Abstract: The disclosure provides for a variable stiffness catheter. The catheter may include an inner layer forming an inner lumen, a middle layer surrounding the inner layer, and an outer layer surrounding the middle layer. The middle layer may form a lumen and may include a plurality of strings within the lumen. The catheter may also include a wrapping weaved through the plurality of strings of the middle layer. Applying a vacuum, actuating by applying negative pressure, or evacuating fluid from the lumen of the middle layer alters a frictional force between the inner layer and the outer layer or between elements of the middle layer and thereby changes the catheter's flexural rigidity over a defined region.

Abstract: A computing device for use in a system for mapping brain activity of a subject includes a processor. The processor is programmed to select a plurality of measurements of brain activity that is representative of at least one parameter of a brain of the subject during a resting state. Moreover, the processor is programmed to compare at least one data point from each of the measurements with a corresponding data point from a previously acquired data set from at least one other subject. The processor is also programmed to produce at least one map for each of the measurements based on the comparison of the resting state data point and the corresponding previously acquired data point. The processor may also be programmed to categorize the brain activity in a plurality of networks in the brain based on the map.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling the operation of a focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBO) device using an individualized closed-loop feedback control method are disclosed. Devices, systems, and methods for performing transcranial cavitation localization using a time difference of arrival method combined with signal processing using differential cavitation are also disclosed. Methods for performing a liquid biopsy to diagnose a brain disorder using a FUS-BBBO method to enhance the release of biomarkers from the brain into CSF and blood are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device for use in a system for mapping brain activity of a subject includes a processor. The processor is programmed to select a plurality of measurements of brain activity that is representative of at least one parameter of a brain of the subject during a resting state. Moreover, the processor is programmed to compare at least one data point from each of the measurements with a corresponding data point from a previously acquired data set from at least one other subject. The processor is also programmed to produce at least one map for each of the measurements based on the comparison of the resting state data point and the corresponding previously acquired data point. The processor may also be programmed to categorize the brain activity in a plurality of networks in the brain based on the map.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for transcutaneous auricular branch vagal nerve stimulation. Stimulation of the vagal nerve is configured to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system. The system includes a first electrode to be attached to a cymba of a patient's ear, a second electrode to be attached to a cavum of the patient's ear, and a flexible substrate to be bent over the ear to secure the system to the patient's ear.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for guiding surgical tools to a surgical site, and more particularly, to systems and methods for guiding a tool sheath of a delivery system to a surgical site such as a location in a subject's brain and associated surgical procedures.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of providing security and privacy for a message sender. The method can include a messaging application determining that a messaging interface of the computing device is active and is revealing or about to reveal the electronic message. The messaging application can identify a recipient account of a messaging server system that is associated with the electronic message according to the electronic message or the messaging server system. The messaging application can then monitor a data feed from a sensor of the computing device to detect a biometric pattern that matches against a biometric profile model associated with the recipient account utilizing a biometric recognition process. In response to determining that the detected biometric pattern does not match the biometric profile model associated with the recipient account, the messaging application can activate a privacy shield to prevent content of the electronic message from being revealed.

Abstract: A method of enhanced motor learning is provided. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a patient's vagus nerve within the patient's ear with a nerve stimulating signal. The method also includes assisting the patient in performing a physical activity while the patient's vagus nerve is stimulated. The method further includes monitoring one or more statistics of the patient during the physical activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for guiding surgical tools to a surgical site, and more particularly, to systems and methods for guiding a tool sheath of a delivery system to a surgical site such as a location in a subject's brain and associated surgical procedures.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision for systems and methods for individualized targeting of deep brain stimulation (DBS). In addition, methods for monitoring the treatment of a subject using a DBS system are described.

Abstract: A system for stimulating a sympathetic chain includes an electrode assembly that is configured to attach to a bone in proximity to a targeted portion of the sympathetic chain. The electrode assembly includes a cathode and an anode. The system also includes a power supply connected to the electrode assembly and configured to deliver power to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly generates an electrical field between the cathode and the anode when power is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electrical field reaches the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain to provide electrical stimulation to the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain.

