Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, having a patch antenna integrated into a housing, is described. The housing includes an annular wall that contains electronic circuitry of the biostimulator and provides a ground plane of the antenna. The patch antenna includes a meandering trace embedded in a curved dielectric layer that is mounted on the annular wall. The trace provides a conductor of the antenna and the dielectric layer provides a dielectric substrate of the antenna between the conductor and the ground plane. The electronic circuitry contained within the annular wall is electrically connected to the trace via an electrical feedthrough that passes through the annular wall and the dielectric layer. The electrical feedthrough places the electronic circuitry in communication with the antenna to transmit or receive wireless communication signals from an external device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Defibrillators, defibrillator architectures, defibrillator interface units and methods of operating defibrillators are described. In one aspect, a modular defibrillator architecture is described. A base unit provides a fully functional defibrillator. The functionality of the base unit can be supplemented by attaching an interface unit to the base unit. The defibrillator interface unit includes a housing, a communications module, a processing unit and a power storage unit. The housing is configured to be mounted on the base defibrillator unit to form at least a part of a unitary portable modular AED system. The communications module facilitates wireless communication between the AED and one or more remote servers. The processing unit includes at least one processor and is configured to receive communications from the base defibrillator unit. The power storage unit powers the interface unit including the communications module and the processing unit.

Abstract: A therapeutic irradiation device may include: a source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined spectral range, a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source and to output a signal indicative of a power of the detected radiation, and a controller configured to monitor a magnitude of the signal output by the sensor and to compare the magnitude of the signal with a predetermined magnitude range, wherein the controller is configured to identify a time period during which the magnitude of the signal output by the sensor is included in the predetermined range.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic surgical tool includes a first jaw providing a first jaw extension, a second jaw providing a second jaw extension, and an articulable wrist operatively coupled to the first and second jaws. The wrist includes a distal clevis, first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the distal clevis at a pivot axis, the first jaw extension being pinned to the first pulley and the second jaw extension being pinned to the second pulley, and a linkage mounted to the first and second jaws and defining a slot. An alignment arm is rotatably mounted to the first pulley at the pivot axis and providing an alignment bar translatable within the slot.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing and treating spinal cord stimulation (SCS) patients are disclosed. Patients are eventually treated with sub-perception (paresthesia free) therapy. However, supra-perception stimulation is used during “sweet spot searching” during which active electrodes are selected for the patient. This allows sweet spot searching to occur much more quickly and without the need to wash in the various electrode combinations that are tried. After selecting electrodes using supra-perception therapy, therapy is titrated to sub-perception levels using the selected electrodes. Such sub-perception therapy has been investigated using pulses at or below 10 kHz, and it has been determined that a statistically significant correlation exists between pulse width (PW) and frequency (F) in this frequency range at which SCS patients experience significant reduction in symptoms such as back pain.

Abstract: Systems for disease treatment using electrical stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes changing an activity, expression, or both activity and expression of a fast sodium channel, a glial cell, or both a fast sodium channel and a glial cell of the patient by applying to a target neural population of the patient an electrical therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range of 1.5 kHz to 100 KHz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for treating a male impotent patient. There is provided a medical device having a constriction device for exerting a force on at least one portion of a tissue wall of a penile portion of the patient to constrict the tissue wall, and a stimulation device with at least one electrode for stimulating the at least one portion of the tissue wall constricted by the constriction device to restrict blood flow leaving the penis to achieve erection, and an interconnection element arranged on the stimulation device to fixate the at least one electrode to the constriction device.

