Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Iconic representations for depiction on the display of the system and relating to positional and other characteristics of the catheter or medical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for modifying neural activity by applying electrical current to a neural tissue, e.g., in a transcranial DC stimulation procedure (tDCS), a transcranial AC stimulation procedure (tACS), a transcranial random noise stimulation procedure (tRNS), a deep brain stimulation procedure (DBS), a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation procedure (TENS), or the like. Historically, computed potential, electrical field, and/or current density distributions have been used to select the locations of the electrodes that apply the electrical current. In the present disclosure, a computed charge distribution on the bounding surface of one or more sulci filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is used in selecting the electrode locations. In one embodiment, the sulcus's bounding surface is divided into pixels and each pixel's charge is determined by the pixel functioning as a sensor for the charges surrounding it, including the charges of other pixels and the charges on the electrodes.

Abstract: One described aspect is an optical fiber comprising: a fiber core that extends along a fiber axis, is configured to transmit a laser energy along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end with an angled distal face; a jacket that surrounds a proximal portion of the fiber core along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end located proximal of the angled distal face; a fiber tip including a proximal end with an angled distal face; and a reflector including a proximal face attached to the angled distal face of the fiber core, a distal face attached to the angled proximal face of the fiber tip, and at least one layer configured to direct the laser energy out of the fiber core along a laser axis generally transverse with the fiber axis, wherein the optical fiber tapers along the fiber axis. Associated laser systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: At least one of a first medical device and a second medical device may be implanted within a patient while the second medical device may optionally be proximate but external to the patient. At least one of the medical devices has an antenna having at least two electrodes and at least one of the medical devices has an antenna having at least three electrodes. The medical devices can communicate via conducted communication through the patient's tissue between a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes. At least one of the pairs of electrodes can be selected in accordance with the signal strength of the communication vector between the first and second pairs of electrodes.

Abstract: A method for vector analysis of an electrocardiogram for assessment of risk of sudden cardiac death includes receiving data about electrical activity of heart of a subject recorded on electrocardiogram device, generating a vector cardiogram based on the data, analyzing the vector cardiogram to determine arrhythmogenic right ventricular dys-plasia/cardiomyopathy to identify a presence of a micro-scar in a three-dimensional vector loop of the vector cardiogram, determining a risk of SCD for the subject based on the identification of the presence of a micro-scar, and storing the risk in a database.

Abstract: Articles and methods of making articles are described. In one embodiment, an electrode is described, comprising an ionically-conductive hydrogel layer comprising a first major surface and opposing major surface. The electrode further comprises a discontinuous primer layer disposed on the first major surface ionically-conducting hydrogel layer and an electrically conductive member or a connector component thereof, in contact with the first major surface of the ionically-conducting hydrogel layer. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a hydrogel layer comprising a first major surface and opposing major surface; a discontinuous hydrophobic primer layer disposed on the first hydrogel layer; and a hydrophobic adhesive or hydrophobic backing bonded to the primer and discontinuous hydrophobic primer layer of the hydrogel.

Abstract: Cardiac catheterization is carried out by inserting a multi-electrode probe into a heart, constructing a position map of the electrodes, and simulating a 3-dimensional surface of the heart. The method is further carried out by placing the position map in registration with an acquired image of the heart, constructing, based on the position map, a mesh that models the 3-dimensional surface of the heart, and adjusting positions of vertices of the mesh relative to mapped points in the position map to improve a registration of the mesh with the acquired image.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation therapy is provided to a patient in order to induce a patient sensation. The patient sensation may be selected from a number of patient sensations. A set of therapy parameter values are associated with each of the number of patient sensations. A user interface allows a user to adjust one or more characteristics of the patient sensation.

Abstract: A coaptive surgical sealing tool may be similar to an ordinary hemostat with long (50, 60, 70 or 80 mm) thin jaws for sliding into the liver parenchyma, without tearing the larger blood vessels. The jaws are spring loaded and are designed for uniform compression, and to avoid closing too quickly. The jaws are capable of sealing a 50, 60, 70 or 80 mm sealing length, in a single bite, although it can also seal shorter lengths as well. The tool can be used with existing ablative therapy microwave generators. The tool may be provided with irrigation and/or suction.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, devices and methods for treating and/or diagnosing a heart arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Specifically, the present invention provides a system including a diagnostic catheter and an ablation catheter. The diagnostic catheter includes a shaft, multiple dipole mapping electrodes and multiple ultrasound transducers. The ablation catheter is slidingly received by the diagnostic catheter shaft.

