture states, and displaying an indication of the changed transition time by highlighting the two graphical representations of the posture zones corresponding to the posture states associated with the changed transition time.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments, the WCD system includes a speaker system, a memory and a proximity detector. Prompts have been stored in the memory. In case of an emergency, upon inferring that no bystander is nearby, the speaker system may transmit a sound at a higher intensity than otherwise, hoping to attract attention.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein permits the operator of an electrosurgical device to move a safety switch-off threshold for a contact resistance at a neutral electrode from a first value to a second and slightly higher value. This way, for patients with a relatively high resistance yielding a somewhat elevated contact resistance despite correct attachment of the neutral electrode, uninterrupted operation of the device is achievable.

Abstract: An exemplary method of treating obesity or dyslipidemia of a patient includes 1) generating, by an electroacupuncture device implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05, and 2) applying, by the electroacupuncture device in accordance with the duty cycle, the stimulation sessions to at least one of a saphenous nerve and a peroneal nerve of the patient by way of an electrode array located within the patient at an acupoint corresponding to at least one of the saphenous nerve and the peroneal nerve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are current output architectures for implantable stimulator devices. Current source and sink circuitry is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking an amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes of the device. The current source circuitry is distinct from the current sink circuitry, and the two share no common circuit nodes prior to connection to the electrodes. In other words, the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry do not share a common node other than the electrodes. Each stage is preferably formed of a current mirror for receiving a reference current and outputting a scaled version of current to that stage's switch bank. The scalar at each stage can be set by wiring a desired number of output transistors in parallel.

Abstract: An accessory for a host medical device that is capable of authenticating itself to the host medical device. The accessory includes an onboard facility for authenticating the accessory to the host medical device. Various embodiments of the accessory enable it to validate itself to the host medical device without the host medical device reading any stored information from the accessory.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for modifying an electrical stimulation or another type of therapy provided to a patient by a medical device. The therapy modification may be based on a posture and/or activity state of a patient that is detected by an IMD, such as a change in a detected posture state occupied by the patient. Different therapy modifications may be applied for different changes in detected posture state. An IMD may modify therapy based on a transition from one posture state to another posture state. The IMD may determine a posture state of the patient for use in controlling therapy adjustments and/or other aspects of the system. In some examples, when the patient's movement and/or activity velocity exceeds a velocity threshold, a previously-determined stable posture state of the patient may be used to control therapy rather than a current posture state of the patient, which may be transient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid pump or rotary cutter having at least one first element (9??, 10??) which can be brought from a transport state into an operating state by changing at least one mechanical property. Such a pump can, for example, be a blood pump for the medical, microinvasive area. The object of achieving a transition between the transport state and the operating state which is as comfortable as possible and in so doing leaving a freedom in the design of corresponding apparatus, in particular of a pump, which is as large as possible, is achieved using the means of the invention in that the first element at least partly comprises a material (24, 25, 26, 27) or can be filled with a material or material mixture which passes through a chemical reaction, in particular cross-linking, or a crystallization for transition into the operating state.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution.

Abstract: A tissue diagnosis apparatus constituted of: a broad band light source arranged to irradiate a target area with broad band light; a narrow band light source arranged to irradiate the target area with narrow band light; at least one light sensor arranged to: sense the broad and narrow band light after interaction with the target area; a color sensor arranged to sense the broad band light after interaction with the target area; and a housing, the broad band light source, narrow band light source, light sensor and color sensor situated within the housing, wherein a control circuitry is arranged to: determine the image abnormality of the sensed broad band light, the spatial scattering of the sensed narrow band light and the chromatic impact of the interaction of the broad band light with the target area; and output a signal responsive to the identified image abnormality, spatial scattering and chromatic impact.

