Abstract: An implantable seizure monitor can include at least one sensing electrode and an electronics module configured to detect, record and/or log neurological events. For example, the electronics module can be configured to detect brainwaves indicative of seizures, such as, for example, epileptic seizures, and to create a log indicating when such seizures occur. The implantable seizure monitor can include a cushioning member made of a soft material and configured to be implantable between the epidermis and cranium of a patient.

Abstract: An implantable seizure monitor can include at least one sensing electrode and an electronics module configured to detect, record and/or log neurological events. For example, the electronics module can be configured to detect brainwaves indicative of seizures, such as, for example, epileptic seizures, and to create a log indicating when such seizures occur. The implantable seizure monitor can include a cushioning member made of a soft material and configured to be implantable between the epidermis and cranium of a patient.

Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.

Abstract: A device for assessing capillary vitality comprises an inflatable cuff, a blood flow sensor and a pressure sensor in communication with the cuff, a pressure instrument in fluid communication with the cuff for inflation and deflation thereof, a microprocessor coupled to the pressure instrument for controlling airflow, at least one metabolic sensor for measuring a metabolic condition, and a computer program executable by the microprocessor. The pressure instrument includes a source of pressurized air and a conduit connecting the source of pressurized air to the cuff. The microprocessor is arranged to receive inputs from the blood flow, pressure and metabolic sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: A method for performing an in-vivo calibration of a blood pressure sensor that is associated with a balloon of an in-vivo balloon system, the sensor and balloon being associated such that the sensor is in-vivo when the balloon is in-vivo. The balloon is inflated so that a gas pressure in the balloon system is indicative of a patient's blood pressure. The patient's blood pressure is monitored through two channels, the gas pressure and the sensor. The blood pressure measurements obtained by monitoring the gas pressure are used as reference, or “true,” blood pressure measurements to determine a mathematical relationship between blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor and the reference blood pressure measurements. In this manner, future blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor can be modified according to the mathematical relationship to generate calibrated blood pressure measurements.

Abstract: A power-supply starter apparatus for a capsule-type medical device that includes a container case internally retaining a capsule-type medical device having at least a intra-subject information acquiring unit and a power switch for switching power supply to each unit including the intra-subject information acquiring unit, and a starter that has a magnetic body and controls switching of the power supply by applying a magnetic field originating from the magnetic body to the power switch of the capsule-type medical device inside the container case, wherein the container case has an insertion/removal unit in which a space is formed where the magnetic body can be brought closer to the power switch and the starter is inserted/removed, and the insertion/removal unit and starter have a restriction unit for restricting rotation around an axis in an insertion/removal direction of the starter into/from the insertion/removal unit so that switching of the power supply is controlled only by an insertion/removal operation of

Abstract: An implant assembly is implanted in vivo within a vascular system in which a vessel divides at a furcation into two sub-vessels, each sub-vessel having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said vessel. An implant assembly is released into a vessel such as a pulmonary arterial vessel of a patient. The implant assembly has a diameter smaller than or substantially equal to the inner diameter of the vessel and larger than the inner diameter of each of the sub-vessels. The implant assembly is configured so that it moves downstream within the vessel along with the flow of blood. When the implant assembly reaches a furcation where the vessel divides, the implant assembly is too large and not sufficiently compliant to fit through either of the smaller branch vessels. The implant assembly thus lodges at the furcation, prevented from moving downstream by being too large and stiff to fit into the branch vessels, and prevented from moving upstream by the flow of blood through the arteries.

Abstract: A blood monitoring system is capable of monitoring the blood of a subject in vivo. The blood monitoring system comprises: 1) an array of movable microneedle micromachined within associated wells; 2) array of motion actuators able to move each needle in and out of their associated wells; 3) array of microvalves associated with each microneedle able to control the flow of air around the microneedle; 4) an array of chemical sensors inserted into patient by movable microneedles; 5) an array of inductors able to measure chemical concentration in the vicinity of inserted chemical sensors; 6) conducting vias that provide timed actuating signal signals from a control system to each motion actuator; 7) conducting vias that transmit signal produced by array of chemical sensors to the control system for processing, although the blood monitoring system can comprise other numbers and types of elements in other configurations.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring the vital signs of a user is disclosed herein. The monitoring device is preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to create a filtered vital sign signal used to generate a real-time vital sign for a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling neural prosthetic devices and electrophysiological recording equipment, and for using the same in clinical operation. Various embodiments of the invention are directed to an algorithm for autonomously isolating and maintaining neural action potential recordings. The algorithm may be used in connection with a neural interface microdrive capable of positioning electrodes to record signals from active neurons.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a biological interface system and related methods are disclosed. The biological interface system may comprise a sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals emanating from one or more living cells of a patient, a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor and process the multicellular signals to produce a processed signal, and a signal gate configured to receive the processed signal from the processing unit and an alternative signal generated by the system, the signal gate being configured to transmit a control signal to a controlled device based on either the processed signal or the alternative signal. A monitoring unit may receive system data and process the system data to produce a system status signal. The system status signal may be used to determine which of the processed signal and the alternative signal is to be used as the control signal.

Abstract: A plug capable of providing information relating to a physical or chemical property of a body fluid, or the presence or amount of a molecular component therein in a living organism is disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment plug is capable of being inserted into a portion of a human eyelid in order to provide information relating to tear fluid is disclosed. This embodiment plug includes a body having a passage which allows for the natural flow of tear fluid therethrough. In addition, a sensing mechanism is provided which is capable of measuring, for example, glucose levels in the body of a patient through the analysis of the tear fluid. Such plug may further be designed so as to double as a punctual plug useful in preventing dry eye. Methods of utilizing and implanting such plugs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing multiple data receiver units in a data monitoring and management system such as analyte monitoring system where a first data receiver includes all of the functionalities for the data monitoring and management system receiver unit, and a second data receiver unit is configured with a limited functions to provide application specific convenience to the user or patient is disclosed.

Abstract: This patent document describes, among other things, systems and methods for monitoring lung fluid status, such as monitoring the presence or absence of pulmonary edema, in a subject using information about the cardiac impedance-indicating component of a measured impedance-indicating signal. In various examples, an amplitude or contribution change over multiple cardiac cycles of the cardiac impedance-indicating component is used to compute and provide a lung status indication. In various examples, a decreasing amplitude or contribution trend of the cardiac impedance-indicating component signifies an increasing amount of fluid in the subject's lungs, as a greater portion of an injected thoracic impedance measurement current formerly traversing the heart is rerouted through the lung due to the less resistance path created by the fluid accumulation therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based upon comparisons of long-term and short-term representations of physiological signals. Other embodiments include prediction of seizure activity based upon analysis of physiological signal levels. An embodiment of the invention monitors the quality of physiological signals, and may be able to compensate for signals of low signal quality. A further embodiment of the invention includes detection of seizure activity following the delivery of therapy.

Abstract: A sensor for carbon dioxide detection may be adapted to have reduced water permeability. A sensor is provided that is appropriate for use in an aqueous medium. The sensor has a barrier with reduced water permeability, but that is permeable to carbon dioxide, that separates the sensor components from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.

Abstract: A microsensor array system, comprising a pad, a plurality of actuators attached to the pad, and a plurality of microprobes, wherein substantially each microprobe in the plurality of microprobes is attached to a respective actuator in the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.