Abstract: Methods and systems for assisting a patient to reprogram parameters of an implantable medical device, such as a spinal cord stimulator, are disclosed. A patient may use an external controller, which may be either a dedicated device or a personal computing device, to interact with their implantable medical device and evaluate the efficacy of their therapy. If the efficacy diminishes, the patient may use their external controller to adjust either the neural dosage (i.e., frequency, pulse width, and/or amplitude) and/or the location at which stimulation is provided. A reprogramming assistant is provided, which guides the patient in adjusting their stimulation using their external controller. The patient may use supra-perception or sub-perception stimulation for the adjustment. The implantable medical device may include pre-programmed “rescue programs” to assist the patient in recovering the efficacy of their therapy.

Abstract: An electrode connector device for an implant. A radiographic marker is integrated in a metal conducting element. There is also described an implant with an electrode connector.

Abstract: A bioinformation acquiring apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory configured to store a program to be executed in the processor.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and apparatuses with shielded wrists, and methods of actuating instruments with wrists. In one aspect, an instrument includes a shaft, an end effector, and a wrist connecting the shaft to the end effector. For example, the wrist may include a proximal clevis, a distal clevis, and an intermediary frame positioned between the proximal clevis and the distal clevis.

Abstract: Methods for determining stimulation for a patient having a stimulator device are disclosed. A model is received at an external system indicative of a range or volume of preferred stimulation parameters, which model is preferably specific to and determined for the patient. The external system receives a plurality of pieces of fitting information for the patient, including information indicative of a symptom of the patient, information indicative of stimulation provided by the stimulator device during a fitting procedure, and/or phenotype information for the patient. The external system determines one or more sets of stimulation parameters for the patient using the pieces of fitting information. In one example, training data is applied to the pieces of fitting information to select the one or more sets of stimulation parameters from the range or volume of preferred stimulation parameters in the model.

Abstract: The present disclosure enables improved laser treatments by enabling better estimation of laser-tissue interaction to better inform the planning of a treatment path for a laser signal through a treatment region. An embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure uses a laser signal to generate a feature in the treatment region, generates a surface profile of the treatment region that includes the feature, compares that surface profile to another surface profile of the treatment region taken before the generation of the feature, and infers at least one property for at least one tissue type in the treatment region based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the feature is generated such that it includes a plurality of tissue types previously identified in the treatment region, thereby enabling inference one or more properties for each tissue type and/or locating one or more boundaries between tissue types.

Abstract: Wirelessly powered photodynamic therapy devices are disclosed and systems and methods using such devices are also disclosed. In an embodiment, a photodynamic therapy system comprises: an implantable illumination device comprising a light source configured to emit light having a spectrum which overlaps with an absorption peak of an absorption target and a receiver antenna coupled to the light source and configured to extract power from a radiofrequency power signal incident on the implantable illumination device; and a transmitter comprising an antenna, a powering module configured to generate a drive signal which causes the antenna to generate the radiofrequency power signal, and a dosimetry module coupled to the antenna and configured to detect a radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device and determine an indication of the power extracted by the implantable illumination device from the radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system for use with electrodes to modulate a volume of neural tissue may include a waveform generator and a controller. The waveform generator may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrodes and provide an electrical waveform through at least some of the electrodes to provide a neuromodulation therapy. The controller may be configured to use a program to control the waveform generator to deliver a neuromodulation therapy by delivering both a fast-acting sub-perception neuromodulation and a slow-acting sub-perception neuromodulation. The fast-acting neuromodulation has a wash-in transition period less than a first time duration, and the slow-acting sub-perception neuromodulation has a wash-in transition period more than a second time duration, the second time duration being longer than the first time duration.

