Abstract: Devices and methods for securing an implant to the hard palate are disclosed. The device may use a bracket and a retention element, such as a screw or tack, for retaining the device to the hard palate. The device may include a housing and an actuator element for actuating a portion of the soft palate. The method may include securing the retention element into the hard palate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further processed by a smart mandibular repositioning system for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and treating an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed by a positive airway pressure system for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further analyzed for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.

Abstract: An implant testing device and a method of detecting an airway implant are disclosed. The testing device detects the presence of the implant within a patient's body and can be used to determine its location. The testing device also provides an indication of proper function of the implant electronics. A detector circuit of the testing device generates an output signal representative of proximity of the airway implant. A processing circuit receives the output signal and determines proximity of the implant based on one or more detection thresholds. The processing circuit also provides a visual and/or audible alert. In some embodiments, the processing circuit varies the flash rate of one or more light emitting diodes and/or the pitch of an alert tone based on proximity of the implant. Various embodiments of the testing device are adapted for handheld use and can include a handle, elongated portion, and detector element.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system associated with an airway implant device is disclosed. A non-implanted portion of the system comprises a mouthpiece or retainer. The mouthpiece includes a power transfer circuit and a power source. The power transfer circuit includes a receive circuit configured to receive a first inductive power transfer from a charging device and to deliver a charging current to the power source. The power transfer circuit also includes a transmit circuit coupled to the power source. The transmit circuit is configured to provide a second inductive power transfer from the mouthpiece to the airway implant. Some embodiments of the non-implanted portion include a charge controller and a lithium polymer battery. Some embodiments of the charging device include a microcontroller for controlling operation of the charging device based on a proximity of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Several electroactive polymer (EAP) actuated vascular assist devices are provided that can be readily implanted within the body of a patient without coming in direct blood contact. The devices are also readily repositioned and/or removed from contact with the internal vasculature or may even be turned OFF remotely. In addition, there is provided a method of fabrication and a method of implanting such devices. There are also provided methods for the augmentation of a body lumen through the use of hemodynamic signals such as pressure or ECG signals to synchronize EAP actuation in the vascular assist system.

Abstract: An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device includes a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway and a tether. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway.

Abstract: Cardiac apparatus and methods of using such cardiac apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a cardiac apparatus includes a covering that is configured to at least partially encircle a heart with a first portion of the covering adjacent to a second portion of the covering. The cardiac apparatus also includes an electroactive polymer actuator. A first end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the first portion of the covering, and a second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the second portion of the covering. The second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is oriented such that, upon actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator, the second end of the electroactive polymer actuator extends away from the first end of the electroactive polymer actuator to move the second portion of the covering towards the first portion of the covering.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.

Abstract: An electrode assembly adapted to transmit electrical energy for ablating body tissue includes an expandable and collapsible non-compliant body made of a durable material and defining an interior adapted to receive a medium containing ions. The body includes a porous region, an electrode adapted to transmit electrical energy located in the interior of the body, a microporous membrane located on the porous region of the non-compliant body, and the microporous membrane is sized to pass ions contained in the medium without substantial medium perfusion therethrough, to thereby enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the ion-containing medium to the exterior of the electrode assembly to ablate body tissue.

Abstract: Cardiac apparatus and methods of using such cardiac apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a cardiac apparatus includes a covering that is configured to at least partially encircle a heart with a first portion of the covering adjacent to a second portion of the covering. The cardiac apparatus also includes an electroactive polymer actuator. A first end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the first portion of the covering, and a second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the second portion of the covering. The second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is oriented such that, upon actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator, the second end of the electroactive polymer actuator extends away from the first end of the electroactive polymer actuator to move the second portion of the covering towards the first portion of the covering.

Abstract: Several electroactive polymer (EAP) actuated vascular assist devices are provided that can be readily implanted within the body of a patient without coming in direct blood contact. The devices are also readily repositioned and/or removed from contact with the internal vasculature or may even be turned OFF remotely. In addition, there is provided a method of fabrication and a method of implanting such devices. There are also provided methods for the augmentation of a body lumen through the use of hemodynamic signals such as pressure or ECG signals to synchronize EAP actuation in the vascular assist system.

Abstract: A vascular assist device is provided that can be readily implanted within the body of the patient without involving direct blood contact. The device is readily repositioned and/or removed. A method of fabrication and a method of implanting such a device is provided. A method of use is provided including increasing the pressure in an aortic cuff based on a control signal related to systole and/or diastole of a heart and/or the aortic pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe assembly for mapping and ablating pulmonary vein tissue and method of using the same. The probe assembly includes an expandable and collapsible basket assembly having multiple splines. One or more of the splines carry one or more electrodes adapted to sense electrical activity in the pulmonary vein tissue. The basket assembly defines an interior, and a microporous expandable and collapsible body is disposed in the interior of the basket assembly and defines an interior adapted to receive a medium containing ions. An internal electrode is disposed within the interior of the body and is adapted to transmit electrical energy to the medium containing ions.

Abstract: An ablation catheter that includes radially disposed inflatable chambers is provided. The ablation catheter includes an elongate catheter body and an electrode structure mounted on the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode structure includes a plurality of radially disposed inflatable chambers. The elongate catheter body may be composed of an inner shaft having an inner shaft lumen, a stiffening mandrel disposed within the inner shaft lumen, and an outer shaft having an outer shaft lumen, wherein the inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft lumen. The outer shaft includes a plurality of inflation lumens in communication with the interior regions of the inflatable chambers, which deliver an inflation medium to the inflatable chambers. The inner shaft includes a plurality of lumens that house electrical leads for delivering ablation energy to the electrode structure.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe assembly for mapping and ablating pulmonary vein tissue and method of using the same. The probe assembly includes an expandable and collapsible basket assembly having multiple splines. One or more of the splines carry one or more electrodes adapted to sense electrical activity in the pulmonary vein tissue. The basket assembly defines an interior, and a microporous expandable and collapsible body is disposed in the interior of the basket assembly and defines an interior adapted to receive a medium containing ions. An internal electrode is disposed within the interior of the body and is adapted to transmit electrical energy to the medium containing ions.

Abstract: A balloon body of an electrode assembly includes an elastomeric non-conductive body expandable to a wide variety of working diameters to accommodate a wide variety of anatomical structures. The elastomeric non-conductive body has a circumferential region and an interior adapted to receive an electrically conductive fluid medium for expanding the elastomeric non-conductive body and transmitting electrical current therethough. A plurality of holes are located in the circumferential region of the elastomeric non-conductive body and a conductive elastomeric material covers the holes and forms one or more conductive regions adapted to transmit electrical current received from the electrically conductive fluid medium through the plurality of holes to adjacent body tissue.