Abstract: Embodiments include a medical implant including a fixing device with at least one fixing element to fix the implant at a site of implantation. The implant includes a belt drive that rotates an actuation device, wherein the actuation device is coupled to the fixing device and converts the rotary movement into a longitudinal movement of the fixing device. Embodiments include an insertion device to insert the medical implant.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating ablation of nerve tissue of a subject is provided, comprising (1) an ablation unit, configured to be percutaneously advanced to a site adjacent to a first portion of the nerve tissue; (2) at least one electrode unit, coupled to the ablation unit, and configured to be percutaneously advanced to a site adjacent to a second portion of the nerve tissue, and to initiate unidirectional action potentials in the nerve tissue, such that the unidirectional action potentials propagate toward the first portion of the nerve tissue; and (3) a control unit, configured: (a) to drive the ablation unit to ablate, at least in part, the first portion of the nerve tissue of the subject, and (b) to drive the at least one electrode unit to initiate the unidirectional action potentials by applying an excitatory current to the second portion of the nerve tissue.

Abstract: An implantable system includes terminals, a pulse generator, a sensing circuit, separate signal processing channels, and first, second and third multiplexers. The terminals are connected to electrodes via conductors of leads. Different subsets of the electrodes are used to define different electrical pulse delivery vectors, and different subsets of the electrodes are used to define different sensing vectors. The pulse generator produces electrical pulses, and the sensing circuit senses a signal indicative of an impedance associated with a selected sensing vector. The first multiplexer selectively connects outputs of the pulse generator to a selected one of the different electrical pulse delivery vectors at a time. The second multiplexer selectively connect inputs of the sensing circuit to a selected one of the different sensing vectors at a time. The third multiplexer selectively connects an output of the sensing circuit to one of the plurality of separate signal processing channels at a time.

Abstract: A medical device provides stimulation therapy to a patient based on a set of therapy parameters. One or more therapy parameters may be automatically adjusted based on acceleration forces detected by a sensor, the acceleration forces being applied to the patient. In some examples, adjustments to one or more therapy parameter may be made based on an algorithm. The algorithm may be defined by acceleration and therapy parameter value pairs associated with opposite patient positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of a noninvasive technique for characterizing cardiac chamber size and cardiac mechanical function. A mathematical analysis of three-dimensional (3D) high resolution data may be used to estimate chamber size and cardiac mechanical function. For example, high-resolution mammalian signals are analyzed across multiple leads, as 3D orthogonal (X,Y,Z) or 10-channel data, for 30 to 800 seconds, to derive estimates of cardiac chamber size and cardiac mechanical function. Multiple mathematical approaches may be used to analyze the dynamical and geometrical properties of the data.

Abstract: In order to provide a surgical clip device with which the closure of vessels is successfully achieved even more safely, particularly in neurosurgery, it is proposed that the surgical clip device be provided with at least two electrically conductive clip parts that are electrically isolated from each other (by an element) and are arranged at a predetermined distance opposite each other.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member is disclosed. The end-effector further includes a plurality of arms, which may pivot or move relative to one another. Further, each arm includes an inner edge defining a cutting edge, and an outer edge having at least one geometric feature for manipulating tissue.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device is provided for use in soft tissue and/or in bone. It is configured to include an inner probe with a first electrode and a second electrode and an outer needle through which the inner probe extends. After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy source. Such embodiments may include methods for tissue ablation and placement of stabilizing materials.

Abstract: A system comprises a cardiac signal sensing circuit and a processor circuit. To detect a QRS duration, the processor circuit determines an isoelectric amplitude value of the cardiac signal segment, identifies a time where the cardiac signal segment amplitude deviates from the first isoelectric amplitude value by a specified threshold deviation value as a Q time, determines an isoelectric value time after the determined maxima and minima times that the cardiac signal segment returns to the same or a different isoelectric amplitude value, identifies a time that follows both the determined maxima and minima times and precedes the isoelectric value time as an S time, wherein the cardiac signal segment amplitude at the identified S time satisfies a specified amplitude change criterion from an isoelectric amplitude value, and determines a time duration of the QRS complex in the cardiac signal segment using the identified Q and S times.

