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 that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander.

Abstract: A portable device is provided having a motion sensor and an engagement sensor. A determination may be made whether the portable device is engaged with the platform. The data being output by the sensor may be used accordingly.

Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.

Abstract: A device is provided for stimulating neurons that includes an implantable stimulation unit that generates stimuli in multiple stimulation elements. The stimulation unit generates the stimuli to stimulate a neuron population in the brain and/or spinal cord of a patient using the stimulation elements. Moreover, the device includes a control unit that controls the stimulation unit to repeatedly generates sequences of the stimuli with the order of the stimulation elements in which stimuli are generated within a sequence being constant for 20 or more successively generated sequences before it is varied.

Abstract: A system, including: an implantable neural stimulator including electrodes, at least one antenna and an electrode interface; a radio-frequency (RF) pulse generator module comprising an antenna module configured to send an input signal to the antenna in the implantable neural stimulator through electrical radiative coupling, the input signal containing electrical energy and polarity assignment information that designates polarity assignments of the electrodes in the implantable neural stimulator; and wherein the implantable neural stimulator is configured to: control the electrode interface such that the electrodes have the polarity assignments designated by the polarity assignment information, create one or more electrical pulses suitable for modulation of neural tissue using the electrical energy contained in the input signal, and supply the electrical pulses to the electrodes through the electrode interface such that the electrodes apply the electrical pulses to the neural tissue with the polarity assignmen

Abstract: Architectures for implantable stimulators having N electrodes are disclosed. The architectures contains X current sources, or DACs. In a single anode/multiple cathode design, one of the electrodes is designated as the anode, and up to X of the electrodes can be designated as cathodes and independently controlled by one of the X DACs, allowing complex patient therapy and current steering between electrodes. The design uses at least X decoupling capacitors: X capacitors in the X cathode paths, or one in the anode path and X?1 in the X cathode paths. In a multiple anode/multiple cathode design having X DACs, a total of X?1 decoupling capacitors are needed. Because the number of DACs X can typically be much less than the total number of electrodes (N), these architectures minimize the number of decoupling capacitors which saves space, and ensures no DC current injection even during current steering.

Abstract: A leadless pacing system includes a leadless pacing device and a sensing extension extending from a housing of the leadless pacing device. The sensing extension includes one or more electrodes with which the leadless pacing device may sense electrical cardiac activity. The one or more electrodes of the sensing extension may be carried by a self-supporting body that is configured to passively position the one or more electrodes proximate or within a chamber of the heart other than the chamber in which the LPD is implanted.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a constraint sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, an expandable chamber disposed within the constraint so as to apply pressure against the heart when expanded and a connector system including a pneumatic connection port in hydraulic communication with the expandable chamber. The heart support system can include a supply unit with: a source of pressurized fluid and a pneumatic supply line extending from the pressurized fluid source. The pneumatic supply line is connectable to the pneumatic connection port.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal stimulation apparatus and methods with an electronic controller and a flexible and stretchable electrode array with a central branch and orthogonal bilateral branches that wrap around a section of the gastrointestinal tract and can accommodate repetitive contraction and relaxation movements of the tract. Array branches have a flexible spring structure, stimulation electrodes, recording electrodes, sensors controlled by a controller and adhesion nodes that fix the branches to the tissue. The electrode array can sense the normal peristalsis from upstream tissue and produce a stimulus signal to stimulate the incapable intestine section to generate stimulation-induced contractions. Electrodes on the incapable intestine section can be used for stimulation or recording, the recorded signal from the incapable intestine section can be sent back to the electronics to form a closed loop control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems for electrical neurostimulation of a spinal cord of a subject in need of nervous system function support. In one example, a system comprises a signal processing device configured to receive signals from the subject and operate signal-processing algorithms to elaborate stimulation parameter settings; one or more multi-electrode arrays suitable to cover a portion of the spinal cord of the subject; and an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) configured to receive the stimulation parameter settings from the signal processing device and simultaneously deliver independent current or voltage pulses to the one or more multiple electrode arrays, wherein the independent current or voltage pulses provide multipolar spatiotemporal stimulation of spinal circuits and/or dorsal roots. Such system advantageously enables effective control of nervous system functions in the subject by stimulating the spinal cord, such as the dorsal roots of the spinal cord, with spatiotemporal selectivity.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) comprising shocking electrodes configured to reduce the defibrillation threshold. The S-ICD may include a canister housing a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses heart rhythms and an electrode and lead assembly. The electrode and lead assembly may comprise a lead, at least one sensing electrode, and at least one shocking electrode. The at least one shocking electrode may extend over a length in the range of 50 to 110 millimeters and a width in the range of 1 to 40 millimeters.

