Abstract: A conductive lead apparatus for an implantable medical device includes a first conductor having a first outer diameter and a length, a high-dielectric constant layer having a second outer diameter and disposed around the first outer diameter of the first conductor, and a second conductor disposed around the second outer diameter of the high dielectric constant layer. The first conductor, high dielectric constant layer and the second conductor form a distributed capacitance along the length of the first conductor.

Abstract: A lead for an implanted medical device is disclosed in which the lead is adapted for electrical communication with an electrical signal source and has a distal tip with an electrode. The lead comprises a wire adapted to be placed in electrical communication with electrode. The wire includes: (i) a core comprising a polymeric material, and (ii) a metallic layer surrounding an outer surface of the core. The metallic layer includes a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The lead is substantially transparent to radio frequency waves in clinically-applicable magnetic resonance environments to reduce radio frequency absorption and avoid substantial heating effects.

Abstract: Methods, systems and arrangements are provided for obtaining electroencephalograph (“EEG”) EEG signals from a patient e.g., during a concurrent EEG/MRI examination of the patient. The methods, systems and arrangements include a cap made of conductive inks with sensor positions for attaching a plurality of sensors to the patient's head. The sensors can include electrodes as well as motion sensors for improving EEG signal quality and MRI image quality in the presence of motion noise and other artifacts within the MRI environment. The electrodes may be composed of conductive inks, and can be used in high magnetic fields due to a weak interaction with the RF fields generated by the MRI scanner. The exemplary methods, systems and arrangements can achieve lower SAR and lower temperature increase, as compared to conventional electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining brain health of a subject include or employ an electrical stimulator configured to apply a current to at least one pair of electrodes, and the electrodes are positioned on a skull of the subject to apply the current and to receive brain activity of the subject. The electrical stimulator is configured to apply a current having a waveform according to a Stochastic Gabor Function (SGF). A signal processor is configured to record the brain activity of the subject in the form of spectral electrical impedance data, and a computer system having non-transient computer readable media is programmed and configured to process the spectral electrical impedance data and indicate an impedance change within the brain of the subject.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormalities or inconsistencies and a method to utilize the same are provided. In particular, a computer system may be adapted to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within at least a portion of a subject by generating internal impedance data which indicates that an impedance change within the portion of the subject has occurred. For example, the impedance change may be associated with a change in at least one characteristic of a blood vessel within the subject (such as a change in a fluid flow rate within at least a portion of the subject), a change in a fluid volume within at least a portion of the subject, etc. The impedance change also may be associated with the presence of a foreign object within the portion of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, it is possible to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within the subject by generating a continuous, real time internal impedance map indicating the impedance change within the subject.

Abstract: A lead for an implanted medical device is disclosed in which the lead is adapted for electrical communication with an electrical signal source and has a distal tip with an electrode. The lead comprises a wire adapted to be placed in electrical communication with electrode. The wire includes: (i) a core comprising a polymeric material, and (ii) a metallic layer surrounding an outer surface of the core. The metallic layer includes a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The lead is substantially transparent to radio frequency waves in clinically-applicable magnetic resonance environments to reduce radio frequency absorption and avoid substantial heating effects.

Abstract: An electrode array (10) is configured for implantation into a subject. The electrode array (10) includes an organic substrate material (12) configured to be implanted into an in vivo environment and to optionally dissolve after implantation into the in vivo environment and be absorbed by the in vivo environment, and an electrode (14) mounted to the organic substrate material (12) and configured to acquire signals generated by the in vivo environment. The electrode array (10) includes a connection pad (20) mounted to the organic substrate (12), and a conductive trace (16) formed between the electrode (14) and the connection pad (2). The conductive trace (16) includes a conductive ink that is MRI-compatible.

Abstract: An electromagnetic cortical stimulation array structured to stimulate cortical regions during a presurgical localization of eloquent areas. The device includes array of miniature elongated magnetic coils (optionally overlaid on an array of electrodes) oriented substantially parallel to one another and structured to be inserted under the dura during an open cranial neurosurgery. Each coil and electrode is activated (optionally, selectively) to subdurally stimulate different regions of the cortex to determine functions of each cortical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining brain health of a subject include or employ an electrical stimulator configured to apply a current to at least one pair of electrodes, and the electrodes are positioned on a skull of the subject to apply the current and to receive brain activity of the subject. The electrical stimulator is configured to apply a current having a waveform according to a Stochastic Gabor Function (SGF). A signal processor is configured to record the brain activity of the subject in the form of spectral electrical impedance data, and a computer system having non-transient computer readable media is programmed and configured to process the spectral electrical impedance data and indicate an impedance change within the brain of the subject.

