Abstract: The present disclosure introduces systems and methods to measure fluid in a body segment. In one embodiment, a computer system used to measure fluid in a body segment is described. A current generation module may be used to emit an electrical through at least one body segment. The electrical current may be used to measure fluid-volume content of the at least one body segment. An electrode module having a plurality of electrodes may be attached to the current generation module. A signal-processing module may be used to measure changes in the electrical current through at least one body segment. Further, an impedance module may be used to calculate fluid-volume change in at least one body segment and determine the flow of fluid through the at least one body segment. Other embodiments also are described.

Abstract: The catheter device comprises a motor located at the proximal end of the catheter device and a drive shaft, extending from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device, for driving a rotating element located at the distal end of the catheter device. The catheter device also comprises a hose-like catheter body which encompasses the drive shaft and extends from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device. At the proximal end of the catheter device, the drive shaft is connected to a motor by a clutch. The clutch is a magnetic clutch with a proximal and a distal magnet unit. The proximal magnet unit is connected to the motor and the distal magnet unit to the drive shaft. The distal magnet unit is mounted fluid-tight in a clutch housing. The proximal end of the catheter body makes a fluid-tight connection with the clutch housing.

Abstract: A nozzle head (12) for a powder jet device (10) for use in applying dental material, the nozzle head (12) comprising: a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) transitioning into one another; the first portion (16) adjacent a first end (20) of the nozzle head (12) having a coupling (22) for removably connecting the nozzle head (12) to a hand piece (14) of the powder jet device (10); the second portion (18) adjacent a second end (26) of the nozzle head (12) forming a nozzle outlet (28) for the dental material; the second portion (18) comprising at least a first fluid channel (30) which is formed between the nozzle outlet (28) and a channel inlet (32); wherein the channel inlet (32) is arranged at the transition (34) between the first portion (16) and the second portion (18) between the nozzle outlet (28) and the coupling (22).

Abstract: The catheter device comprises a motor located at the proximal end of the catheter device and a drive shaft, extending from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device, for driving a rotating element located at the distal end of the catheter device. The catheter device also comprises a hose-like catheter body which encompasses the drive shaft and extends from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device. At the proximal end of the catheter device, the drive shaft is connected to a motor by a clutch. The clutch is a magnetic clutch with a proximal and a distal magnet unit. The proximal magnet unit is connected to the motor and the distal magnet unit to the drive shaft. The distal magnet unit is mounted fluid-tight in a clutch housing. The proximal end of the catheter body makes a fluid-tight connection with the clutch housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves which comprises a soft apparel provided with multi-pad electrodes on one side and activating means on the other side, wherein the activating means are adapted to allow activation and control of a delivered electrical pulse to each multi-pad electrode separately.

Abstract: A heart monitoring method is disclosed including an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone coupled to a controller. The method proceeds with positioning a transducer in a person's ear in acoustic communication with the tympanum. Signals from the transducer are processed to determine the presence of pulsatile blood flow. The heart monitor may be incorporated into a portable media playback device alternating between playback and monitoring mode or performing both simultaneously using one earphone for each function. The heart monitor may be incorporated into a defibrillator to sense the presence of blood flow for use in a shock delivery decision.

Abstract: A watchdog unit receives stay-alive signals from a programming device during programming of an implantable medical device. The watchdog unit maintains a watchdog timer, and resets the timer upon receipt of each stay-alive signal. If the watchdog timer expires, the watchdog unit changes a mode of operation of the implantable device, e.g., places the implantable medical device into a known, safe state. For example, the watchdog unit may cause the implantable medical device to suspend delivery of therapy, perform a power-on reset, and/or recall a known, safe, therapy delivery program.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead suitable for left sided cardiac placement, the implantable medical electrical lead having an external blood contacting surface having an external coating including a monolayer of at least one biological agent that promotes endothelialization covalently attached to a polymeric lead surface.

Abstract: A method and system for creating shear stress and endothelial mechanotransduction through neuromuscular stimulation of the muscle pump. Chronic application a minimum of 30 days triggers the autocrine and paracrine processes which elevates production of vasoactive substances including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, superoxide dismutase, thrombomodulin, glutathion, Krupple-like factor 2 and many others. Chronic application also promotes angiogenesis and development of collateral circulation. This is a cost-effective, non-invasive, drug-free therapy to treat vascular dysfunction and ameliorate or reverse its effects on cardiovascular health.

Abstract: Provided herein is a self-contained physiological measuring device adapted for disposition within a patient body cavity, primarily the vagina, for an extended period of time (e.g., 6-48 hours or more). While disposed within the body cavity, the device periodically measures one or more physiological parameters at known locations within the body cavity. In addition to measuring such physiological parameters, the device is operative to store such measurements to memory for subsequent download/processing upon removal of the device from the body cavity and/or upon wireless interrogation.

