Abstract: A system and method for treating Parkinson's disease by delivery of an agent within the brain. At least one image of a target region is acquired, and at least one magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) scan of the target region is acquired. A diffusion tensor is calculated from the at least one MR-DTI scan, and at least one of an agent distribution and an agent concentration from the images and the calculated diffusion tensor is calculated. Using at least one of the calculated diffusion tensor, the images, the calculated agent distribution, and the calculated agent concentration, the placement of a delivery instrument is planned to deliver the agent to the target region to achieve a desired agent concentration and/or agent distribution within the target region. Delivery of the agent can be coordinated with an applied electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A system and method for treating Alzheimer's disease by delivery of an agent within the brain. At least one image of a target region is acquired, and at least one magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) scan of the target region is acquired. A diffusion tensor is calculated from the at least one MR-DTI scan, and at least one of an agent distribution and an agent concentration from the images and the calculated diffusion tensor is calculated. Using at least one of the calculated diffusion tensor, the images, the calculated agent distribution, and the calculated agent concentration, the placement of a delivery instrument is planned to deliver the agent to the target region to achieve a desired agent concentration and/or agent distribution within the target region.

Abstract: A system and method for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by delivery of an agent within the brain. At least one image of a target region is acquired, and at least one magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) scan of the target region is acquired. A diffusion tensor is calculated from the at least one MR-DTI scan, and at least one of an agent distribution and an agent concentration from the images and the calculated diffusion tensor is calculated. Using at least one of the calculated diffusion tensor, the images, the calculated agent distribution, and the calculated agent concentration, the placement of a delivery instrument is planned to deliver the agent to the target region to achieve a desired agent concentration and/or agent distribution within the target region.

Abstract: A method for planning an infusion into hepatic tissue into a patient includes: obtaining anatomical and/or physiological patient data of the patient's liver or a region of the liver; determining at least one patient parameter from the patient data; planning the infusion using the anatomical patient data, physiological patient data, and/or at least one patient parameter, wherein planning includes determining how an administered substance is distributed in the tissue and/or how the administered substance influences physiological properties of the tissue; and determining a distribution and/or effectiveness of a therapeutic agent administered with the substance or after the substance.

Abstract: A device for the application of a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, includes at least two electrodes and a control device designed for input of a stimulation current via the electrodes. The stimulation device includes: a storage element that stores an allowed range of values for a contact resistance, which contact resistance is given between the at least two electrodes when the device is operated according to the intended use; a measuring device for measuring the contact resistance which is given between the at least two electrodes; a unit for changing the range of values for the contact resistance which range of values is stored in the storage element. The unit can change the stored range of values when a contact resistance measured by the measuring device lies outside of the stored allowed range of values.

Abstract: A stimulation device for the application of a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which includes a holding element an electrode arranged in a electrode carrier. The holding element has a linear guide. A resting part is arranged at the holding element. The holding rod has a first axis and runs from a first position, which adjoins to the linear guide, to a second position, which adjoins to the electrode carrier. The resting part defines a first plane with a resting area at the ear, on which area a second axis is arranged perpendicular. The first axis and the second axis span a middle plane. The holding rod lies at the first position in the middle plane and departs from the middle plane from the run from the first position to the second position in a first rod section until a reversal point.

Abstract: A device for the application of a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which comprises a number of electrodes, wherein the device comprises a controlling device which controlling device is designed for the application of a stimulation current which is applied via the electrodes according to a predetermined run of the stimulation current along the time. To allow an effective treatment of different diseases by means of a transcutaneous stimulation of the vagus nerve the invention proposes that the stimulation device creates a periodic recurrent stimulation current, wherein the frequency of the recurrent stimulation current is between 0.01 Hz and 10 Hz. Furthermore, the invention relates a method for the treatment of migraine.

Abstract: A method for planning an infusion into hepatic tissue into a patient includes: obtaining anatomical and/or physiological patient data of the patient's liver or a region of the liver; determining at least one patient parameter from the patient data; planning the infusion using the anatomical patient data, physiological patient data, and/or at least one patient parameter, wherein planning includes determining how an administered substance is distributed in the tissue and/or how the administered substance influences physiological properties of the tissue; and determining a distribution and/or effectiveness of a therapeutic agent administered with the substance or after the substance.

Abstract: A medical imaging processing method includes: using an imaging method to acquire at least first and second data sets of a region of interest of a patient's body, with at least one image acquisition parameter being changed so that first and second data sets yield different contrast levels relating to different substance and/or tissue types, and wherein the at least one acquisition parameter used to obtain the first data set is selected to enhance the contrast between one of the substance and/or tissue types relative to other substance and/or tissue types, and the at least one acquisition parameter used to obtain the second data set is selected to enhance the contrast between a different one of the substance and/or tissue types relative other substance and/or tissue types, thereby to optimize the contrast between at least three different substance and/or tissue types; and processing the two data sets to identify the different tissue types and/or boundaries therebetween.

Abstract: A device for the application of a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which includes a number of electrodes, which are arranged at or in an electrode carrier. The device includes a controlling device which controls or closed-loop controls the creation of a potential difference between the electrodes. The device has a signal device which displays or indicates the resistance which exists between the electrodes at generated potential difference when the device is arranged at or in the ear. The signal device includes at least one signal element which is switched in dependence of the measured resistance. To be able to adjust the stimulation quality of the transcutaneous stimulation by the user the device in an optimal manner the signal device has a plurality of signal elements. Different signal elements are switched in dependence on pre-determined bandwidths of the resistance.

