Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to generate ideal or near ideal profiles for regulation of the volume of fluid flow in a drive system of a pump for an externally mechanically supported heart, pressure in or near the pump, or measured strain/strain rates of the supported heart, based on an estimate/measurement of the heart's size. A part of the techniques for regulation may focus on achieving mechanical synchrony with the intrinsic cyclic pump function of a partially functional heart. The techniques do not fundamentally rely on hemodynamic measurements to function. However, when hemodynamic measures are available, those measures can be fed to control algorithms to increase the efficacy of regulation to restore the heart's pump function.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that enable electroporation of the cells of a recipient of a tissue-stimulating prostheses while the tissue-stimulating prosthesis is implanted in the recipient. Tissue-stimulating prostheses in accordance with embodiments presented herein are configured such that the stimulation electronics (e.g., current sources and integrated circuit) of the prosthesis are not exposed to the high voltages used in electroporation.

Abstract: Auricular nerve stimulation techniques for addressing patient disorders, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a signal generator having instructions to generate an electrical therapy signal, at least a portion of the electrical therapy signal having a frequency at or above the patient's auditory frequency limit, an amplitude in an amplitude range from about 0.1 mA to about 10 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 5 microseconds to 30 microseconds. The system further includes at least one earpiece having a contoured outer surface shaped to fit against the skin of the patient's external ear, external ear canal, or both, the at least one earpiece carrying at least two transcutaneous electrodes positioned to be in electrical communication with the auricular innervation of the patient, e.g., the auricular vagal nerve.

Abstract: A method of treating an ailment suffered by a patient using one or more electrodes adjacent spinal column tissue of the patient, comprises delivering electrical modulation energy from the one or more electrodes to the spinal column tissue in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform having a positive phase and a negative phase, thereby modulating the spinal column tissue to treat the ailment. An implantable electrical modulation system, comprises one or more electrical terminals configured for being coupled to one or more modulation leads, output modulation circuitry capable of outputting electrical modulation energy to the electrical terminal(s) in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform, and control circuitry configured for modifying a shape of the continuous bi-phasic waveform, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical modulation energy outputted to the electrode(s).

Abstract: A neural stimulation and recording electrode assembly includes a selectively deformable guide tube. The guide tube includes a plurality of sequentially coupled connecting structures, wherein each connecting structure of the plurality of connecting structures has a respective central axis, and wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting structures is selectively deformable relative to the central axis of a sequential connecting structure of the plurality of connecting structures such that the central axis of the selectively deformable connecting structure is angularly oriented relative to the central axis of the sequential connecting structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device.

Abstract: A system for stimulating a sympathetic chain includes an electrode assembly that is configured to attach to a bone in proximity to a targeted portion of the sympathetic chain. The electrode assembly includes a cathode and an anode. The system also includes a power supply connected to the electrode assembly and configured to deliver power to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly generates an electrical field between the cathode and the anode when power is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electrical field reaches the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain to provide electrical stimulation to the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating and/or averting cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are provided. A device comprises a housing including an energy source, a contact surface and an electrode. The energy source is configured to transmit an electrical impulse to the electrode through the outer skin surface to a vagus nerve of the patient. The electrical impulse comprises bursts of about 2 pulses to about 20 pulses with each of the bursts having a frequency of about 3 Hz to about 100 Hz. The electrical impulse modulates the vagus nerve to treat a cardiac arrhythmia of the patient. A system includes a sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of a patient's heart, such as heart rate variability, and a controller configured to activate the stimulator based on the physiological parameter to cause the stimulator to generate the electrical impulse.

Abstract: A method of deploying an interventional instrument comprises identifying a target structure within a patient anatomy in an anatomic frame of reference. The method further comprises determining a target region representing a location of the target structure in the the anatomic frame of reference with respect to a current location of the interventional instrument and recording a first engagement location of the interventional instrument within the target. Determining the target region includes determining a probabilistic distribution of the location of the target structure relative to the current location of the interventional instrument and associating each of the plurality of target points with a probability of engaging the target structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ablation instruments and methods of use thereof, in particular to ablation catheters and methods for an automated sweeping ablation element. The automated sweeping ablation element is configured to provide ablative energy to an initial ablation site and move a predetermined number of degrees to one or both sides of the site in an arcuate path using a sweeping motion while still providing the ablative energy. The sweeping movement of the ablation element can be automated via input parameters entered by a user via a graphical user interface or other device (controller).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual, comprising means for obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of at least one neuronal stimulation means relative to at least one afferent axon targeting at least one sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual and means for determining at least one neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to at least one afferent axon via the at least one neuronal stimulation means based at least in part on the obtained spatial information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting infectious pathogens in a saliva sample by using a Raman spectrometer to obtain Raman spectrum data of the saliva sample. A score is determined based on the Raman spectrum data using a machine learning, the score indicates whether an infectious pathogen is present in the saliva sample. In certain aspects, the methods and systems operate to determine if an individual is infected with COVID-19 based on Raman spectrum data of a saliva sample of the individual.