Abstract: New waveforms for use in an implantable pulse generator or external trial stimulator are disclosed which mimic actively-driven biphasic pulses, and which are particularly useful for issuing low frequencies pulses. The waveforms comprise at each electrode interleaved first and second pulses. Each first pulse comprises a first monophasic pulse and a first passive charge recovery period. Each second pulse comprises a second monophasic pulse with a polarity opposite the first monophasic pulse and a second passive charge recovery period. Preferably, the amplitudes and pulse widths of the first and second monophasic pulses are equal, or at least charge balanced at each electrode. The first and second monophasic pulses mimic the functionality of a symmetric biphasic pulse, with the first monophasic pulse mimicking the functionality of the biphasic pulse's first phase, and the with the second monophasic pulse mimicking the functionality of the biphasic pulse's second phase.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying onset of a cardiac event. Embodiments receive biometric data measured by at least one remote monitoring device, the biometric data comprising an electrocardiogram (ECG) data relating to a patient. It is determined that the ECG data includes a plurality of critical rhythms, and one of the plurality of critical rhythms is identified as an onset event. The ECG data is modified, based on the identified onset event. The modified ECG data facilitates treatment of the patient related to the identified onset event.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a light therapy system (e.g., phototherapy device), such as for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, depression, dementia, short-term memory, or for improved learning, improved athletic performance or improved cognitive performance, is provided where the light system comprises a blue light source that operates at a frequency in the range from 20 to 50 Hz (preferably around 40 Hz), whereby the system enables retinal ganglion cells of a human to be exposed in order to stimulate brain waves (gamma oscillations in the human's brain).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting physiologic events in a patient are described herein. An embodiment of a medical system includes a memory circuit to store physiologic event episodes detected and recorded by a medical device. The system includes a control circuit to analyze the stored physiologic event episodes, and determine a presence of a target cardiac event under a plurality of detection settings. Using the determined presence of the target cardiac event from the stored physiologic event episodes, and user adjudication of the stored event episodes, the control circuit may select, from the plurality of detection settings, a detection setting to detect a subsequent target cardiac event. The control circuit may also prioritize the physiologic event episodes for storage in the memory circuit.

Abstract: A patient interface system for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery is disclosed that includes a patient interface for coupling to the patient's eye, and a patient interface holder for arranging the patient interface on the laser device. The patient interface holder has a suction duct for connecting to a suction device, and the patient interface has a fluid-conducting device that couples to the patient interface holder, and when in the coupled state, together form a fluid path which fluidically couples the suction duct to the patient interface in order to hold a first positioning device of the patient interface against the patient's eye by a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. A method is disclosed for coupling a patient interface to a patient interface holder, and a patient interface. A patient interface holder is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modulating neural activity within brainstem circuitry to evoke a certain bodily function (e.g., cardiorespiratory response) in a patient. A controller can configure a light signal (such as an infrared light signal) to deliver an amount of radiant exposure to a specific portion of the brainstem for a time. The specific portion of the brainstem can include brainstem circuitry that is the control center for the certain bodily function. The configured light signal can be delivered to the specific portion of the brainstem by an optrode for the time. During application, the light signal can deliver the amount of radiant exposure to the specific portion of the brainstem to evoke the certain bodily function.

Abstract: Methods for a generally safe and effective therapy to lower excessive and chronic inflammation via the promotion of the body's powerful anti-inflammatory Interleukin-10 cytokine and re-activation of dormant T regulatory cells are provided. The methods balance the safety and efficacy of both Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Treg optimization with excessive risk of UV overexposure to treat and improve several chronic autoimmune inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic substance delivery device for delivering a therapeutic substance to a desired site in a bodily duct, characterized in that the therapeutic substance delivery device is provided with: a therapeutic substance loading portion; a connector which is connected to the therapeutic substance loading portion; and a supplying/discharging pipe connected to the connector; and in that the therapeutic substance loading portion includes a main body portion in which a recessed portion is formed, a resilient film, and a connecting pipe; the connector is provided with a joint main body, a flange portion fixed to the other end portion side of the joint main body, and a fixing nut through which the joint main body passes; the joint main body is provided with a tube fastening portion; and at least part of the inner wall of the fixing nut is provided with a thread.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and devices for estimating remaining longevity of an IMD powered by a battery that at any given time has a battery voltage (BV) and a remaining battery capacity (RBC). Such a method can include estimating the RBC using a first technique when the battery is operating within a t least one of one or more plateau regions, estimating the RBC using a second technique, that differs from the first technique when the battery is operating within a decline region, and estimating the remaining longevity of the IMD based on at least one of the estimates of the RBC. Additionally, historical battery data can be stored and used to estimate the RBC, e.g., when the battery is operating within a heavy usage and recovery period. RBC estimation can also depend on whether the IMD is close to its recommended replacement time (RRT).