Abstract: A system and method to sense heart sounds with one or more implantable medical devices according to one or more signal processing parameters. The method alters one or more of the parameters as a function of one or more physiologic triggering events. The method then senses heart sounds with the one or more implantable medical devices according to at least the one or more altered signal processing parameters.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for modulating, suppressing or preventing an ocular disorder in a subject. One step of the method can include positioning at least one electrode on or proximate to at least one of a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a sphenopalatine nerve (SN), a vidian nerve (VN), a greater petrosal nerve (GPN), a deep petrosal nerve (DPN), or a branch thereof, of the subject. Next, the at least one electrode can be activated to apply an electrical signal to at least one of the SPG, the SN, the VN, the GPN, the DPN, or the branch thereof.

Abstract: Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of a between graphical element can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected between graphical element. Selection of a plurality of between graphical elements and graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members, each jaw member including a tissue sealing plate disposed thereon. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members defines a first channel extending therethrough and an opening in the tissue sealing plate thereof that is aligned with the first channel. A stop member having a pre-determined configuration is removably engaged within the first channel. At least a portion of the stop member is configured to extend through the opening of the tissue sealing plate to define a minimum gap distance between the tissue sealing plates of the jaw members when the jaw members are disposed in the approximated position.

Abstract: A method and device for operating an RF surgical assembly for the RF surgical removal of pathological tissue in hollow organs of a patient wherein the RF surgical assembly includes an RF surgical device having an RF generator for generating an RF current and a bipolar loop having two mutually insulated loop sections which can be brought electrically in contact with the tissue and wherein the RF generator has a first and an antipolar second output.

Abstract: Assessing decongestive therapy delivered to a heart failure patient involves use of an implantable sensor configured to sense a physiologic parameter indicative of the patient's diuresis status and a processor coupled to the implantable sensor. The sensor may comprise a thoracic fluid sensor, a heart sounds sensor, a cardiac chamber or arterial pressure sensor, a respiration sensor, or a blood chemistry sensor, for example. The processor is configured to determine if a target level of patient diuresis has been achieved based on a relationship between the sensed physiologic parameter and a threshold developed for the patient, and to produce an output in response to determining that the target level of patient diuresis has been achieved. The processor may be disposed in an implantable housing, in a patient-external housing, or in a network server system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting the onset of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) from electrocardiogram (ECG) data representing a patient. A signal processing component determines parameters representing the activity of the heart of the patient from the ECG data. A feature extraction component calculates a plurality of features useful in predicting postoperative AF from the determined parameters. A classification component determines an AF index for the patient from the calculated plurality of features. The AF index represents the likelihood that the patient will experience AF.

Abstract: An implantable medical device detects conditions such as a lead failure which may result in oversensing a physiologic condition. In response, the IMD automatically adjusts sensing thresholds, such as the number of intervals to detection in order to mitigate the effect of oversensing in the delivery of extraneous therapy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an entity in response to activity in a peripheral nerve comprising a plurality of fascicles. A multicontact electrode assembly is configured to record activity from the peripheral nerve. A processing component includes a sensor mapping component configured to quantify activity associated with a proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, an evaluation component configured to determine an adjustment of the status of the controlled entity from the quantified activity of the proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, and a controller configured to provide a control signal, representing the adjustment of the status of the controlled entity, to the controlled entity.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for simultaneously stimulating the spinal anatomy at various locations, such as spinal levels, along the spinal cord. By stimulating multiple levels of the spinal column with the use of a single device, a single access path is created to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) rather than individual access paths for each lead at each spinal level to an IPG. By reducing the number of pathways, the procedure complexity, time and recovery are reduced. In addition, some embodiments provide additional specificity within each targeted level, such as selective stimulation of specific tissue, such as the dorsal root ganglion.