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: The present invention provides for a data acquisition system for sleep diagnostics, and method of using such system. The wireless sleep diagnostic data acquisition system can be used for remote testing, and provides for an easy and seamless transfer of testing data through cellular systems from a portable, wearable patient interface box to a computer and/or monitor to allow the patients physician to review and analyze the sleep data at one or more sites remote from where the patient was tested.

Abstract: A system includes one or more memory devices having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including calculating a depression detection value based in part on a first depression-indicative value based on a first body parameter value, a second depression-indicative value based on a second body parameter value, and a weighting applied to at least one of the first depression-indicative value and the second depression-indicative value, comparing the depression detection value to a first threshold and a second threshold that is different from the first threshold to detect an onset of a depression episode, and initiating neurostimulation therapy by one or more electrodes responsive to detecting the onset of the depression episode.

Abstract: A medical device housing having a reduced footprint is described. The medical device housing includes a flange coupled to a first portion of the housing and a second portion of the housing that is configured to be coupled to the flange to substantially enclose an electronic component(s) within an interior of the medical device housing. The first portion of the housing includes a support(s) that supports the flange within the first portion. In some examples, a trench is formed between an interior wall of the first portion of the housing and the flange. An adhesive is deposited within the trench to bond the flange to the first portion of the housing. The second portion of the housing is configured to decouple from the flange to allow access to the interior of the medical device housing, such as for maintenance or repairs.

Abstract: A sensing unit is configured to generate pressure readings from a phenomena within a sleep environment and to generate temperature readings from a sensed temperature. A processing unit is configured to select a thermoregulation adjustment and to alter a thermal property of a sleep environment based on the selected thermoregulation adjustment.

Abstract: An optical probe includes a light source configured to generate an optical signal, a plurality of waveguides configured to guide the optical signal to a target, a plurality of electrodes configured to record an electrical signal generated by the target, and a modulator configured to transmit the optical signal of the light source to at least one target waveguide from among the plurality of waveguides.

Abstract: The embodiment discloses a rhinitis treatment device including a frame covering a nose; a substrate disposed inside the frame; and a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on the substrate, wherein the substrate includes: a pair of first regions spaced apart from each other in a first direction to face both sides of the nose; and a second region disposed between the pair of first regions and extending in a second direction from a tip of the nose toward a root of the nose, and wherein the plurality of light emitting devices includes a plurality of first light emitting devices disposed in the pair of first regions.

Abstract: In one example, a wearable vital sign monitor (WVSM) system comprises a support structure configured to be worn by a patient, a plurality of patient physiological sensors configured to be coupled to the patient when the patient is wearing the support structure, each patient physiological sensor configured to output a respective patient physiological signal, a memory, and, a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of patient physiological sensors and configured to store in the memory measurements of patient physiological signals taken at selected times based on a categorization of the patient physiological signal.

Abstract: A therapeutic light assembly used for reducing a patient's viral load including a housing containing at least one therapeutic light source configured to emit light at air exiting the patient's airway, a power source coupled to the at least therapeutic light source, and a tubing attachment coupled to the housing configured to secure the housing to a patient's tubing.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to manually and robotically controllable medical instruments. A manually and robotically controllable medical instrument can include an elongated shaft articulable by pull wires. The elongated shaft can be connected to an instrument handle that attaches to an instrument drive mechanism. The instrument handle can include a pulley assembly on which the pull wires can be mounted. Rotation of the pulley assembly can actuate the pull wires to cause articulation of the elongated shaft. The medical instrument also includes a manual drive input connected to the pulley assembly such that manual actuation of the manual drive input causes rotation of the first pulley assembly and a robotic drive input configured to engage with a robotic drive output of the instrument drive mechanism such that rotation of the first robotic drive output causes rotation of the pulley assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of an implant such as a cochlear implant relative to a structure of interest such as a tissue wall. The implant has an electrode array including a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode array is insertable into an electrically-conductive volume relative to the inner wall of the scala tympani of the cochlea. A pulse generator generates a biphasic, constant-current pulse on the first and second electrodes. A controller measures the differential voltage across the pair of electrodes during the current pulse. The controller determines the proximity between the inner wall and the segment of the electrode array between the first and second electrodes based on the differential voltage between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source and a deformable light guide optically coupled to the light source. The deformable light guide is configured to conform to a surface of tissue when in contact with the tissue such that light from the light source is coupled directly from the deformable light guide to the tissue. By using a deformable light guide, more light can be delivered to a target tissue. This may increase treatment efficacy, reduce treatment time, or both.

