Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

Abstract: An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: In embodiments a neural interface comprising at least one C-ring portion can be used to apply a pressure in a range of 0 mmHg to 30 mmHg to a target tissue arranged within the C-ring portion and comprising at least one electrode arranged on the at least one C-ring portion.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: A boot, such as a ski boot, may include a lower portion or shell that is configured to accommodate a foot and an upper portion or cuff that extends upward from the lower portion and that is configured to accommodate a lower leg of a wearer. The boot may also include a tightening system that is coupled with the lower portion of the boot in order to close and tighten the lower portion about the foot. The tightening system includes a reel based closure device and a tension member that is operably coupled with the reel based closure device so that an operation of the reel based closure device effects tensioning of the tension member. The tightening system also includes a plurality of guide members that route or direct the tension member along a path and a terminal member that is fixedly coupled with the tension member.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to laparoscopic surgery, and in particular to laparoscopic ports for facilitating the implant of medical systems such as a neuromodulation system into the body of a patient. Particularly, aspects are directed to a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve comprising a sleeve body extending from a distal end of the cannula housing. The cannula sleeve has a semi-rectangular cross section including: (i) a rounded rectangular portion configured to accommodate feeding the neuromodulation system through the cannula assembly, and (ii) a circular portion configured to accommodate insertion of the one or more surgical instruments through the cannula assembly.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

Abstract: A tightening device for tightening an article includes an elongate panel that is positionable about the article. The elongate panel has a proximal end and a distal end. A tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel. The tightening device also includes a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The tightening device further includes at least one guide member that is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The tension member is operable with the at least one guide member so that the tension member is routed about the article and along a portion of the elongate panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to laparoscopic surgery, and in particular to laparoscopic ports for facilitating the implant of medical systems such as a neuromodulation system into the body of a patient. Particularly, aspects are directed to a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve comprising a sleeve body extending from a distal end of the cannula housing. The cannula sleeve has a semi-rectangular cross section including: (i) a rounded rectangular portion configured to accommodate feeding the neuromodulation system through the cannula assembly, and (ii) a circular portion configured to accommodate insertion of the one or more surgical instruments through the cannula assembly.

Abstract: An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for installing a cuff around a target biological structure. The method may include inserting a guidewire through an incision in a patient underneath an exterior surface of a target biological structure, guiding a ramp device over the guidewire to a position underneath the target biological structure such that the target biological structure is partly supported by the ramp device, guiding a cuff deployment tool over the guidewire to the ramp device, the cuff deployment tool comprising an interior volume and a cuff positioned within the interior volume, and causing the cuff from the cuff deployment tool to deploy such that the cuff moves from within the interior volume to an extended position. At least part of the cuff is positioned between the ramp device and the target biological structure in the extended position.

Abstract: A differentially tightenable ski boot includes a lower shell and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The ski boot includes a first tightening system that is coupled with the lower shell and a second tightening system that is coupled with the upper cuff. Each tightening system includes a reel based closure device, a tension member that is operably coupled with the reel based closure device, and at least one guide member that routes or directs the tension member along a path about the lower shell or upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system are operable independently of each other to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.