Abstract: The present invention is a depth sensing visual prosthesis. By depth sensing objects within an image, items located at a certain depths from the user can be removed to declutter an image. The resulting image presents only objects within a range of depth from the visual prosthesis user. Depth sensing can be accomplished in various ways including structured light, time of flight, or preferably, a stereo camera pair.

Abstract: A method and system for use with an implantable medical device for subcutaneous implant within a patient to determine a likelihood of the patient experiencing a cardiac event that includes sensing a cardiac signal along a plurality of different sensing vectors, determining state information of each vector of the plurality of sensing vectors, determining a cross correlation of the determined state information of each vector of the plurality of sensing vectors, comparing the cross correlation of the determined state information of each vector of the plurality of sensing vectors to a threshold, and detecting the cardiac event in response to the comparing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a tube configured to traverse a subject's aortic valve. A frame is disposed within a portion of the tube, and a plurality of winged projections are coupled to the frame. An impeller is disposed inside the tube, the impeller including at least one helical elongate element, and a film of material supported at least partially by the helical elongate element. The impeller is rotated, such as to pump blood from the subject's left ventricle to the subject's aorta. Blood flow that is generated by the rotation of the impeller is rectified, by using the winged projections to direct blood flow toward a direction of the longitudinal axis of the tube. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Feedback regarding electrical stimulation is provided to a patient. Electrical stimulation is applied to the patient. The electrical stimulation is applied by varying an electrical stimulation parameter. A signal is communicated to the patient via an electronic device. The signal is correlated with the electrical stimulation parameter such that the signal varies in association with the varying of the electrical stimulation parameter. The communicating is performed while the electrical stimulation is applied. Feedback is received from the patient in response to the electrical stimulation. Based on the received feedback from the patient, the electrical stimulation is adjusted.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a multiplexer (MUX), a switching array and logic circuitry. The MUX includes multiple input ports and an output port, and is configured to receive, via the input ports, multiple input signals, and to output, via the output port, a selected signal among the input signals. The switching array is coupled to the input ports of the MUX and is configured to receive the input signals and to connect or disconnect between each input signal and a respective input port. The logic circuitry is electrically coupled to the switching array and to the MUX, and is configured to control the switching array to connect at least the selected signal that the MUX is outputting, and to disconnect all the input signals other than the at least selected signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. A computer-assisted teleoperated surgery system includes a teleoperated instrument actuation pod. The surgical instrument actuation pod includes a plurality of linear actuators arranged around a surgical instrument. The linear actuators engage with actuator engagement members on the instrument and so drive movable parts on the instrument. The actuation pod is mounted on a teleoperated manipulator. Instrument pod mass is close to the teleoperated manipulator to minimize the pod's inertia, momentum, and gravity effects on the manipulator.

Abstract: An example of a system includes a blood pressure modulation device and a controller. The blood pressure modulation device may be configured to deliver a therapy to chronically maintain blood pressure within a prescribed range. The blood pressure modulation device may include a neuromodulator configured to deliver neuromodulation energy to neural tissue in a spinal cord or near the spinal cord using a first parameter set. The controller may include analyzer circuitry configured to determine an actual or anticipated blood pressure demand event indicated for a blood pressure change, and therapy parameter adjuster circuitry configured to respond to the actual or anticipated blood pressure demand event by delivering neuromodulation energy using a second parameter set to change the blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn patch sensor for simultaneously measuring a blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and other vital signs and hemodynamic parameters from a patient. The patch sensor features a sensing portion having a flexible housing that is worn entirely on the patient's chest and encloses a battery, wireless transmitter, and all the sensor's sensing and electronic components. It measures electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, and collectively processes these to determine the vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor that measures PPG waveforms also includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest.

Abstract: During charging of implantable devices via inductive coupling, heat may be produced within the implantable device, so control of the charging may be desirable to reduce or avoid the risk of undesirable tissue heating. Exchanging parameters relevant for charging may prevent undesirable heating, but typically increase the complexity of the devices used. An implantable device is provided, for wirelessly receiving energy pulses, monitoring the energy storage, and transmitting a first sufficient energy signal if the energy storage exceeds a first maximum value. An associated energy transmission device is provided, for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of successive energy pulses transmitted at a first power level, pausing energy transmission immediately after the first sufficient energy signal is received, and subsequently resuming energy pulse transmission at the first power level if no further sufficient energy signal is received.