Abstract: Embodiments of portable cranial anatomy injury evaluation systems, apparatus, and methods are described generally herein where the system and apparatus may include multiple signal generation devices including photonic, acoustic, and electrical signals. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may be configured into a sensing only mode in which the IMD does not delivery therapy. For example, the IMD may be configured to operate in a sensing only mode to reduce the undesirable effects that may be caused by external fields, such as those generated by an MRI device. However, there may be instances, such as a change in the patient's condition, in which it may be desirable to transition from the sensing only mode to a pacing mode to provide therapy. In accordance with the techniques described herein, the IMD monitors signals on one or more leads coupled to the medical device while operating in the sensing only mode and transitions to a pacing mode in response to not detecting a minimum number of signals on the one or more leads.

Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: a light source unit; a measurement probe including a fiber bundle, an illumination fiber that illuminates a living tissue with a illumination light, and a plurality of light-receiving fibers that receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered at the living tissue; a detection unit that receives the return light of the illumination light detected by the plurality of respective light-receiving fibers, and performs photoelectric conversion to detect respective signal intensities; and an association unit that associates the respective signal intensities detected by the detection unit with distances from the illumination fiber to the respective light-receiving fibers on an end face of a distal end portion of the measurement probe, when light having an intensity gradient around the illumination fiber is projected to the end face of the distal end portion of the measurement probe.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: A stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator having a sealed chamber and an electronic subassembly disposed in the sealed chamber. Feed through pins are coupled to the electronic subassembly and extend out of the sealed chamber. Feed through interconnects are coupled to the electronic subassembly via the feed through pins. At least one tab is disposed on at least one feed through interconnect. The tab(s) are configured and arranged to flex away from the feed through interconnect and against a side of the feed through pin. A feed through interconnect assembly includes an assembly frame; feed through interconnects extending from the assembly frame; a first contact pad and a second contact pad disposed on at least one of the feed through interconnects; and a tab formed on a first contact pad of at least one of the feed through interconnects.

Abstract: A blood pump has a hollow body in which an impeller with a spiral blading produces an axial propulsion of blood along the impeller, as well as an at least partly actively stabilized magnetic bearing device and a hydrodynamic bearing device for the impeller. The impeller may be set into a rotation about a rotation axis of the impeller with a motor stator located outside the hollow body. The hollow body has an inlet for the flow of blood into the hollow body in an inflow direction which is essentially parallel to the rotation axis, and an outlet for the outflow of the blood out of the hollow body in an outflow direction which is offset to the rotation axis of the impeller to produce a non-zero outflow angle (?) between the inflow direction and the outflow direction. A total artificial heart can be formed from two such blood pumps.

Abstract: An implantable medical elongated member extends between a proximal end configured to be coupled to a medical device and a distal end. The implantable elongated member includes one or more fixation elements coupled to at least a middle portion and/or a proximal portion of the elongated member in order to substantially fix a position of the elongated member to tissue at one or more intermediate points between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated member.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a system with a fail-safe mode for remote programming of medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). During a remote programming session, an adverse event, such as a programming session failure, may prevent proper completion of a programming or result in improper programming due to data corruption or other factors. If a programming session is not completed correctly, the IMD is susceptible to improper operation, possibly exposing a patient to delivery of unnecessary or inappropriate therapies. A fail-safe mode reduces the likelihood of improper operation following a programming session failure. The fail-safe mode defines one or more fail-safe operations designed to preserve proper operation of the IMD. In some embodiments, the fail-safe operations include notifying a person concerning the failure of the programming session, modifying programming parameters within the implantable medical device, and delivering a therapy to a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. This neural fulcrum zone may be identified by monitoring a patient's response to incrementally increased intensity settings at a first frequency. If the incremental intensity increases do not result in the identification of the neural fulcrum zone, the frequency may be changed to provide finer resolution identification of the neural fulcrum zone.

Abstract: A multi-modal electrotherapy apparatus including circuitry for administering defibrillation therapy and for administering medium voltage therapy (MVT) adapted to reduce the side effects of MVT. The electrotherapy apparatus is configured to selectively deliver MVT to vectors not involving the ventricles and defibrillation therapy to vectors involving the ventricles. The apparatus can use biphasic waveforms configured to avoid capture of cardiac cells during MVT. The electrotherapy apparatus can minimize the risk of applying MVT at inappropriate times, such as during atrial fibrillation or where conventional ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation therapy is more appropriate.