Abstract: An optical biometric system (1) is characterized by being provided with: a first received light amount information acquisition unit (25) which acquires skin blood flow data relating to a skin blood flow in a wide range of the scalp of a subject by controlling the transmission/reception of light to/from a light transmission/reception unit (30) using a wide-range control table; and a selection control table creation unit (24) which causes a storage unit (23) to store a selection control table for acquiring X pieces of first received light amount information (?A1) selected from among N pieces of first received light amount information (?A1), and in that when acquiring multiple pieces of measurement data relating to the brain activity in a predetermined range of the brain of the subject by controlling the transmission/reception of light to/from the light transmission/reception unit (30) using a control table, a light transmission/reception control unit (21) acquires skin blood flow data relating to a skin blood f

Abstract: A map of cardiac activation wavefronts can be created from a plurality of mesh nodes, each of which is assigned a conduction velocity vector. Directed edges are defined to interconnect the mesh nodes, and weights are assigned to the directed edges, thereby creating a weighted directed conduction velocity graph. A user can select one or more points within the weighted directed conduction velocity graph (which do not necessarily correspond to nodes), and one or more cardiac activation wavefronts passing through these points can be identified using the weighted directed conduction velocity graph. The cardiac activation wavefronts can then be displayed on a graphical representation of the cardiac geometry.

Abstract: A measurement probe is configured to be detachably connected to an optical measurement apparatus for optically measuring a living tissue and includes: an illuminating fiber configured to apply illumination light to the living tissue; a plurality of light receiving fibers configured to receive, at different positions, the backscattering light which is applied by the illuminating fiber and backreflected and/or backscattered from the living tissue; and a support section that is substantially cylindrical and configured to make a distance from each distal end of the illuminating fiber and the plurality of light receiving fibers to the living tissue constant, and permit the illumination light to pass through at least a part of a side surface thereof. An illumination area of the illumination light applied by the illuminating fiber on the living tissue is larger than the area of a distal end of the support section.

Abstract: A varifocal-type optical scanning probe including an optical fiber scanner and a varifocal lens is provided. The varifocal lens includes: a first membrane lens comprising a first lens surface with a variable curvature and a first pressure surface configured to induce a curvature variation of the first lens surface; a second membrane lens including a second lens surface with a variable curvature and a second pressure surface configured to induce a curvature variation of the second lens surface; a first pressure member disposed to apply a pressure to the first pressure surface; a second pressure member disposed to apply a pressure to the second pressure surface; and a motor configured to transmit a driving force to at least one of the first pressure member and the second pressure member.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable component which is connectable to a manipulating device in a self-retaining manner by means of a coupling device, which provides a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The implantable component can thus be really positioned by the manipulating device which can, for example, already be connected to the implantable component before a therapeutic procedure and can be separated therefrom again after the surgical procedure. This is in particular advantageous with minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: At the leading end of a probe (11) is provided a holding part (56) that has a space (60) having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the probe (11). A liquid discharge groove (61) that communicates between the space (60) and the outer peripheral side surface of the holding part (56) is formed in the holding part (56).

Abstract: An implantable electrode paddle is adapted to receive an electrical signal from a medical device and generate an electrical field to stimulate selected body tissue. The paddle includes a housing including walls that define an interior space and a plurality of windows formed through at least a first one of the walls for transmitting the electrical field to the body tissue, an electrode array including a plurality of electrode groups, each electrode group including at least two electrodes individually secured in a respective window and spaced between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm apart, and a plurality of wires, each of the wires being coupled to a respective electrode and routed within the interior space to receive the electrical signal. A lead assembly and an implantable medical device can include the paddle.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for providing breathing therapy (e.g., for treating heart failure, hypertension, etc.) may determine at least the inspiration phase of one or more breathing cycles based on the monitored physiological parameters and control delivery of a plurality of breathing therapy sessions (e.g., each of the breathing therapy sessions may be provided during a defined time period). Further, each of the plurality of breathing therapy sessions may include delivering stimulation after the start of the inspiration phase of each of a plurality of breathing cycles to prolong diaphragm contraction during the breathing cycle.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system (100) with an optical feedback functionality for performing electro-surgery on tissue (200) of patient. An electro-surgical device (105) has an electrode portion (110) with an optical guide (114) integrated therein. An optical unit (160) performs optical characterization of tissue type and/or condition, and is arranged for performing an analysis of the tissue type and/or condition. A control unit (170) generates a feedback control signal (FEEDCON) based on the analysis of the tissue type and/or condition, optical guide allows inspecting the tissue that is e.g. just a few millimeters ahead of the electrode portion (110) performing e.g. the cutting. As a result of the fast and reliable analysis performed by the spectrometer in the optical unit according to the present invention, the system can proactively react to what kind of tissue is in front of the electro-surgical portion i.e. the ‘blade’ of the electro-surgical device or the electro-surgical ‘knife’.