Abstract: A handheld defibrillation device is disclosed, operated by a single battery cell, and configured to deliver a defibrillation pulse to a subject via defibrillation pads. The defibrillator comprises an energy storage unit comprising a plurality of capacitive elements, a plurality of charger units, each charger unit being electrically connected to the battery cell for electrically charging a respective one of the capacitive elements, and a pulse delivery unit configured and arranged to discharge the electrical charges of the capacitive elements through the defibrillation pads. The charging units and the pulse delivery unit, and various other parts of the defibrillator are specially designed to permit compactly packaging the defibrillator inside a handheld pocketsize housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus monitor health by detection of sleep stage. For example, a sleep stage monitor (100) may access sensor data signals related to bodily movement and/or respiration movements. At least a portion of the detected signals may be analyzed to calculate respiration variability. The respiration variability may include one or more of variability of respiration rate and variability of respiration amplitude. A processor may then determine a sleep stage based on one or more of respiration variability and bodily movement, such as with a combination of both. The determination of sleep stages may distinguish between deep sleep and other stages of sleep, or may differentiate between deep sleep, light sleep and REM sleep. The bodily movement and respiration movement signals may be derived from one or more sensors, such as non-invasive sensor (e.g., a non-contact radio-frequency motion sensor or a pressure sensitive mattress).

Abstract: Scrupulous mathematical analysis of officially recognized results of approved medical research had allowed to establish dependence of personal heart beats on individual metabolic rate related to the person's weight, height, age, gender, medical treatment, blood pressure, as well as heart rate at rest, and led to deriving a process for a device continuously converting personal pulse into trustworthy estimates of instantaneous physical or mental stress, blood pressure, and metabolic, instead of uncertain mechanical, energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems used for the treatment of medical disorders via stimulation of the superficial elements of the trigeminal nerve. More specifically, cutaneous methods of stimulation of the superficial branches of the trigeminal nerve located extracranially in the face, namely the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, infraorbital, nasal and mentalis nerves (also referred to collectively as the superficial trigeminal nerve) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed in an improved medical implantable device system including an improved external charger that is able to communicate with an external controller and IPG using the communication protocol (e.g., FSK) used to implement communications between the external controller and the implant. The external controller as modified uses its charging coil to charge the implant, and also to communicate with the other devices in the system. As such, the external charger is provided with transceiver circuitry operating in accordance with the protocol, and also includes tuning circuitry to tune the coil as necessary for communications or charging. Communication or charging access to the charging coil in the external charger is time multiplexed. The disclosed system allows charging information to be provided to the user interface of the external controller so that it can be reviewed by the user, who may take corrective action if necessary.

Abstract: A system for controlling a body part includes a number of sensing devices that sense signals from a hemisphere of a brain. A signal translating unit translates the signals into a command signal for controlling the body part, which is on a same side of the body as the hemisphere of the brain. A prosthetic device receives the command signal from the signal translating unit and manipulates the body part in response to the command signal.

Abstract: A meal time estimation method includes: acquiring time series data of heart rate, by a processor; calculating a feature amount obtained by indexing a degree of similarity with a feature of heart rate change that appears at end of a meal from the time series data of the heart rate, by the processor; and estimating a meal time from the feature amount, by the processor.

Abstract: A patient monitoring device includes reusable and disposable portions. The disposable portion includes two or more electrodes for coupling to the skin of the patient, a battery, and a first set of electrical contacts. The reusable portion includes a processor, memory, a second set of electrical contacts, and sensing circuitry coupled to the at least two electrodes, wherein the reusable portion is mechanically coupleable to the disposable portion and wherein the reusable portion is electrically coupleable to the disposable portion through the first and second electrical contacts. The sensing circuitry and the processor are powered from the battery through the coupled first and second electrical contacts, and wherein when the reusable portion and the disposable portion are mechanically uncoupled after having been mechanically coupled, the disposable portion is rendered unusable by the process of mechanically uncoupling the reusable portion and the disposable portion.

Abstract: Methods and devices are is provided for controlling a pacing therapy utilizing left ventricular multi-point pacing (MPP). The method and device provide electrodes configured to be located proximate to an atrial (A) site, a right ventricular (RV) site and multiple left ventricular (LV) sites of the heart. The method and device utilizes one or more processors. The processors determine atrial-ventricular conduction delays (AVCD) between the A site and multiple corresponding LV sites and determines pacing latencies at the LV sites. The processors adjusts the AVCDs, based on the pacing latency at the corresponding LV sites, to form atrial-ventricular latency adjusted (ARPL) conduction delays for the corresponding LV sites, calculates interventricular pacing (VV) delays for combinations of the LV sites based on the corresponding ARPL conduction delays and manages pacing therapy, that utilizes left ventricular MPP, based on the VV delays for the corresponding LV sites.

Abstract: Various approaches for detecting microbubble cavitation resulting from ultrasound waves transmitted from an ultrasound transducer include associating at least one time-domain reference signal with microbubble cavitation; causing the transducer to transmit one or more ultrasound pulse; acquiring, in the time domain, an echo signal from microbubbles in response to the transmitted ultrasound pulse(s); correlating at least a portion of the echo signal to at least a corresponding portion of the time-domain reference signal based on similarity therebetween; and detecting the microbubble cavitation based on the corresponding portion of the reference signal.