Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for extravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of a pathology-affected site in a subject, the method comprising providing said site with a net electrical charge for a period of time by subjecting the subject to a flux of ionized gas molecules whereby is provided an electrical current between said site and tissue outside said site.

Abstract: A method of forming an implantable electrode array that includes one or more packaged control modules. A control module is packaged by mounting the module to a substrate and forming a containment ring around the module. A conformal coating is disposed over the surface of the module to cover the carrier. Within the containment ring, the conformal coating hardens to form a non-porous shell around the control module. The one or more packaged control modules are placed in a flexible array. Electrodes that are mounted to or embedded in the flexible carrier are connected to the one or more control modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing between tissues being stimulated is provided. The apparatus includes an electric source capable of generating an applied electric field across a region of tissue and/or a means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue relative to the applied electric field and an interface component, such interface component creating an interface between the region of tissue and the applied electric field or the means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for stimulating and monitoring biological tissue. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for stimulating and monitoring tissue, the system including a first energy source, a second energy source, and an imaging device, in which the system is configured such that the first and second energy sources target the same region of tissue and the combined effect of the first and second energy sources stimulates the region of tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently implanted or catheter based.

Abstract: A defibrillation circuit comprising a gas discharge tube and a light source arranged to pre-energize the gas discharge tube in order to provide predictable breakdown conditions of the gas discharge tube. The gas discharge tube may be used as an overvoltage protection device for the defibrillation circuit or for certain parts of the defibrillation circuit. An overvoltage protection device for medical devices is also described. The overvoltage protection device comprises a gas discharge tube and a light source arranged to pre-energize the gas discharge tube in order to provide predictable breakdown conditions of the gas discharge tube.

Abstract: A method is provided of analyzing a cardiac electrogram using a computer. In one step, a determination is made as to a plurality of cycle lengths between a plurality of activation peaks of the cardiac electrogram. In another step, a determination is made as to whether a mean of the plurality of cycle lengths meets at least one criteria. The method may be used to iteratively adjust a detection threshold level for detecting atrial fibrillation based on the cardiac electrogram.

Abstract: A method for operating an external component of a cochlear implant hearing system. The external component includes a speech processor module operable in a stand-alone mode of operation and a body-worn mode of operation, and a protective case. The method includes operating the speech processor module in the stand-alone mode, determining when the speech processor module is mounted in the case, and operating the speech processor module in the body-worn mode in response to determining that the speech processor module is mounted in the case.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously detecting surface pressure and blood volume of an object and a method of detecting the same are provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a light emitter disposed on the PCB which emits light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength; a first light receiver which detects light of the first wavelength and a second light receiver which detects light of the second wavelength; a transparent elastic body on the PCB which covers the light emitter, the first light receiver, and the second light receiver; and a dichroic coating formed on the transparent elastic body. The dichroic coating reflects light of the first wavelength and transmits light of the second wavelength.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating hypertension, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney.

Abstract: A method for forming an electropotential map, including: measuring locations of points on a surface of a body organ, and measuring electrical potentials of a subset of the points. The method further includes assigning respective resistances to line segments joining the points so as to define a resistor mesh, and generating an electropotential map of the surface by applying an harmonic function to the resistor mesh responsive to the measured electrical potentials.

Abstract: A system for electrically stimulating and/or detecting bioelectrical signals of a user comprising: an array of permeable bodies configured to absorb a solution that facilitates electrical coupling with a body region of the user; a housing defining an array of protrusions conforming to the body region and comprising: an array of channels distributed across the array of protrusions, each channel at least partially surrounding a permeable body, configured to deliver the solution to the permeable body, and comprising a barrier that prevents passage of the permeable body past the barrier, and a manifold configured to distribute the solution to the array of channels; and a coupling subsystem comprising a first electrical coupling region in electrical communication with an interior of the manifold, wherein the first electrical coupling region is configured to couple to a second electrical coupling region that couples the first electrical coupling region to the electronics subsystem.

Abstract: While detecting a cardiac arrhythmia, a mapping electrode of a probe is used to associate a local activation time with a first location in a region of interest in the heart. While detecting an absence of the cardiac arrhythmia, the local activation time is associated with a second location in the heart. Electrical data of the first location is assigned to the second location, and an electroanatomic map of the heart is generated that includes the second location in association with the assigned electrical data of the first location.

Abstract: A physiologic sensor pod comprises a housing, and first and second electrodes on a bottom surface of the housing and spaced apart from one another. Within the housing is a battery, a battery charging circuit, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor circuit powered by the battery and adapted to sense an ECG signal, and a reset detection circuit. The battery charging circuit is adapted to charge the battery when the first and second electrodes of the physiologic sensor pod are placed in contact with first and second electrical contacts of a charging unit. The ECG sensor circuit is adapted to obtain an ECG signal while the first and second electrodes are placed against a user's chest. The reset detection circuit is adapted to output a reset signal, which causes the physiologic sensor pod to be reset, when a voltage between the first and second electrodes is greater than a reset threshold level.

Abstract: Methods for therapeutic renal denervation are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to methods that block, reduce and/or inhibit renal sympathetic nerve activity to achieve a reduction in central sympathetic tone. Renal sympathetic nerve activity may be altered or modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The achieved reduction in central sympathetic tone may carry several therapeutic benefits across many disease states.

Abstract: A physiologic sensor pod comprises a housing including first and second electrodes on a bottom surface thereof, and a third electrode on a top surface thereof. Within the housing is a battery, a battery charging circuit, an ECG sensor circuit, switch circuitry, and a controller adapted to control at least a portion of the switch circuitry. When the switch circuitry is in a first configuration the first and second electrodes are connected to the battery charging circuit. When the switch circuitry is in a second configuration, the first and second electrodes are connected, respectively, to first and second inputs of the ECG sensor circuit. When the switch circuitry is in a third configuration, one or both of the first and second electrodes is/are coupled to a first input of an ECG sensor circuit and the third electrode is coupled to a second input of the ECG sensor circuit.

Abstract: A device for providing electrical current treatment includes an enclosure body with an upper surface and a lower surface located opposite to the upper surface. The device further includes a first electrode and a second electrode on the lower surface for delivering an electric current through an object in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. The device further includes an electric motor for vibrating the apparatus and a light emitter. The device further includes a processor for controlling the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, where the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. The device further includes a power button for powering on or off the apparatus and a battery configured to supply power to the first electrode, the second electrode, the processor, and the light emitter.

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus or method can include or use a non-transluminally implantantable blood pump housing, which can be sized and shaped to be implanted at an aortic valve of a human subject, the pump housing can include: a pump housing cross-sectional profile size that is larger than is passable via a blood vessel of the human subject; and a power connection, configured for being electrically connected to an intravascular lead that is sized and shaped to extend from the pump housing through a subclavian artery of the human subject.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system provides an increase in pacing rate as a combination of responses to three characteristics of a relative-temperature signal: a dip, a positive slope, and a positive magnitude. The relative-temperature signal is the difference between a short-term and a long-term temperature average. A dip produces a limited and temporary rate increase having a first proportionality. A positive slope produces a rate increase with a second proportionality. A positive magnitude produces a rate increase with a third proportionality. The dip response seeds the slope response to provide a seamless and immediate rate transition after a dip. The cardiac rhythm management system limits and filters the sum of the rate increases to provide a sensor indicated rate, which is used to stimulate the heart.