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: 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 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: 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.

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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.