Abstract: Presented herein are dissolution barriers for use with tissue-stimulating prostheses. As described further below, a tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprises a stimulating assembly including an elongate insulating carrier member and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed along the carrier member. A continuous dissolution barrier is disposed on the surface of the stimulating assembly so as to substantially encapsulate/enclose the plurality of electrode contacts and the carrier member. The continuous dissolution barrier is configured to inhibit in situ dissolution of the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: An intracardiac pacemaker system is configured to produce physiological atrial event signals by a sensing circuit of a ventricular intracardiac pacemaker and select a first atrial event input as the physiological atrial event signals. The ventricular intracardiac pacemaker detects atrial events from the selected first atrial event input, determines if input switching criteria are met, and switches from the first atrial event input to a second atrial event input in response to the input switching criteria being met. The second atrial event input includes broadcast atrial event signals produced by a second implantable medical device and received by the ventricular intracardiac pacemaker.

Abstract: A method, includes receiving an anatomical map of a patient organ, the anatomical map including properties obtained at respective locations on a first surface of the organ. A design line produced on a second surface of the anatomical map, is received. One or more of the properties that, when falling along the design line, will be visualized thereon, are selected, and the one or more properties falling along the design line, are visualized.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber and a laser probe assembly with a probe tip that houses the fiber. In certain aspects, the fiber includes a core, an outer cladding surrounding the core, and an end face at a proximal and/or distal end of the fiber. The core is configured to transmit a laser light beam while the core and the outer cladding are both configured to transmit an illumination light. In certain aspects, a surface area of the end face corresponding to a cross-section of at least the outer cladding is treated with a roughening or polishing process to modulate an illumination light output angle of the fiber. Using a fiber that is configured to transmit a laser light beam as well as a wide-angle illumination light allows for a more compact fiber and probe tip, allowing for medical procedures that require a narrower probe.

Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Abstract: This disclosure provides one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method. The method includes storing geometry data representing a primary geometry of a cardiac envelope that includes nodes distributed across the cardiac envelope and geometry of a body surface that includes locations where electrical signals are measured. The body surface is spaced apart from the cardiac envelope. The method also includes perturbing the primary geometry of the cardiac envelope a given distance and direction to define the perturbed geometry of the cardiac envelope including nodes spaced from the nodes of the primary geometry. The method also includes computing reconstructed bipolar electrical signals on the nodes of the primary cardiac envelope based on the electrical signals measured from the body surface and the geometry data, including the primary and perturbed geometries of the cardiac envelope.

Abstract: A graphical representation may be displayed including at least a plurality of transducer graphical elements, each transducer graphical element of the plurality of transducer graphical elements representative of a respective transducer of a plurality of transducers of a transducer-based device. A set of user input may be received including an instruction set to reposition a first transducer graphical element in a state in which the first transducer graphical element is located at a first location in the graphical representation and a second transducer graphical element is located at a second location in the graphical representation, the second location closer to a predetermined location in the graphical representation than the first location. In response to conclusion of receipt of the set of user input, the first transducer graphical element may be repositioned from the first location in the graphical representation to the predetermined location in the graphical representation.

Abstract: A medical device includes a first link, a second link, and a band. A proximal end portion of the first link is coupled to a shaft. A proximal end portion of the second link is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of first link about a first axis. The distal end portion of the second link includes a connector coupled to a tool member that is rotatable relative to the second link about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. The first link defines a first guide channel and the second link defines a second guide channel. A distal end of the band is disposed within the first guide channel and the second guide channel, and is coupled to the tool member. The second link is rotatable relative to the first link about the first axis when the distal end of the band is moved.

Abstract: A patient state monitoring system and a method for monitoring patient state are disclosed. The patient state monitoring system includes a monitoring device and a monitoring module communicationally connected to the monitoring device, the monitoring module being worn on the patient's body. The patient state monitoring system also includes a processor that obtains parameters, and sets the operating mode of a monitoring module according to the obtained parameters, where the operating mode of the monitoring module comprises a continuous monitoring module and an intermittent monitoring mode. By use of the patient state monitoring system and method, during the monitoring of a patient, strict monitoring of the user's physical condition can be satisfied and the processing of redundant data can be reduced, thereby improving monitoring efficiency and quality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method to track cardiac health of a patient is described. The method includes communicating, via a mobile device, to a cardiac device worn by the patient, wherein the cardiac device includes at least one sensor. The method also includes receiving cardiac device data from the cardiac device and filtering the cardiac device data based at least in part on patient logic rules. The method includes pushing the cardiac device data to one or more personnel based at least in part on the patient logic rules.