Abstract: A stimulation device for the application of a transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which includes a holding element an electrode arranged in a electrode carrier. The holding element has a linear guide. A resting part is arranged at the holding element. The holding rod has a first axis and runs from a first position, which adjoins to the linear guide, to a second position, which adjoins to the electrode carrier. The resting part defines a first plane with a resting area at the ear, on which area a second axis is arranged perpendicular. The first axis and the second axis span a middle plane. The holding rod lies at the first position in the middle plane and departs from the middle plane from the run from the first position to the second position in a first rod section until a reversal point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus to the surface of a section of the human ear, which comprises a retaining element which is mountable on or in the ear and a number of electrodes which are arranged on or in an electrode carrier, wherein the device comprises a control apparatus which controls or regulates the generation of a potential difference between the electrodes. In order to permit an improved and safer transcutaneous stimulation the invention proposes that at least three electrodes are arranged on or in the electrode carrier, wherein the at least three electrodes are located in one plane, wherein the position of at least one of the at least three electrodes is adjustable on the electrode carrier and wherein the at least one electrode of which the position is adjustable is mounted such as to be displaceable in a translational manner in the plane. Furthermore, the invention relates a method for the operation of such a device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus to the surface of a section of the human ear, which comprises a retaining element which is mountable on or in the ear and a number of electrodes which are arranged on or in an electrode carrier, wherein the device comprises a control apparatus which controls or regulates the generation of a potential difference between the electrodes. In order to permit an improved and safer transcutaneous stimulation the invention proposes that at least three electrodes are arranged on or in the electrode carrier, wherein the at least three electrodes are located in one plane, wherein the position of at least one of the at least three electrodes is adjustable on the electrode carrier and wherein the at least one electrode of which the position is adjustable is mounted such as to be displaceable in a translational manner in the plane. Furthermore, the invention relates a method for the operation of such a device.

Abstract: A stimulation device for transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear comprises a holding element attached at or in the ear, at least two electrodes arranged in or at an electrode carrier. To obtain high contact quality of the electrodes with high wearing comfort, the holding element consists of one part designed as holding bow for placement between the surface of the head and the Pinna (P) of the device wearer, the other part designed as connection element between the holding bow and the electrode carrier; between the holding bow and the connection element a hinge joint is arranged such that use of the device allows swivel movement of the connection element relatively to the holding bow around an axis (S) parallel or under an angle (?) of less than 30° to the straight ahead viewing direction (G) of the device wearer.

Abstract: A stimulation device for transcutaneous electric stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear comprises a holding element attached at or in the ear and at least two electrodes arranged in or at an electrode carrier, wherein the at least two electrodes are separated from another at the electrode carrier by an electrically isolating section. To obtain a good electrical conductibility of the electrodes at high ear comfort, the at least two electrodes are covered by a casing element, the casing element comprises at least two cover elements, wherein each of the at least two cover elements comprises a retaining region for an electrode; the material of the cover elements is electrically conductive or can be made electrically conductive; the casing element comprises at least one isolation section made of electrically isolating material; the isolating section connects at least two cover elements with another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the combined application of a transcutaneous electrical stimulus to the surface of a portion of the human ear and emission of an acoustic signal into the auditory canal of the ear, wherein the device has at least one electrode head with at least one electrode for the application of the electrical stimulus, a loudspeaker and an output channel for acoustic signals into the auditory canal, a control device by which the application of the electrical stimulus and the emission of acoustic signals can be controlled. In order to achieve improved treatment of disorders using electrical stimulation, in particular tinnitus, the invention provides that the at least one electrode head which carries it is designed to allow it to be arranged in the Cymba conchae of the ear.

Abstract: A catheter for administering a substance into a patient's tissue including a number of pressure sensors for detecting changes in the shape of the catheter or s a backflow along the surface of the catheter. In response to the pressure distribution profile collected along the surface or length of the catheter, the physician may simulate or adapt the substance administration plan to accommodate the actual position of the catheter or the backflow along the surface of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for planning an infusion into hepatic tissue into a patient includes: obtaining anatomical and/or physiological patient data of the patient's liver or a region of the liver; determining at least one patient parameter from the patient data; planning the infusion using the anatomical patient data, physiological patient data, and/or at least one patient parameter, wherein planning includes determining how an administered substance is distributed in the tissue and/or how the administered substance influences physiological properties of the tissue; and determining a distribution and/or effectiveness of a therapeutic agent administered with the substance or after the substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the combined application of a transcutaneous electrical stimulus to the surface of a portion of the human ear and emission of an acoustic signal into the auditory canal of the ear, wherein the device has at least one electrode head with at least one electrode for the application of the electrical stimulus, a loudspeaker and an output channel for acoustic signals into the auditory canal, a control device by which the application of the electrical stimulus and the emission of acoustic signals can be controlled. In order to achieve improved treatment of disorders using electrical stimulation, in particular tinnitus, the invention provides that the at least one electrode head which carries it is designed to allow it to be arranged in the Cymba conchae of the ear.

Abstract: A method for planning to treat tissue by administering a substance which emits energy or can interact with administered energy to a body, such as body tissue, wherein a dispersion of the substance in the body is simulated, and to a system or device for planning administering a substance and administering energy to a body or in body tissue.