Abstract: One or more virtual objects are displayed on an electronic programmer. The virtual objects represent initiating and terminating a delivery of a medical therapy to a patient. An actuation of the one or more virtual objects is sensed. The delivery of the medical therapy is terminated immediately if the actuation of the one or more virtual objects corresponds to terminating the delivery of the medical therapy. The delivery of the medical therapy is initiated in a delayed manner if the actuation of the one or more virtual objects corresponds to starting the delivery of the medical therapy. A battery level of the electronic programmer is monitored. At least one of the following tasks is performed if the battery level is lower than a target battery level: disallowing programming of the electronic programmer; terminating the delivery of an existing medical therapy; and precluding the delivery of a prospective medical therapy.

Abstract: A muscle fatigue output device is provided with a myoelectric measurement unit that acquires myoelectricity of a user, and a main control unit that determines fatigue of a muscle of the user on the basis of the myoelectricity. The main control unit (a) uses the myoelectricity to acquire a value for a frequency characteristic of the myoelectricity, (b) uses the myoelectricity to acquire a value for an amplitude characteristic of the myoelectricity, (c) acquires a ratio between the value for the frequency characteristic and the value for the amplitude characteristic as an index for the fatigue of the muscle of the user, and (d) outputs information regarding the fatigue of the muscle of the user, on the basis of the index for the fatigue of the muscle of the user.

Abstract: A lead having proximal and distal ends. At the distal end, a first branch includes a first biasing member and a first insulation covering. The first biasing member is disposed within the first insulation covering, which in turn includes a first inner surface. At the distal end, a second branch includes a second biasing member and a second insulation covering. The second biasing member is disposed within the second insulation covering, which in turn includes a second inner surface. The branches define a receiving channel and a stimulation region. The biasing members are movable away from each other to receive a target anatomy through the receiving channel and biasly movable toward each other to retain the target anatomy within the stimulation region. An electrode is disposed on one or both of the inner surfaces adjacent to the stimulation region, and is operable to stimulate the target anatomy.

Abstract: A medical device for sealing a defect in a body includes a wire frame that includes a plurality of wires that form a first occluding member and a second occluding member. In some embodiments, a sealing member is in contact with the wire frame. In some embodiments, the sealing member is configured to define one or more openings in the sealing member.

Abstract: A lead for placement on a diaphragm includes a sensor assembly, a connector, and a lead body. The sensor assembly includes a housing having a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface. The first end surface is intended to contact the diaphragm. The sensor assembly includes at least one fixation structure also associated with the first end surface. The fixation structure is configured to preserve the hermetic integrity of the intrathoracic cavity. The fixation structure may extend through the diaphragm and transition to a state that forms a seal between itself and tissue of the diaphragm. Alternatively, the fixation structure may surround the sensor assembly and form a seal between itself and the surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A system for controlled neuromodulation procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Systems and methods for imaging, monitoring, stimulating, and/or ablating neurological structures coupled to one or more organs of the lower urinary tract (LUT) are disclosed. Such processes may be used to alter the hormonal secretions from one or more organs, to modulate the growth of an organ, alter the growth rate or rate of perineural invasion of a tumor, or the like. In particular such processes may be used to slow, halt and/or reverse the growth of a prostate gland or a prostate tumor.

Abstract: Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include a plurality of field customization coils for customizing the magnetic charging field generated by the external charger such that the magnetic charging field is not radially symmetric. For example, one embodiment includes a primary coil with a plurality of field customization coils distributed radially with respect to the coil. The generated magnetic charging field can be rendered radially asymmetric by selectively activating or disabling the field customization coils in response to data quantifying the coupling between the various implants and the field customization coils in the charger.

Abstract: A nerve stimulation system including one or more of an annular frame, an electrically conductive element disposed in the annular frame, and a controller electrically coupled to the electrically conductive element and a power source.

Abstract: A feedthrough subassembly for an active implantable medical device includes a metallic ferrule having a conductive ferrule body, at least one surface disposed on a device side, and a ferrule opening passing through the at least one surface. An insulator body hermetically seals the ferrule opening of the conductive ferrule body by at least one of a first gold braze ceramic seal, a glass seal or a glass-ceramic seal. At least one hermetically sealed conductive pathway is disposed through the insulator body. At least one pocket formed in the at least one surface has a gold pocket pad disposed within. When the first gold braze ceramic seal is present, the first gold braze ceramic seal and the gold pocket pad are not physically touching one another.