Abstract: A bed includes: a bed body having a space for a user to rest; a monitoring device connected to the bed body, the monitoring device including a pressure detecting mechanism, a signal processing unit electrically coupled to the pressure detecting mechanism, and a monitoring unit electrically coupled to the signal processing unit. The pressure detecting mechanism is configured to detect pressure variations of the bed body, generate pressure data, and transmit the pressure data to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is configured to process the pressure data and generate processed signal data. The monitoring unit is configured to monitor the processed signal data.

Abstract: A method of cataract surgery in an eye of a patient includes identifying a feature selected from the group consisting of an axis, a meridian, and a structure of an eye by corneal topography and forming fiducial mark incisions with a laser beam along the axis, meridian or structure in the cornea outside the optical zone of the eye. A laser cataract surgery system a laser source, a topography measurement system, an integrated optical subsystem, and a processor in operable communication with the laser source, corneal topography subsystem and the integrated optical system. The processor includes a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising instructions to determine one of an axis, meridian and structure of an eye of the patient based on the measurements received from topography measurement system, and direct the treatment beam so as to incise radial fiducial mark incisions.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices, compositions, and kits for monitoring neuromodulation efficacy based on changes in the level or activity of one or more target biomarkers. One aspect includes a comparison of baseline and post-modulation levels of one or more biomarkers in bodily fluid that have each been collected from a human subject at a relevant time, and that may be used to assess the neuromodulation efficacy. The post-neuromodulation levels for the one or more biomarkers may be collected from the human subject within about 5 minutes to about 14 days post-neuromodulation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes delivering to a native valve annulus (e.g., a native mitral valve annulus) of a heart a prosthetic heart valve (200) having a body (242) expandable from a collapsed, delivery configuration to an expanded, deployed configuration. The method can further include, after the delivering, causing the prosthetic heart valve to move from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration. With the prosthetic heart valve in its deployed configuration, an anchoring tether (191) extending from the prosthetic heart valve can be secured to a wall (Vw) of the heart (H). An electrode (189) coupled to at least one of the prosthetic heart valve or the anchoring tether can then be used to at least one of pace the heart or sense a signal associated with the heart.

Abstract: A neurostimulation (NS) system and method are provided. The system includes a power supply having positive and negative terminals. The negative terminal defines a reference ground. An array of electrodes includes first and second active electrodes for delivering stimulation therapy configured to be located proximate to neural tissue of interest that is associated with a target region. A control circuit is configured to control delivery of stimulation current for a NS therapy between the first and second electrodes. A current regulator (CR) circuit is connected to, and configured to control current flow through, at least the first electrode during delivery of the stimulation therapy under direction of the control circuit. A floating power supply is connected across power supply terminals of the CR circuit. The CR circuit and floating power supply are coupled to a floating ground node that is electrically separate from the reference ground.

Abstract: A device for delivery of electrical current to an area of the skin includes a first pad shaped in the form of a base having four finger-shaped protrusions; a second pad shaped in the form of a palm having a single thumb-shaped protrusion, where the first pad and the second pad each comprises a conductive layer and preferably has tabs on the edges; a first electrical connection system electrically connected to the conductive layer of the first pad; a second electrical connection system electrically connected to the conductive layer of the second pad; a controller circuit connected to the first electrical connection system and second electrical connection system; and a wearable power source. Alternatively, the device may also have the shape of a foot or other body part.

Abstract: An apparatus for relieving pain in a region of the body of a user by contacting electrodes to a surface of the body of the user at the region and providing a series of electrical impulses to the region, the apparatus including: (a) at least two electrodes adapted to contact a surface of a body of the user; (b) a control unit; and (c) a signal generator, associated with the control unit and responsive thereto, the signal generator and the control unit adapted to operative connect to a power supply, the signal generator adapted, in an operative mode, to provide a series of electrical impulses to the surface of the body, via the electrodes, the series including a plurality of cycles, each of the cycles having a positive voltage pulse and a negative voltage pulse, wherein a frequency of the plurality of cycles is optionally within a range of 60-150 cycles per second, wherein a time-averaged voltage amplitude (Vap) of the positive voltage pulse, over an entire duration (Tppositive) thereof, is 20-90 Volts, and whe

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to the stimulating of tissue including nerve tissue based on combinations of capacitors and resistors. Application and removal of voltage to an electrical circuit is taught as part of a method of creating voltage waveforms for nerve and other tissue with such waveforms creating neural signals. The electrical apparatus taught may, include a first electrical node grounded through a first resistor; a second electrical node grounded through a second resistor; a first capacitor connected to both the first electrical node and the second electrical node; a second capacitor separating the second electrical node from a biological grounding point and direct current sources connected to the two nodes.