Abstract: An example method is performed by a defibrillator that includes a therapy cable receptacle and an electrocardiogram cable receptacle. The method includes displaying a user interface screen that includes a primary channel for displaying a primary waveform and a secondary channel for displaying secondary data. The method also includes detecting a lack of a patient connection for therapy pads and detecting a patient connection for an ECG lead obtained using an ECG electrode cable. In addition, the method includes displaying a representation of an ECG signal obtained using the ECG electrode cable in the primary channel based on detecting the lack of the patient connection for the therapy pads and detecting the patient connection for the ECG lead.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for aligning an eye with a patient interface of a laser device includes a camera, a display screen, and a computer. The camera records images of the eye through the patient interface of the laser device. A liquid is disposed between and is in contact with the patient interface and the outer surface of the eye. The images include an outline of the liquid. The display screen displays the images of the eye. The computer aligns the eye with the patient interface by: identifying the outline of the liquid in an image received from the camera; determining a misalignment of the eye according to the outline; and instructing the display screen to display a description of the misalignment.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a first electrode, configured to be implanted at a first anatomical site in a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of a subject, and a second electrode, configured to be implanted at a second anatomical site outside the nucleus pulposus of the disc. A control unit is configured to detect a pressure difference between the first and the second anatomical sites by detecting a streaming voltage between the first and the second electrodes, and, in response to the detected pressure difference, drive fluid between the nucleus pulposus and outside the nucleus pulposus by applying a treatment voltage between the first and the second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for generating a cardiac map is disclosed. The method comprises during cardiac mapping in which a mapping catheter is inserted into a heart, receiving a plurality of recordings from the mapping catheter, each recording includes a voltage, and the spatial coordinates of a recording site within the heart indicative of an electrode position of the mapping catheter at the time of acquisition of said voltage, constructing a three-dimensional surface of the heart based on the spatial coordinates of each recording site, performing surface analysis to determine off-surface points in the plurality of recordings where each off-surface point corresponds to a recording from the plurality of recordings which does not lie on the three-dimensional surface, and selectively moving at least some of the off-surface points to the three-dimensional surface based on a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A light radiation device includes a housing, a substrate provided in the housing, and a light source mounted on the substrate. The light source includes a first light source including at least one first light source to emit first light having a blue wavelength band, a second light source including at least one second light source to emit second light having an ultraviolet wavelength band, and a control unit to control the first light source and the second light source such that the second light source sequentially emits the second light after the first light source emits the first light. A dose of the second light source is less than {right arrow over (1)}/10 of a dose of the first light source.

Abstract: A WCD system is configured to detect when a therapy administered to a patient by the WCD system is unsuccessful, and in response determine whether to send notifications to remote non-witness responders. The WCD system may be configured to decide to send such notifications after the WCD system determines it has administered a predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks to the patient. The predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks may be the maximum number of unsuccessful shocks the WCD system will administer to a patient, or every Xth shock (e.g., 3rd shock). The WCD system can be configured to periodically resend the notification. The notifications may be in the form of SMS, voice messages, emails, app notifications, etc. sent to cell phones, smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets, etc. of the responders either directly, via a server, or via a CAD-coupled server.

Abstract: A system and method for treating anorectal and/or genitourinary dysfunction includes implanting, in a minimally invasive manner, an electro-medical device for stimulation of two or more anatomical or histological structures of the anorectal region and/or genitourinary region. Electrodes operably connected to the device are positioned proximate the target anatomical or histological structures. The device provides either the same or different stimulation algorithms to each anatomical or histological structure, which may be the same or different. The varied stimulation parameters, such as pulse width, pulse amplitude, and pulse frequency, are defined such that after an application of the electrical pulses, an abdominal leak pressure, an abdominal leak volume, or a urine volume increases or a number of incontinent episodes or a mean incontinence volume per episode decreases relative to said parameters prior to the application of the electrical pulses.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing, a support plate disposed within the housing, and a shaft having a proximal end portion coupled to the support plate within the housing, a proximal segment, a distal segment, and an articulating portion interconnecting the proximal and distal segments. An end effector assembly is coupled to the distal segment of the shaft. A plurality of actuation components extends through the support plate and at least a portion of the shaft to operably couple to at least one of the end effector assembly, the articulating portion, or the distal segment to enable selective actuation of the end effector assembly. A seal configuration establishes seals against an interior annular surface of the shaft, about each actuation component of the plurality of actuation components, and within the proximal end portion of the shaft to inhibit fluid communication from the shaft into the housing.

Abstract: A portable polysomnography apparatus comprises a unitary flexible structured pillow that is embedded with one or more sensors for data collection. The one or more sensors can comprise a tilt sensor that is configured to generate respiratory effort signals based on tilting of the head of the subject on the pillow. The one or more sensors can further be configured to generate ballistocardiogram signals from movement of the head of the subject caused by beating of the heart of the subject. The polysomnography apparatus can be advantageously sized and shaped to cause the sleeping subject to properly orient her head with respect to the sensors for optimal data collection while the subject is asleep.

Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications, such as in surgery, which has an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part with a first actuation flexible zone having a first diameter and a distal end part having a first distal flexible zone having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. A cylindrical diameter adaptation section is arranged to connect the proximal end part to the distal end part such that a flexion in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis of the longitudinal tubular body of the first actuation flexible zone results in an amplified or attenuated flexion of the first distal flexible zone.

Abstract: A method for deactivating circulating cancer cells (CTCs). The method includes reducing viability of CTCs and/or destroying CTCs by applying a positive electrostatic field to bloodstream of a cancer patient.

Abstract: An illustrative scalar translocation detection system directs a loudspeaker to apply acoustic stimulation to a cochlear implant patient while an electrode lead is inserted into a cochlea of the cochlear implant patient. The system detects a first evoked response to the acoustic stimulation while an electrode is positioned at a first location in the cochlea and detects a second evoked response to the acoustic stimulation while the electrode is positioned at a second location in the cochlea. Then, based on at least one of an amplitude change or a phase change between the first and second evoked responses, the system determines that a scalar translocation of the electrode lead from one scala of the cochlea to another scala of the cochlea has occurred. Based on this determination, the system also notifies a user that the scalar translocation has occurred. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead. And in one form of the invention, the object is secured to a patient using a capstan effect.

Abstract: An implantable system detecting electrical signals of a human or animal heart includes a processor, a memory unit, a first detection unit for atrial activity, a second detection unit for right ventricular activity and a third detection unit for left ventricular activity. The system automatically performs steps at regular intervals including detecting an intrinsic right atrial activity using the first detection unit; detecting an intrinsic right ventricular activity using the second detection unit; determining a time between the intrinsic right atrial activity and the intrinsic right ventricular activity, and storing this time as atrioventricular conduction time.

Abstract: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be used to treat many neurological conditions beyond traditional movement disorders. When patients do not suffer from traditional movement disorders, medical professionals cannot use traditional observation-based methods to configure the DBS system. A new method for selecting stimulation configurations can include recording internal data and external data as the patient performs (or attempts to perform) a motor task. The internal data is electrophysiology data recorded by a plurality of DBS electrodes, used to identify at least one of the plurality of electrodes closest to a neuronal population involved in control of the at least one motor task. The external data is electroencephalogram (EEG) data recorded by scalp electrodes, which is used to select at least one of the potential stimulation electrodes to deliver the DBS. When the electrode(s) delivering the DBS are selected, optimal parameters for the DBS are then chosen.

Abstract: Techniques for securing an instrument to a surgical robot are provided. In an example, an apparatus can include a first portion, a second portion and a collar. The first portion can attach to an end of an arm of the surgical robot and can include a first rod extending away from the arm. The second portion can hold the surgical instrument and can include a second rod extending away from the surgical instrument. The collar can slidably adjust along an aligned axis of the first and second portions secure interfaces of the portions and to allow engagement and dis-engagement of the interfaces with each other.

Abstract: A method of treating osteoarthritis includes an implantable stimulator generating stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05 and applying the stimulation sessions by way of the central electrode and the annular electrode to a location within a patient that includes at least one of an acupoint labeled ST35, an acupoint labeled EX-LE-4, or a location on a line that intersects the acupoints labeled ST35 and EX-LE-4.

Abstract: Technologies relate to imaging a treatment area during laser treatment using a time-gated image capture device and an electronic display. During laser treatment, a physician may monitor a treatment area to ensure efficacy and to prevent over-treatment. Light reflected from the area that includes the treatment area may be detected by an image capture component and converted to a signal. An image processor may then generate image data based on the signal and provide the image data to be displayed on an electronic device. A gating component may send instructions to the image capture component and/or the image processor to prevent inclusion of light from one or more laser pulses generated during treatment. Excluding light from the laser pulses may prevent glare in captured images for allowing a monitoring physician to safely and accurately monitor the treatment area.

Abstract: A robotic electromechanical surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft that extends distally from the housing, a wrist assembly supported on the elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the wrist assembly, cables coupled to the wrist assembly, and an electrical cable coupled to the end effector. The wrist assembly includes a first joint coupled to a second joint. The first joint includes a proximal segment defining an arcuate surface and a distal segment defining an arcuate surface. The electrical cable is positioned relative to the proximal arcuate surface and the distal arcuate surface such that during articulation of the wrist assembly the electrical cable rolls off of the distal arcuate surface as the electrical cable rolls on to the proximal arcuate surface and the electrical cable rolls off of the proximal arcuate surface as the electrical cable rolls on to the distal arcuate surface.

Abstract: Technologies and implementations for a wearable healthcare system, which may detect and determine moisture level at a contact interface between an electrode and a skin of a person. The wearable healthcare system may be a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) having a moisture sensor at the electrode. The WCD may include moisture providing systems to add moisture material to the contact interface.