Abstract: Systems and methods for acoustic detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and automated editing of heart sound data are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy.

Abstract: An assembly for pain suppressing electrical stimulation of a patient's nerve, the assembly including lateral, medial, and oppositely lateral series of contact plates; a lateral panel, a medial panel and an oppositely lateral panel, the electrical contact plates being fixedly attached to the panels; living hinges pivotally attaching the lateral and oppositely lateral panels to the medial panel; proximally extending wires electrically communicating with the contact plates; a proximally extending insulator attached to the medial panel, the insulator having a hollow bore and the wires being embedded within the insulator; a proximally opening traction socket fixedly attached to the medial panel; and a semi-rigid stay which is extendable through the hollow bore, the semi-rigid stay being engageable with the proximally opening traction socket.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and treating abnormal cardiac function. The patient's cardiac activity is substantially continuously monitored via a portable wearable device having electrodes and a microcontroller. Features in the monitored cardiac activity indicative of abnormal cardiac function are automatically detected. In response to the detection of an abnormal detected cardiac function, at least one person is automatically alerted of the detected abnormal cardiac function of the patient, and medication may be automatically caused to be administered to the patient. The portable wearable device preferably includes a plurality of electrodes and a microcontroller in communication with the electrodes, adapted to receive sensed cardiac activity signals and create digital signals enabling identification of at least one cardiac parameter.

Abstract: Defibrillator lead designs and methods for manufacturing a lead having attachment between a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. An electrode coil fitting is disposed within the shocking coil electrode. In an option, the fibrosis limiting material extends past the ends of the electrode coil, and is wrapped between the coil electrode and the electrode coil member.

Abstract: The present invention is a visual prosthesis for stimulating visual neurons to create the perception of light. The visual prosthesis electrically stimulating the retina with implanted electrodes exhibits interaction between electrodes stimulated closely together in both space and time. The visual prosthesis of the present invention includes means for determining a minimum distance at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, determining a minimum time at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, and avoiding stimulation of electrodes within the minimum distance during the minimum time. The minimum are ideally established for each individual patient. Alternatively, approximate minimums have been established by the applicants at 2 mm and 1.8 milliseconds.

Abstract: A method, comprising detecting an epileptic event in a neural network, wherein the event occurs in a first node; identifying a second node; and applying a therapy to the second node or any connection. A method, comprising determining a first body index indicative of epileptic activity; monitoring a second body index; detecting an indication of activity spread, based upon at least the second body index; and taking a responsive action, such as delivering therapy, modifying therapy, logging the indication, or warning. A method, comprising detecting an epileptic event in a first node of a neural network; applying a first therapy to a first neural structure for treating the event; and applying a second therapy to a second neural structure of the patient based on an event spread proclivity to a third neural structure. A non-transitive, computer-readable storage device for storing data that when executed by a processor, perform a method.

Abstract: A preferred frequency is identified, being usable to stimulate a neurological target within a mammalian body using at least one microelectrode positioned at or near the target. To establish efficient and effective stimulation, an impedance analyzer is provided for measuring electrical impedance values indicative of a microelectrode-tissue interface across a range of different frequencies. A preferred one of the measured electrical impedance values is identified as being closest to a pure resistance. The neurological target can then be stimulated at or near the frequency associated with the preferred impedance value (peak resistance frequency), thereby promoting desirable traits, such as optimum charge transfer, minimum signal distortion, increased stimulation efficiency, and prevention of microelectrode corrosion. The peak resistance frequency can be used to determine an preferred pulse shape.

Abstract: A rescue cell apparatus used for cardiac defibrillation of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a hand held device for sending and receiving communication signals and configured to be used as a remote control to administer a defibrillation pulse to the patient for cardiac defibrillation; a defibrillator unit having a sensor electronic pad positionable on the patient, the sensor electronic pad adapted to deliver the defibrillation pulse; and a second electronic pad, connectable by an electrical wire to the defibrillator unit, the second electronic pad positionable on the patient and adapted to detect ECG signals and to deliver the defibrillation pulse to the patient; and an image recognition module configured in the handheld device, and adapted to verify positioning of the sensor electronic pad and the second electronic pad on the patient before defibrillation.

Abstract: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a remarkable tool for probing the brain. However, it is still unclear why specific regions in the cortex are excitable by TMS while others are not. This invention provides methods and tools for the design of efficient magnetic stimulators. Such stimulators can excite neuronal networks that were not sensitive to stimulation until now. Stimulation can be carried out both in-vitro and in-vivo. Novel systems and techniques of this invention will enable both treatment and diagnostics by stimulating regions of the brain or neuronal assemblies that were previously unaffected by TMS.

