Abstract: A method for treating pain or discomfort in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises stimulating a cranial nerve with an electrical signal. The pain or discomfort may be a withdrawal symptom. The cranial nerve may be in an auricular area of the patient. The cranial nerve may be cranial nerve V, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, cranial nerve X, or branches of greater and lesser occipital nerves thereof and their associated neurovascular bundles. The withdrawal symptom may result from cessation of an opioid. The method may further comprise administering a secondary drug treats one or more of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction. The secondary drug may be administered about one day to about one week after initiating the stimulating step.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator includes at least one therapy electrode configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle, and an electrical stimulation device electrically coupled to the at least one therapy electrode, the electrical stimulation device programmed to generate and deliver electrical stimulation signals, with defined stimulation parameters, to the percutaneously inserted at least one therapy electrode to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, the defined stimulation parameters including a defined signal amplitude, a defined pulse frequency, a defined pulse width, a defined duty cycle and a defined stimulation signal duration.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator includes at least one therapy electrode configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle, and an electrical stimulation device electrically coupled to the at least one therapy electrode, the electrical stimulation device programmed to (i) generate and deliver electrical stimulation signals to the inserted at least one therapy electrode at a selected frequency for a selected duration to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, and (ii) repeat (i) with the stimulation signals having a modulated frequency.

Abstract: An auricular nerve field stimulation device may include a first plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a ventral aspect of an auricle, a second plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a dorsal aspect of the auricle, and electrical circuitry coupled to the electrodes and configured to selectively apply electrical stimulation signals to the electrodes to cause a first set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a first pairing, and to cause a second set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a second pairing different from the first pairing, the first and second sets of trans-auricular currents to stimulate at least one auricular nerve field within the auricle.

Abstract: A method for treating pain or discomfort in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises stimulating a cranial nerve with an electrical signal. The pain or discomfort may be a withdrawal symptom. The cranial nerve may be in an auricular area of the patient. The cranial nerve may be cranial nerve V, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, cranial nerve X, or branches of greater and lesser occipital nerves thereof and their associated neurovascular bundles. The withdrawal symptom may result from cessation of an opioid. The method may further comprise administering a secondary drug treats one or more of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction. The secondary drug may be administered about one day to about one week after initiating the stimulating step.

Abstract: A method for treating pain or discomfort in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises stimulating a cranial nerve with an electrical signal. The pain or discomfort may be a withdrawal symptom. The cranial nerve may be in an auricular area of the patient. The cranial nerve may be cranial nerve V, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, cranial nerve X, or branches of greater and lesser occipital nerves thereof and their associated neurovascular bundles. The withdrawal symptom may result from cessation of an opioid. The method may further comprise administering a secondary drug treats one or more of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction. The secondary drug may be administered about one day to about one week after initiating the stimulating step.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator includes at least one therapy electrode configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle, and an electrical stimulation device electrically coupled to the at least one therapy electrode, the electrical stimulation device programmed to (i) generate and deliver electrical stimulation signals to the inserted at least one therapy electrode at a selected frequency for a selected duration to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, and (ii) repeat (i) with the stimulation signals having a modulated frequency.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals, at least one therapy electrode electrically coupled to the stimulation device and configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle, a processor, and a memory with software executable by the processor to (i) control the stimulation device to generate and deliver to the inserted at least one therapy electrode the stimulation signals at a selected frequency with one of a positive and a negative pulse relative to a reference to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, (ii) continually repeat (i) for a first duration, (iii) following expiration of the first duration, control the stimulation device to generate no stimulation signals for a second duration, and (iv) repeat (i) through (iii) with the stimulation signals having a modulated frequency.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals, at least one therapy electrode electrically coupled to the stimulation device and configured for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle, a processor, and a memory with software executable by the processor to (i) control the stimulation device to generate and deliver to the inserted at least one therapy electrode the stimulation signals at a selected frequency with one of a positive and a negative pulse relative to a reference to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle, (ii) continually repeat (i) for a first duration, (iii) following expiration of the first duration, control the stimulation device to generate no stimulation signals for a second duration, and (iv) repeat (i) through (iii) with the stimulation signals having a modulated frequency.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes electrically coupled thereto, each of the therapy electrodes including at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle located therein. At least one of the therapy electrodes includes a plurality of such needles for percutaneous insertion into the auricle near the at least one neurovascular bundle. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes electrically coupled thereto, each of the therapy electrodes including at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neurovascular bundle located therein. At least one of the therapy electrodes includes a plurality of such needles for percutaneous insertion into the auricle near the at least one neurovascular bundle. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate at least one auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes each electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation device and each including a plurality of needles for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neural vascular bundle located therein. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate an auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