Abstract: A fitting arrangement is described for fitting electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array implanted in a cochlea of an implanted patient. This involves iteratively fitting multiple fitting electrode contacts by for each of the fitting electrode contacts: i. delivering fitting stimulation signals to the fitting electrode contact and at least one neighboring electrode contact to stimulate adjacent auditory neural tissue, wherein the fitting stimulation signals are characterized by a charge level distribution function having a non-zero noise level charge at the at least one neighboring electrode contact and a response level charge much greater than the noise level charge at the fitting electrode contact, and ii. obtaining patient responses from the implanted patient to the fitting stimulation signals. A patient-specific fit map is then defined for the electrode contacts of cochlear implant electrode array based on the patient responses.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue.

Abstract: Delivery of implantable active agent delivery components includes implanting a distal lead end of a lead into tissue at an implantation site. A delivery stylet is then inserted through a lead lumen of the lead. The delivery stylet includes a stylet body having a distal stylet end and an active agent delivery component detachably coupled to the distal stylet end. The active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site by extending the distal stylet end of the delivery stylet from a distal lead end of the lead such that the active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site. The active agent delivery component is then detached within the tissue at the implantation site and the delivery stylet may be retracted and removed from the lead lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing bioelectric stimulation, the apparatus comprising: a stimulation unit; a measurement unit comprising an amplifier; first and second stimulation electrodes operable to apply electrical signals to tissue of a patient; first and second measurement electrodes operable to receive first and second measurement signals from the tissue of the patient; wherein the stimulation unit is configured to deliver a first stimulation signal to the first stimulation electrode and a second stimulation signal to the second stimulation electrode; wherein the first signal and the second signal are mirrored about a biasing voltage, the biasing voltage set in dependence of the dynamic range of the amplifier.

Abstract: A surgical instrument manipulator comprises a manipulator arm and an instrument mounting structure rotatably mounted to the manipulator arm. The instrument mounting structure comprises: an attachment interface configured to removably couple to a surgical instrument; and a passage within the instrument mounting structure. When the surgical instrument is coupled to the attachment interface, the surgical instrument is fixed to the instrument mounting structure. An elongate body of the surgical instrument extends through the passage when the surgical instrument is coupled to the attachment interface. The instrument mounting structure is rotatable relative to the manipulator arm, and when the surgical instrument is coupled to the attachment interface, rotation of the instrument mounting structure with respect to the manipulator arm causes rotation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system for generating a Ganzfeld effect includes a flat light emitting diode (LED) panel emitting strobing light, and a controller for controlling the LED panel strobing light. The controller controls a strobing rate of the emitted strobing light so that the strobing light triggers a Ganzfeld effect to a user standing in front of the flat LED panel. The strobing light is generated by switching on/off a single color light, or by switching between different colors with an off period between alternating colors or without an off period between alternating colors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implantable medical devices and headers are described. In an example, an implantable medical device includes a device container including an electronic module within the device container. A modular header core includes a first core module including a first bore hole portion of a first bore hole, the first bore hole portion configured to couple a first electrical component with the electronic module. A second core module includes a second bore hole portion of a second bore hole different than the first bore hole, the second bore hole portion configured to couple a second electrical component with the electronic module. The first core module is detachably engaged with the second core module. A header shell is disposed around the modular header core and attached to the device container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a correlated set for minimal invasive surgery comprising a surgical instrument and a pattern generating member, a surgical system, a training kit, a method of training and a method of performing a minimal invasive surgery. The surgical instrument comprises a handle portion, a surgical tool and a body portion connecting the handle portion to the surgical tool. The pattern generating member comprises a pattern light source and a projector for projecting a light pattern. The projector is adapted for being at least temporarily fixed to the body portion of the surgical instrument such that a movement of said surgical tool results in a correlated movement of said projector.