Abstract: A defibrillator electrode set for a defibrillator and a defibrillator which senses the capacitance of an attached electrode set includes an electrode set coupled to the defibrillator by an adapter cable. The adapter cable and electrode set are pre-connected to the defibrillator prior to use. The electrodes are stored in a sealed foil package to retard gel desiccation prior to use. To reduce the capacitance of the electrode set seen by the defibrillator, the capacitance between the stored electrodes and the foil package is reduced by using a thicker dielectric layer for the layer of an electrode which opposes a wall of the foil package. In a constructed embodiment, one sixteenth inch thick polyethylene foam may be used for the electrode layer opposing the wall of the foil package.

Abstract: A temperature controlled cosmetic treatment facial mask with area-specific treatments of the present invention includes a substantially planar mask body which is formed with cut-outs for a person's eyes, nose, and mouth. The mask may include a number of large and small area treatment zones in combination with asymmetrical treatment zones suitable for treatment of specific and localized skin conditions. The treatments zones are coated with skin treatments, such as compounds, lotions, gels, and the like as are known in the facial treatment, cosmetics, spa and medical industry. The mask may include a self-heating or cooling substrate to provide temperature control to the face mask and each mask may include heating areas, cooling areas, or both. A system is also provided that includes an imaging device that feeds its output to a central computer system having an image analyzer, CPU, memory and Look Up Table, and face map for determining specific treatment requirements for the particular patient.

Abstract: An anti carbonization device to prevent the carbonization of tissue upon plasma coagulation by a suitable surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument has a feed line for an oxidizing agent, a feed line for a gas and an electrode for generating a plasma. A gas-oxidizing agent mixture for generating a gas oxidizing agent plasma is provided by the anti-carbonization device.

Abstract: A multi-functional element suitable for performing at least two surgical/therapeutic interventions, for example, the injection and cutting of tissue, with an anti-carbonization device to prevent the carbonization of tissue upon plasma coagulation by way of a suitable surgical instrument, where the surgical instrument has a feed line for an oxidizing agent, a feed line for a gas and an electrode for generating a plasma. A gas oxidizing agent mixture for producing a gas oxidizing agent plasma is provided by the anti-carbonization device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined ultrasound and HF surgical system, including at least one ultrasound generator which operatively provides an excitation signal through which an ultrasound converter can generate an ultrasound vibration, at least one HF generator which operatively generates HF energy, and at least one ultrasound and HF instrument electrically connected with the HF generator and the ultrasound generator, wherein the ultrasound vibrations and the HF energy are introducible into biological tissue through the HF instrument which includes at least one ultrasound converter and at least one HF electrode. In order to be able to use HF energy and ultrasound energy simultaneously without damaging the instrument or wearing the it out, the system includes a protective device which prevents sparks operatively generated through HF energy or reduces the probability of occurrence of the sparks.

Abstract: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a remarkable tool for probing the brain. However, it is still unclear why specific regions in the cortex are excitable by TMS while others are not. This invention provides methods and tools for the design of efficient magnetic stimulators. Such stimulators can excite neuronal networks that were not sensitive to stimulation until now. Stimulation can be carried out both in-vitro and in-vivo. Novel systems and techniques of this invention will enable both treatment and diagnostics by stimulating regions of the brain or neuronal assemblies that were previously unaffected by TMS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for using the system. In particular, the present invention relates to an application, executable by a processing device to assess the organization of a non-nutritive suck (NNS) pattern of a patient and to entrain an organized NNS pattern in the patient. The software system receives data from an orofacial stimulation appliance to assess the patient's natural NNS pattern and generates a precise therapeutic pulse profile that is actuated as a tactile stimulus via the orofacial stimulation appliance to entrain an organized NNS pattern.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a sensor configured to generate an endocardial acceleration (EA) signal representative of activity of a patient's heart. The device further includes one or more circuits configured to identify within the EA signal at least one EA signal component corresponding to at least one peak of endocardial acceleration, and extract from the at least one EA signal component at least two characteristic parameters. The one or more circuits are further configured to generate a composite index based on a combination of the at least two characteristic parameters, determine a plurality of values of the composite index for a plurality of pacing configurations, and select a current pacing configuration from among the plurality of pacing configurations based on the plurality of values of the composite index.

Abstract: A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where such arbitrary waveforms can also be used for charge balancing purposes.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assessing the state of the neuromuscular pathway to ensure further nerve tests aimed at detecting at least one of a breach in a pedicle wall, nerve proximity, nerve direction, and nerve pathology, are not conducted when neuromuscular blockade levels may decrease the reliability of the results.