Abstract: A magnetic-resonance-imaging-compatible (MRI-compatible) cardiac defibrillator includes: a defibrillator generator; first and second electric wires, each being electrically connected to said defibrillator generator; first and second defibrillation pads, each being electrically connected to a respective one of said first and second electric wires; and a low pass filter electrically connected between said defibrillator generator and said first and second electric wires to prevent a noise in an MRI image caused by a radiofrequency interference from the defibrillator as well as protect a patient and the defibrillator from MRI radiofrequency imaging signals, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency set such that differential mode noise at an MRI Larmor frequency is in an attenuated band while a system-test signal by said defibrillator generator is in a pass band of said low pass filter.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fetal size of an expectant mother comprises an acoustic sensor for positioning over the belly of the expectant mother, the acoustic sensor configured to receive an acoustic signal generated by the fetal heartbeat and to generate a sensor output signal. A fetal size is determined from a sensor output signal strength. This system is based on the realization that certain acoustic signals generated by the fetal heart beat are strongly correlated with the fetus size.

Abstract: A system for holding and controlling medical instruments during procedures includes an end effector configured to hold a medical instrument and a rotational and translational (RT) mechanism configured to rotate and translate the medical instrument along an insertion axis. The system further includes a platform coupled to the RT mechanism and a pair of parallel five-bar planar linkages configured to translate, pitch, and yaw the platform with respect to a principal axis that is parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrocardiographic (ECG) waveform timing detector includes an ECG waveform receiving circuit, a threshold value determining circuit, and a comparator. The threshold value determining circuit includes a heart rate calculating circuit, a threshold value setting circuit, and a comparing/determining circuit. The heart rate calculating circuit calculates the heart rate based on ECG waveform received by the ECG waveform receiving circuit. The threshold value setting circuit sets a threshold value. The comparing/determining circuit compares the heart rate with the number of R wave detection triggers detected using the threshold value to determine a threshold value for R wave detection trigger. The comparator compares the ECG waveform output from the ECG waveform receiving circuit with the threshold value for R wave detection trigger to output an R wave detection trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus for health care which guides a user to measure a target component. According to one embodiment, the apparatus for health care may include a physiological information acquirer configured to acquire physiological information related to a target component and a processor configured to monitor a measurement event of the target component based on the acquired physiological information and guide a user to measure the target component based on a monitoring result.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide notification to a user about pending neurostimulation or ongoing neurostimulation using a variety of notification signals and obtaining a user response to the notification using a variety of methods by which the user response is provided. Systems using implanted neurostimulation devices, external neurostimulators which provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or both provide responsive and scheduled therapy regimens that include ecosystem support for augmenting user compliance when treating symptoms, conditions, or disorders. The system is also to assist the user through assessment protocols for improved customization of stimulus regimen attributes such as stimulation protocol parameter values, electrode montages, user surveying, and compliance contingent operations.

Abstract: A method for managing bradycardia through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in both afferent and efferent directions of a patient's cervical vagus nerve is provided. An operating mode is stored, which includes parametrically defining a maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation tuned to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. The maintenance dose is delivered via a pulse generator through a pair of helical electrodes via an electrically coupled nerve stimulation therapy lead independent of cardiac cycle. The patient's physiology is monitored, and upon sensing a condition indicative of bradycardia, the delivery of the maintenance dose is suspended.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a skin or hair treatment device for emitting intense light radiation with an integrated sensor. The device has a housing; a treatment light source, wherein the treatment light source comprises an array of a plurality of light emitting elements arranged on a substrate; a sensor system, the sensor system has at least one sensing light source for emitting sensing light and at least one light sensor for detecting the sensing light, wherein the at least one sensing light source and the at least one light sensor are directed towards a device treatment window; and a control circuit having a processor.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn patch sensor for simultaneously measuring a blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and other vital signs and hemodynamic parameters from a patient. The patch sensor features a sensing portion having a flexible housing that is worn entirely on the patient's chest and encloses a battery, wireless transmitter, and all the sensor's sensing and electronic components. It measures electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, and collectively processes these to determine the vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor that measures PPG waveforms also includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the detection of cardiovascular efficiency and risk of disease. The rate of volumetric change of the heart can be determined by measuring the parallel conductance across electrodes attached to the heart. Measurements from a lumen would consider the total conductance. The rate of volumetric or lumen cross-section area change can then be compared to an average model to determine the health of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intravascular blood pump comprising an expandable and collapsible region distal to a pump assembly. In some embodiments, the expandable and collapsible region may comprise expandable and collapsible proximal and/or distal transition sections adjacent a central expandable and collapsible region. Support structure, e.g., an expandable and collapsible stent may comprise at least a part of the expandable and collapsible region. In some embodiments, a distal portion of the housing comprises the expandable and collapsible region, wherein an inversion of the distal housing results in a collapsed configuration and eversion of the distal housing results in an expanded configuration.