Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for applying of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which comprises a holding element to be attached at or in the ear as well as at least one electrode, which electrode is arranged in or at an electrode carrier, wherein the holding element comprises a linear guide in which a supporting rod is arranged linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element and wherein the electrode carrier is arranged at the supporting rod. To obtain an improved transcutaneous stimulation the invention proposes that the electrode carrier comprises at least one carrier section on which the electrode is arranged, wherein the electrode comprises at least one cylindrical and/or spherical segment shaped and/or conical surface section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for applying of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus onto the surface of the human ear. A holding element is attached to the ear. At least one electrode is arranged on an electrode carrier and the electrode carrier is arranged on a supporting rod. The holding element has a linear guide in which the supporting rod is arranged linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element. A latching mean is arranged between the linear guide and the supporting rod, so that the supporting rod can be latched relatively to the linear guide along the longitudinal axis (L) in predetermined relative positions. The latching means has a rack shaped contour on the supporting rod which extends into the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element.

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 electrode arrangement applies a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus to the surface of a section of the human ear. A holding element attaches at or in the ear. At least one electrode is held by an electrode carrier. The holding element has a linear guide on a supporting rod which is linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the holding element. The electrode carrier is arranged at the supporting rod. To improve the handling of the electrode arrangement latching means are between the linear guide and the supporting rod, so that the supporting rod can be latched relatively to the linear guide along the longitudinal axis in predetermined relative positions. The latching means is a rack shaped contour, which is on the supporting rod and which extends into the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for applying of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation stimulus onto the surface of a section of the human ear, which comprises a holding element to be attached at or in the ear as well as at least one electrode, which electrode is arranged in or at an electrode carrier, wherein the holding element comprises a linear guide in which a supporting rod is arranged linear movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the holding element and wherein the electrode carrier is arranged at the supporting rod. To obtain an improved transcutaneous stimulation the invention proposes that the electrode carrier comprises at least one carrier section on which the electrode is arranged, wherein the electrode comprises at least one cylindrical and/or spherical segment shaped and/or conical surface section.

Abstract: A catheter having an outer profile which is formed such that a path length along an outer surface of the catheter is greater than the corresponding length of the catheter, and to a method for determining the shape of a catheter, and wherein the elasticity and/or conductivity of the tissue into which the catheter is to be introduced is taken into account in order to determine the outer profile of the catheter.

Abstract: An anthropomorphic medical robot arm includes a base end, a first arm element, a base joint coupling the base end to the first arm element, a second arm element, a middle joint coupling the second arm element to the first arm element, a distal functional end, a distal joint coupling the distal functional end to the second arm element, and at least one selectively operable movement inhibitor operable on the base joint, middle joint and/or distal joint so as to restrict the functionally possible range of movement of the robot arm to the range of movement of a human arm.

Abstract: A method for planning the placement of a device in a body includes analyzing information of at least part of the internal structure of the body of a patient to determine if at least one specific or critical region or structure lies within a region of interest, said region of interest within a predetermined distance of the planned trajectory of the device in the body. Then, a level of risk is assessed to the at least one specific or critical region or structure that is within the region of interest.

Abstract: The visualization of procedural guidelines for a medical procedure, in which a medical instrument is shown in an image representation of a body portion including an area in which a medical procedure is to be carried out, wherein, in the vicinity of the functional portion of the instrument, regions or locations are indicated which are of special relevance to the procedure according to established guidelines for said procedure.

Abstract: A device for transcutaneous stimulation of a nerve of the human body includes at least one stimulation electrode and at least one reference electrode for transcutaneous nerve stimulation, the at least one stimulation electrode and the at least one reference electrode being connected to a control unit and being able to be supplied with an electrical current from the latter, and the at least one stimulation electrode and the at least one reference electrode being arranged in or on a housing which is designed to be fitted on or in the human ear, wherein the housing has a bow-shaped extension piece designed to be inserted into the auditory canal, said bow-shaped extension piece matching the shape of the entrance to the auditory canal or of the external auditory canal, and with an electrode head which is arranged at the end of the bow-shaped extension piece and which has two contact points for the two electrodes.

Abstract: A catheter having an outer profile which is formed such that a path length along an outer surface of the catheter is greater than the corresponding length of the catheter, and to a method for determining the shape of a catheter, and wherein the elasticity and/or conductivity of the tissue into which the catheter is to be introduced is taken into account in order to determine the outer profile of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for determining and representing possible entry and/or target areas for positioning catheters in an area on the basis of functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, includes: indicating at least one entry area of the catheter or at least one target area of the catheter; determining at least one target area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated entry area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, or at least one entry area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated target area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area; and representing the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data with the at least one indicated entry area and the at least one determined target area, or representing the functiona

Abstract: A catheter for administering a substance into body tissues includes an elongated catheter body that has at least one portion of the length of the catheter body that expands after the catheter is inserted in the patient's body. The portion that expands provides a seal against backflow of the substance along the outer surface of the catheter body and away from the intended treatment area.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the location of electrical activity or hyperactivity of nerve cells in an anatomical structure of a body, wherein an electrical conductivity model of the anatomical structure is generated and electrical impulses are detected by at least one electrode. Using the model and the detected electrical impulses, the location or locations of the electrical activity in the anatomical structure are determined.

Abstract: A method for determining a backflow of a substance along a track of a delivery device includes: a) obtaining parameters that influence the flow of the fluid or substance; b) acquiring information about delivery data; and c) computing the backflow along the delivery device using the information in steps a) and b).

Abstract: A method of adjusting infusion parameters that provide coverage of a selected target volume for direct infusions of a fluid includes using an algorithm for calculation of optimal packing of spheres or cylinders in a selected volume to determine the coverage of the selected target volume.

Abstract: A method for positioning at least one catheter on a body in which a fluid is present includes performing a body-specific detection of anatomical structure and/or tissue structure. A position of the fluid in the body and/or the amount of fluid in the body are detected and at least one catheter is positioned such that at least a part of the fluid can be drained from the body. A method for simulating drainage of a fluid from an interstice of a body includes performing a body-specific detection of anatomical structure and/or tissue structure. A position of the fluid in the body and/or the amount of fluid in the body are detected and a location of at least one catheter on the body is set.

Abstract: A method for identifying advantageous and non-advantageous infusion regions in the tissue includes capturing at least one of (i) functional anatomical data and (ii) structural anatomical data. The captured anatomical data is evaluated with computer assistance. Based on the evaluating step, the method includes determining infusion distribution information, such as directional and velocity information.

Abstract: A phantom for use with diffusion tensor imaging includes a container and a plurality of structures within the container. The structures have anisotropic properties, wherein when the phantom is subjected to diffusion tensor imaging, the structures provide data that is recognized as fiber bundles. The structures can be formed, for example, from cloth tape, silk, wood, glass fibers cord (synthetic and viscose) and/or microfibers.

Abstract: A method for planning the stimulation of hyper/hypometabolic cortical areas includes determining anatomical patient data using an imaging method and detecting positions of (i) the hyper/hypometabolic cortical areas in a patient's anatomy and (ii) a position of a stimulator. The positions of the hyper/hypometabolic cortical areas are registered and/or referenced with respect to the position of the stimulation means. An optimal positioning for the stimulator is determined on the basis of the relative positional information.