Abstract: A computer device such as a smartphone includes at least one processor programmed to monitor a video feed from at least one camera to detect a facial profile of an operating user when a messaging interface is being used, match the detected facial profile against a known facial profile utilizing a facial recognition process to verify an identity of the operating user, determine a plurality of human expressions of the operating user based on the video feed and an expression recognition process, associate the plurality of human expressions with a plurality of contextual tags, generate a user profile in a user profile database based on the plurality of human expressions and the plurality of contextual tags, determine a current activity for the smartphone, associate the determined activity for the smartphone with one of the contextual tags, and update the user profile in the user profile database based on the association.

Abstract: A brain computer interface (BCI) system includes an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset and a computing device communicatively coupled to the EEG headset. The computing device includes a memory, a processor and a display device. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to monitor, using the EEG headset, current extrinsic network activity and current intrinsic network activity of a patient, generate a current depression index based on the relationship between the current extrinsic network activity and the current intrinsic network activity, and display, on the display device, a representation of the relationship between the current depression index and a baseline depression index previously generated for the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating an inflammation in a patient is provided. The method includes stimulating, in a patient suffering from inflammation, the patient's vagus nerve with an electrical signal to achieve a therapeutic effect for treating the inflammation. The signal current is 0.4 mA, the pulse width is 250 ?s, the signal frequency is 20 Hz, and the signal on-time is twenty minutes. The method also includes re-stimulating the patient's vagus nerve a second time within 24 hours of the first stimulation. The electrical signal for a first stimulation and the second stimulation are the same.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of providing security and privacy for a message sender. The method can include a messaging application determining that a messaging interface of the computing device is active and is revealing or about to reveal the electronic message. The messaging application can identify a recipient account of a messaging server system that is associated with the electronic message according to the electronic message or the messaging server system. The messaging application can then monitor a data feed from a sensor of the computing device to detect a biometric pattern that matches against a biometric profile model associated with the recipient account utilizing a biometric recognition process. In response to determining that the detected biometric pattern does not match the biometric profile model associated with the recipient account, the messaging application can activate a privacy shield to prevent content of the electronic message from being revealed.

Abstract: A method of using a catheter assembly for inserting in a fluid filled space in a body includes providing a main body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. The second end portion is adjusted to extend outwardly from the fluid filled space when the first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. A catheter tip is connected to the second end portion of the main body. The catheter tip includes a housing having a cavity defined therein and a rotating element positioned within the fluid filled space. The rotating element is rotated within the cavity of the housing to impart movement of the first end portion of the main body within the fluid filled space.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of devices, systems, and methods for tracking the positions and orientations of at least one bone screw implanted within a surgical site. The disclosed device includes an extension that includes an extension base configured to couple to the bone screw, a marker arm coupled at one end to the extension base in a hinged arrangement, and an optical marker attached to a free end of the marker arm opposite the hinged attachment. The optical marker includes a pair of lenticular arrays in a coplanar arrangement in which the major axes of the lenticular arrays are mutually perpendicular. Each lenticular array is configured to display different hues at different viewing angles. The disclosed method includes transforming a single image of a surgical site containing at least one bone screw and extension into the global positions of each bone screw based on the pixel positions and hues corresponding to the lenticular arrays of each optical marker.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seed region for use in a seed-based cortical functional mapping method includes providing at least one RSN map of at least one subject, each of the at least one RSN maps comprising a plurality of functional voxels within a brain of each of the at least one subjects, each functional voxel of the plurality of functional voxels associated with a probability of membership in an RSN. A subset of the functional voxels characterizing a contiguous region is selected as the seed region, each functional voxel of the seed region having a probability of membership in the RSN above a threshold value.

Abstract: Computing systems and computer-implemented methods for removing brain stimulation artifacts in neural signals are disclosed. The method makes use of a matching pursuit algorithm to accurately extract the stimulation artifact. The disclosed method removes the stimulation artifact associated with individual stimulation pulses without needing additional information from previous stimulation pulses or other electrodes. The disclosed method is compatible for use with various stimulation frequencies, does not need any filtering, and can recover neural signals almost immediately after stimulation. The disclosed method is compatible for use in has great potential in closed-loop systems used in various neurological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A target location for a therapeutic intervention is determined in a subject with a neurological disorder. The target location is selected within at least one resting state network (RSN) map according to a predetermined criterion for the neurological disorder. The at least one RSN map includes a plurality of functional voxels within a brain of the subject, and each functional voxel of the plurality of functional voxels is associated with a probability of membership in an RSN. Instructions are transmitted to a treatment system that cause operation to be performed on the selected target location.