Abstract: Systems for delivering therapy to an intestinal muscle in a patient may comprise a cardiac sensor, an intestinal sensor, an implantable pulse generator and a signal delivery device. The signal delivery device may be configured to deliver a stimulation signal to the muscle. The implantable pulse generator may comprise a microcontroller configured to receive cardiac data from the cardiac sensor and calculate a heart rate parameter therefrom, receive intestinal activity data from the intestinal sensor and calculate an intestinal activity parameter therefrom, determine a physiological state of a patient based on the parameters, adjust a stimulation parameter of the stimulation signal based on the determined state, and instruct the signal delivery device to deliver an adjusted stimulation signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing and treating spinal cord stimulation (SCS) patients are disclosed. Patients are eventually treated with sub-perception (paresthesia free) therapy. However, supra-perception stimulation is used during “sweet spot searching” during which active electrodes are selected for the patient. This allows sweet spot searching to occur much more quickly and without the need to wash in the various electrode combinations that are tried. After selecting electrodes using supra-perception therapy, therapy is titrated to sub-perception levels using the selected electrodes. Such sub-perception therapy has been investigated using pulses at or below 10 kHz, and it has been determined that a statistically significant correlation exists between pulse width (PW) and frequency (F) in this frequency range at which SCS patients experience significant reduction in symptoms such as back pain.

Abstract: A support structure comprises a base joint coupling a proximal link of the support structure to a base. The proximal link is configured to rotate about a first axis associated with the base joint. The support structure further comprises a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism maintains an orientation of an instrument support relative to the base as the support structure is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the second configuration, the support structure is rotated relative to the base about the first axis.

Abstract: A system for detecting strokes includes a sensor device configured to obtain physiological data from a patient, for example brain activity data. The sensor device can include electrodes configured to be disposed at the back of the patient's neck or base of the skull. The electrodes can detect electrical signals corresponding to brain activity in the P3, Pz, and/or P4 brain regions or other brain regions. A computing device communicatively coupled to the sensor device is configured to receive the physiological data and analyze it to indicate whether the patient has suffered a stroke.

Abstract: This document discusses systems, devices, and methods for computer-assisted pain or paresthesia assessment and pain management in a subject. A system includes a programming aid device including a user interface, a transceiver circuit to receive information about pain management for the patient from one or more of a software-based virtual agent (SVA) or a human assistant other than the patient, and a controller circuit to initiate and manage information exchange session between the patient and one or more of the SVA or the human assistant, via the user interface, regarding pain or paresthesia sensation and pain management. Based on the information exchange, the controller determines a stimulation setting, and generate a therapy control signal to the neuromodulation device to initiate delivery of neuromodulation energy according to the determined stimulation setting.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for implementing the techniques for adjusting atrial arrhythmia detection based on analysis of one or more P-wave sensing windows associated with one or more R-waves. An implantable medical device may determine signal characteristics of the cardiac signal within the P-wave sensing window, determine whether the cardiac signal within the sensing window corresponds to a P-wave based on the determined signal characteristics, determine a signal to noise ratio of the cardiac signal within the sensing window, update the arrhythmia score when the P-wave is identified in the sensing window and the determined signal to noise ratio satisfies a signal to noise threshold.

Abstract: A smart patch includes a computing device to monitor user health metrics. The smart patch also includes an adhesive coupled to a cradle with an opening and coupled to at least two electrodes capable of electrically coupling to the user. The computing device contains one or more sensors, a battery and a sensor window. The sensors are configured to interface with the user to generate physiological data associated with the user's health. The battery is configured to power the sensors. The computing device is removably coupled to the cradle. The cradle is configured to engage the computing device securing the computing device to the adhesive. The electrodes electrically couple to the user's skin and conduct electrical signals between the user and the computing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a phototherapeutic apparatus for focused UVB radiation and vitamin D synthesis and associated systems methods. In one embodiment a phototherapeutic apparatus can include a housing at least partially defining an irradiation zone, and an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source carried by the housing. The irradiation zone can be configured to accommodate at least a portion of a human patient. The phototherapeutic apparatus can further include a filter between the UV radiation source and the irradiation zone. The filter can be configured to at least substantially remove UV radiation outside of a predetermined spectrum centered at about 297 nm and having a bandwidth of at most 10 nm.

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: 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: 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.