Abstract: Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace/sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted as described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment proximal to the first electrode segment by a distance. The leads may include at least one pace/sense electrode, which in some instances, is located between the first defibrillation electrode segment and the second defibrillation electrode segment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring device embedded into the construct of a controller (e.g., video game controller, steering wheel etc.) to monitor a user's heart health and diagnose various conditions (e.g., AFib, tachycardia, bradycardia, etc.). The controller may comprise a set of electrodes including electrodes to contact the user's hands and one or more electrodes on the back of the controller that can be used to contact the user's extremities as a 3rd contact point to provide additional leads for higher accuracy ECG sensing. The set of electrodes may be positioned at locations on the controller where the user's hands are relatively stable, thus minimizing motion artifacts caused by muscular movement (thereby allowing for signal stability and longevity).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat inflammation including adjusting the stimulation based on one or more metric sensitive to patient response. The one or more metrics may include heart rate variability, level of T regulatory cells, particularly memory T regulatory cells, temperature, etc. Stimulation may be provided through an implantable microstimulator.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable medical system (WMS) for an ambulatory patient, which can be a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, analyzes the patient's ECG signal to generate a detection outcome. The WMS also has an ambulatory user interface that outputs a human-visible indication. A programming device, such as a PC, a tablet, etc., establishes a communication link with the WMS during an in-person session with the patient. The programming device may include a programming screen that reproduces the human-visible indication in real time. An advantage can be that the person programming the WMS need not strain to look also at the ambulatory user interface at the time they are looking at the programming device. Another advantage can be that the patient will recognize that he or she is better protected, and have their confidence in the WMS increased, and therefore better comply with wearing the WMS as required.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during a surgical procedure, particularly a spinal surgical procedure. The system features a portable robot arm with end effector for precise positioning of a surgical tool. The system requires only minimal training by surgeons/operators, is intuitive to use, and has a small footprint with significantly reduced obstruction of the operating table. The system works with existing, standard surgical tools, does not required increased surgical time or preparatory time, and safely provides the enhanced precision achievable by robotic-assisted systems.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and method for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The system comprises one or more electrode pads configured for placement on a patient's face on either a lower eyelid, an upper eyelid or both the lower and upper eyelids, a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code. The program code is executable by a processor to cause the processor to transmit an instruction to the controller to initiate a biofeedback indicator wherein the biofeedback does not cause muscle contraction.

Abstract: Implantable medical electrical leads having electrodes arranged such that a defibrillation coil electrode and a pace/sense electrode(s) are concurrently positioned substantially over the ventricle when implanted as described. The leads include an elongated lead body having a distal portion and a proximal end, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body, a defibrillation electrode located along the distal portion of the lead body, wherein the defibrillation electrode includes a first electrode segment and a second electrode segment proximal to the first electrode segment by a distance. The leads may include at least one pace/sense electrode, which in some instances, is located between the first defibrillation electrode segment and the second defibrillation electrode segment.

Abstract: An intraoperative nerve monitoring system for monitoring nerve activity within a trachea of a patient. The intraoperative nerve monitoring system includes an endotracheal (ET) tube assembly, which includes an ET tube partially inserted within a trachea and a surface electrode wrapped about the ET tube. The ET tube is configured to monitor nerve activity when the ET tube is partially inserted within the trachea and is contacting a target tissue and to output a nerve signal. The intraoperative nerve monitoring system also includes a pressure sensor assembly configured to sense an amount of pressure between the surface electrode and the target tissue and a console including an output device configured to output indicators based on the monitored nerve activity and the sensed amount of pressure to facilitate proper placement of the ET tube in the trachea and to indicate nerve activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith.

Abstract: A medical device can include a housing, an energy storage module within the housing to store an electrical charge, and a defibrillation port to guide via electrodes the stored electrical charge to a person in need of medical assistance. The medical device can also include a processor to analyze patient physiological signal(s) that indicate heart viability. Positive measures of heart viability measures can qualify the patient for a customized treatment paradigm.