Abstract: A method for treating pain or discomfort in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises stimulating a cranial nerve with an electrical signal. The pain or discomfort may be a withdrawal symptom. The cranial nerve may be in an auricular area of the patient. The cranial nerve may be cranial nerve V, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, cranial nerve X, or branches of greater and lesser occipital nerves thereof and their associated neurovascular bundles. The withdrawal symptom may result from cessation of an opioid. The method may further comprise administering a secondary drug treats one or more of the withdrawal symptoms and addiction. The secondary drug may be administered about one day to about one week after initiating the stimulating step.

Abstract: An auricular peripheral nerve field stimulator system includes an electrical stimulation device for generating electrical stimulation signals and a plurality of therapy electrodes each electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation device and each including a plurality of needles for percutaneous insertion into an auricle of a human ear near at least one neural vascular bundle located therein. In some embodiments, at least one reference electrode electrically is coupled to the electrical stimulation device and includes at least one needle for percutaneous insertion into or adjacent the auricle to provide a ground reference for the electrical stimulation device. The generated electrical stimulation signals are, in any case, delivered by the percutaneously inserted needles to stimulate an auricular peripheral nerve field within the auricle.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for inspecting a component includes a first feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a first feature of the component. The first feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the first feature inspector relative to the first feature of the component. The apparatus further includes a second feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a second feature of the component. The second feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the second feature inspector relative to the second feature of the component.

Abstract: As described herein, a system for inspecting a component includes an ultrasonic inspection probe with a component surface interface, and a robotic device with an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic inspection probe. The robotic device is automatably controllable to move the ultrasonic inspection probe across a surface of the component. Additionally, the system includes an angle sensor subsystem coupled between the ultrasonic inspection probe and the end effector. The angle sensor subsystem is configured to operably detect an actual orientation of the end effector relative to a presently inspected portion of the surface of the component. The system includes a controller configured to receive orientation data from the angle sensor subsystem, the orientation data comprising the actual orientation of the end effector, compare the actual orientation to a desired orientation, and control the robotic device to adjust an orientation of the end effector to be in the desired orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical stimulation device with a stimulator containing a generator for generating electrical stimulation impulses with defined stimulation parameters, and a power supply for supplying the generator with electrical energy, and with at least one needle electrode array for insertion into the skin surface of an area that is to be stimulated. This includes an apparatus for stimulating auricular points on the human ear is provided using low voltage pulses that are generated and delivered by portions of the apparatus, particularly by percutaneously implanted needle electrodes into the cranial and/or peripheral nerves and corresponding neural vascular bundles of the auricular and periauricular areas. The system includes methods of evaluating and implanting of the electrode/needle array. The methods may include transillumination of the auricular and periauricular tissues and surrounding neurovascular anatomy.

Abstract: As described herein, a system for inspecting a component includes an ultrasonic inspection probe with a component surface interface, and a robotic device with an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic inspection probe. The robotic device is automatably controllable to move the ultrasonic inspection probe across a surface of the component. Additionally, the system includes an angle sensor subsystem coupled between the ultrasonic inspection probe and the end effector. The angle sensor subsystem is configured to operably detect an actual orientation of the end effector relative to a presently inspected portion of the surface of the component. The system includes a controller configured to receive orientation data from the angle sensor subsystem, the orientation data comprising the actual orientation of the end effector, compare the actual orientation to a desired orientation, and control the robotic device to adjust an orientation of the end effector to be in the desired orientation.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for inspecting a component includes a first feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a first feature of the component. The first feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the first feature inspector relative to the first feature of the component. The apparatus further includes a second feature inspector with at least one wave transducer configured to inspect a second feature of the component. The second feature inspector further includes at least one displacement sensor configured to detect a displacement of the at least one wave transducer of the second feature inspector relative to the second feature of the component.

Abstract: A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.