Abstract: An electrode array (10) is configured for implantation into a subject. The electrode array (10) includes an organic substrate material (12) configured to be implanted into an in vivo environment and to optionally dissolve after implantation into the in vivo environment and be absorbed by the in vivo environment, and an electrode (14) mounted to the organic substrate material (12) and configured to acquire signals generated by the in vivo environment. The electrode array (10) includes a connection pad (20) mounted to the organic substrate (12), and a conductive trace (16) formed between the electrode (14) and the connection pad (2). The conductive trace (16) includes a conductive ink that is MRI-compatible.

Abstract: Designs of magnetic microcoil neural stimulator and driving pulse parameters to maximize current in tissue to excite neurons and to harvest energy drained from microcoil. Judiciously designed microcoil stimulator facilitates spatial selectivity and steerability stimulation while lowering consumption of energy and recovering unused energy stored in the coil. Several different coil array layouts for different stimulation strategies are presented.

Abstract: An implant for deep brain stimulation (DBS) has an array of electromagnetic microcoils dispersed over the length of the implant. The microcoils produce magnetic fields that are directed into, and induce current in, the adjacent brain tissue. The microcoils may be selectively operated to direct and focus electrical stimulation to targeted areas of the brain. The implant is useful in studying or treating neurophysiological conditions associated with the deep regions of the brain such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and depression.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulation device includes a magnetic coil specifically dimensioned to be implantable inside the tissue and structured to generate, in the vicinity of the target tissue adjacent to which such coils is disposed in operation, magnetic field the strength of which is substantially the same as the strength of magnetic field generated in such tissue during the conventional TMS procedure. The modulation of orientation of microcoil modulates the activation of targeted neuronal tissue.

Abstract: A lead including a liquid crystal polymer including conductive particles dispersed therein. The lead may be adapted to conduct direct current for deep brain stimulation treatment or for use in other in vivo medical devices, while limiting the heat in implants in implants when exposed to MRI environments. Related methods of making the lead are also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormalities or inconsistencies and a method to utilize the same are provided. In particular, a computer system may be adapted to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within at least a portion of a subject by generating internal impedance data which indicates that an impedance change within the portion of the subject has occurred. For example, the impedance change may be associated with a change in at least one characteristic of a blood vessel within the subject (such as a change in a fluid flow rate within at least a portion of the subject), a change in a fluid volume within at least a portion of the subject, etc. The impedance change also may be associated with the presence of a foreign object within the portion of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, it is possible to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within the subject by generating a continuous, real time internal impedance map indicating the impedance change within the subject.

Abstract: An implant for deep brain stimulation (DBS) has an array of electromagnetic microcoils dispersed over the length of the implant. The microcoils produce magnetic fields that are directed into, and induce current in, the adjacent brain tissue. The microcoils may be selectively operated to direct and focus electrical stimulation to targeted areas of the brain. The implant is useful in studying or treating neurophysiological conditions associated with the deep regions of the brain such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and depression.

Abstract: Methods, systems and arrangements are provided for obtaining electroencephalograph (“EEG”) EEG signals from a patient e.g., during a concurrent EEG/MRI examination of the patient. The methods, systems and arrangements include a cap made of conductive inks with sensor positions for attaching a plurality of sensors to the patient's head. The sensors can include electrodes as well as motion sensors for improving EEG signal quality and MRI image quality in the presence of motion noise and other artifacts within the MRI environment. The electrodes may be composed of conductive inks, and can be used in high magnetic fields due to a weak interaction with the RF fields generated by the MRI scanner. The exemplary methods, systems and arrangements can achieve lower SAR and lower temperature increase, as compared to conventional electrodes.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormalities or inconsistencies and a method to utilize the same are provided. In particular, a computer system may be adapted to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within at least a portion of a subject by generating internal impedance data which indicates that an impedance change within the portion of the subject has occurred. For example, the impedance change may be associated with a change in at least one characteristic of a blood vessel within the subject (such as a change in a fluid flow rate within at least a portion of the subject), a change in a fluid volume within at least a portion of the subject, etc. The impedance change also may be associated with the presence of a foreign object within the portion of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, it is possible to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within the subject by generating a continuous, real time internal impedance map indicating the impedance change within the subject.

Abstract: A signal recording system and a method for recording such signals is provided. In particular, a device is operable to be removably attached to a subject and to obtain signals (e.g., electroencephalogram (“EEG”) signals) from the subject. The device includes an amplifier and an electrode or a sensor. For example, the amplifier cna provide a radion frequency attenuation to the subject, and the amplifier can be mounted on the electrode, provided within the electrode, provided in the vicinity of the electrode, etc.