Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for quantifying applied pressure by a device against an area of tissue. In particular, the present technology is related to medical devices including an optical element with a fiber Bragg grating, systems including the medical devices, and methods of quantifying applied pressure by the medical device. In one embodiment, a medical device comprises an elongate body including a distal portion and a proximal portion opposite the distal portion, and an optical element located at the distal portion of the elongate body. In one embodiment, the optical element include an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating. In one embodiment, the medical device is part of a medical system comprising a control unit in communication with the medical device, the control unit including an optical interrogator in communication with the optical element and processing circuitry configured to receive data from the optical interrogator.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for quantifying applied pressure by a device against an area of tissue. In particular, the present technology is related to medical devices including an optical element with a fiber Bragg grating, systems including the medical devices, and methods of quantifying applied pressure by the medical device. In one embodiment, a medical device comprises an elongate body including a distal portion and a proximal portion opposite the distal portion, and an optical element located at the distal portion of the elongate body. In one embodiment, the optical element include an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating. In one embodiment, the medical device is part of a medical system comprising a control unit in communication with the medical device, the control unit including an optical interrogator in communication with the optical element and processing circuitry configured to receive data from the optical interrogator.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including delivering a series of pulses with alternating pulse polarities to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The series of pulses includes at least a first pulse of a first polarity, a second pulse of a second polarity, and a third pulse of the first polarity, where the first, second and third pulses are delivered in direct succession and in that order. The first and second pulses are separated by a first time delay and the second and third pulses are separated by a second time delay. In some examples, each of the first and second time delays depend on the frequency that the series of pulses are delivered.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

Abstract: A dialysis device for operation in multiple modes and for maintaining a known gradient of potassium ion or other electrolyte between the blood of a patient and a dialysate fluid is described. The dialysis device is capable of being used for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and the dialysis device is capable of operation with a dialysate purification unit outside of a clinical setting or with a supply of water that can be supplied in a clinical setting. The dialysis device has a composition sensor containing a potassium-sensitive electrode for measuring a potassium ion concentration in one or more of the patient's blood and the dialysate fluid and an infusate pump operated to adjust a potassium ion concentration in the dialysate fluid based at least in part on data from the composition sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for dialysis and or bulk fluid removal by generating a fibrosis chamber within a body cavity and performing dialysis or bulk fluid removal. An implantable medical device is described having a fibrosis chamber and a pump. A dialysis chamber and an optional electrodialysis unit can further be provided. An additional controller uses sensory feedback to regulate the fluid levels by altering the extracellular fluid retention within the fibrosis chamber. This device can be used for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease who may also be suffering from cardiorenal syndrome and hypertension.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for dialysis and or bulk fluid removal by generating a fibrosis chamber within a body cavity and performing dialysis or bulk fluid removal. An implantable medical device is described having a fibrosis chamber and a pump. A dialysis chamber and an optional electrodialysis unit can further be provided. An additional controller uses sensory feedback to regulate the fluid levels by altering the extracellular fluid retention within the fibrosis chamber. This device can be used for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease who may also be suffering from cardiorenal syndrome and hypertension.

Abstract: A dialysis device for operation in multiple modes and for maintaining a known gradient of potassium ion or other electrolyte between the blood of a patient and a dialysate fluid is described. The dialysis device is capable of being used for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and the dialysis device is capable of operation with a dialysate purification unit outside of a clinical setting or with a supply of water that can be supplied in a clinical setting. The dialysis device has a composition sensor containing a potassium-sensitive electrode for measuring a potassium ion concentration in one or more of the patient's blood and the dialysate fluid and an infusate pump operated to adjust a potassium ion concentration in the dialysate fluid based at least in part on data from the composition sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for dialysis and or bulk fluid removal by generating a fibrosis chamber within a body cavity and performing dialysis or bulk fluid removal. An implantable medical device is described having a fibrosis chamber and a pump. A dialysis chamber and an optional electrodialysis unit can further be provided. An additional controller uses sensory feedback to regulate the fluid levels by altering the extracellular fluid retention within the fibrosis chamber. This device can be used for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease who may also be suffering from cardiorenal syndrome and hypertension.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for improving efficiency of RNA delivery to cells. The method comprises applying a low strength electric field to the cells and then after a certain time period, administering the ribonucleic acid sequence to the cells. Devices, kits, and RNA molecules suitable for delivery and devices suitable for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including delivering a series of pulses with alternating pulse polarities to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The series of pulses includes at least a first pulse of a first polarity, a second pulse of a second polarity, and a third pulse of the first polarity, where the first, second and third pulses are delivered in direct succession and in that order. The first and second pulses are separated by a first time delay and the second and third pulses are separated by a second time delay. In some examples, each of the first and second time delays depend on the frequency that the series of pulses are delivered.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for improving efficiency of RNA delivery to cells. The method comprises applying a low strength electric field to the cells and then after a certain time period, administering the ribonucleic acid sequence to the cells. Devices, kits, and RNA molecules suitable for delivery and devices suitable for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: A needle driver is described that can be used to drive a plurality of surgical needles into or proximate to tissue of a living body. The needle driver assists the surgeon in perforating the tissue, creating the tracts at a desired depth, and creating multiple tracts simultaneously. The needle driver is configured to hold the needles securely when creating the tracts, and is also configured to disengage from the needles after the tracts have been created.

Abstract: A method of increasing retention, survival and proliferation of transplanted cells in diseased or damaged tissue types or organ by providing transplanted cells with autologously-derived platelet cells and forming a autologously-derived platelet gel prior or during administration to the tissue type or organ through a delivery device and immobilizing the transplanted cells in the tissue type or organ system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device, such as a medical device, comprising at least one photocatalytic layer and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation, such as an LED or an electroluminescent material and methods of use. In some embodiments, the device includes an electrically conductive layer, such as an optically transparent conductive oxide, that is adapted to be biased from a voltage source. A method for increasing the energy efficiency of a photocatalytic surface comprises electrically biasing a transparent conductive oxide layer. A method for illuminating a complex three-dimensional surface comprises illuminating a photocatalytic layer with electromagnetic radiation from an electroluminescent layer. The devices and methods of the invention are useful, for example, for removing or preventing the formation of organic matter on a sensor window.

Abstract: The operation of an implantable medical device executing at least one set of firmware code is modified using a hardware/firmware trap at a point of execution of the set of firmware code. A patch code for directing the implantable medical device to perform a particular task is provided for execution when the trap generates an interrupt. The operation thereafter returns to the point of execution of the set of firmware code where the interrupt was generated and execution of the set of firmware code continues in a normal manner.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode array is described. The electrode array can include multiple electrode sets, and can be connected by a single lead to an implantable pulse generator. The implantable pulse generator can drive one set of electrodes to one potential, and another set to a different potential. When implanted in target tissue, the electrodes can stimulate the target tissue while avoiding stimulation of neighboring muscles, organs or nerves.