Abstract: Implants must protect against implant contamination and corrosion of electronics. However, when electrical components are fitted to flexible substrates, failure can occur at electrical connections. An implant comprises: a flexible substrate; a first and second electrical component at a first and second position, electrically connected through an interconnect layer; a first and second component cover, separately encapsulating the first and second component to resist the ingress of body fluids into the component positions; wherein the flexible substrate allows a relative change in disposition between the first component cover and the second component cover. One or more electrodes are provided at a third position. By encapsulating each component separately, the position of force/tension is moved away from the component attachment position to a point somewhere between the component positions. By disposing one or more electrode away from the components, the ingress is further restricted.

Abstract: During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, health professionals need to accurately locate areas of interest. Inaccuracies may mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. Electro-magnetic and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) markers have been developed, but these are bulky and prone to failure. For example, any inaccuracy may result in an incomplete resection or removal of the lesion, requiring additional treatments.

Abstract: In general, implantation of neurostimulation systems or device includes subcutaneous or percutaneous placement of at least the electrodes. Preferred are minimally invasive implantation procedures, systems and devices that can reliably operate for extended periods, and systems and devices providing a high degree of comfort for the subject. The implantation specialist may need to address adequate placement of the electrodes with respect to the nerve tissue to be stimulated, and to choose between one or more convenient locations for the elements of the system or device. Methods are provided comprising forming a first 1250 and second 1260 incision on opposite sides of a target location, and introducing a first introducer sheath 3050a under the skin with a maximum internal transverse cross-section less than the further maximum transverse cross-section 710 of an implantable stimulator. Such a method is advantageous if the maximum transverse cross-section 710 of the further portion is at least 1.

Abstract: A method includes configuring, by a computing device, stimulation settings for each electrode in an at least one electrode array in physical contact with a patient, the stimulation settings having adjustable parameters comprising frequency, pulse width, and amplitude, obtaining, by the computing device, feedback information from the patient, and automatically adjusting, by the computing device, at least one of the adjustable parameters based on the feedback information from the patient.

Abstract: Conventional devices deliver a degree of electrical charge into biological tissues; —to satisfy regulatory and safety concerns, measures are taken to maintain a zero-charge residual at the stimulation site. Disclosed herein is a method of controlling electrical energy provided by a stimulation device to one or stimulation electrodes comprised in the device, the device including: a first stimulation electrode; a pulse energy controller for transferring electrical energy as one or more electrical stimulation pulses to the first stimulation electrode; the pulse energy controller further including two or more stimulation energy supplies for each supplying electrical energy substantially concurrently to the first stimulation electrode as a first pulse; and each supplying electrical energy separately to the first stimulation electrode as a second pulse.

Abstract: During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, health professionals need to accurately locate areas of interest. Inaccuracies may mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. Electro-magnetic and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) markers have been developed, but these are bulky and prone to failure. For example, any inaccuracy may result in an incomplete resection or removal of the lesion, requiring additional treatments.

Abstract: Typically, stimulation therapy is provided using one or more implanted stimulation electrodes. Anatomy and treatment protocols can vary greatly—it is therefore advantageous to provide a highly configurable stimulation system. A tissue stimulation system is provided including an implantable end and a stimulation energy source, the implantable end including: an elongated substrate; one or more stimulation electrodes; and one or more proximal return electrodes; the stimulation energy source including: one or more distal return electrodes, disposed distantly from the one or more stimulation electrodes; and a pulse energy controller including a ratio controller, wherein: the proximal return electrodes and the distal return electrodes are configured as an electrical return for the stimulation electrodes; the ratio controller modifying the electrical potential and/or current ratio of the first part to the second part. A substantially transverse electric field may be provided.

Abstract: A mismatch in curvature of an electrode lead section may create unexpected and/or unpredictable electrical resistance with underlying tissue. In addition, repeated movement of the relevant areas of the body may even worsen the mismatch. Implants for electrical stimulation require low electrical resistance conductors for stimulation electrodes, return electrodes and interconnections which conventionally use metal for wires and contacts. These conductors reduce the flexibility, and the problem becomes worse as the number of electrodes increases. An implantable stimulation device is provided with an elongated substrate, one or more interconnections, a flexible electrode with two portions, separated by one or more bending interruptions, wherein the first portion and second portion are in direct electrical connection through the one or more interconnections.

Abstract: An implantable restraint is provided that includes an opening, configured to receive a tissue anchor; a pair of protrusions between the opening and a distal edge, providing an anchor resistance to a longitudinal force; where the pair of protrusions are further configured to separate by a distance approximately equal to the tissue anchor when the longitudinal force exceeds a first predetermined threshold, such that the pair of protrusions moves past the tissue anchor. By providing one or more openings extending through the substrate, the growth of tissue which naturally occurs after implantation is utilized to assist in securing the implantable restraint at the implantation site. By providing the pair of protrusions configured to provide resistance, a high degree of control of the restraining force and the explantation force is provided.

Abstract: In general, implantation of neurostimulation systems or device includes subcutaneous or percutaneous placement of at least the electrodes. Preferred are minimally invasive implantation procedures, systems and devices that can reliably operate for extended periods, and systems and devices providing a high degree of comfort for the subject. The implantation specialist may need to address adequate placement of the electrodes with respect to the nerve tissue to be stimulated, and to choose between one or more convenient locations for the elements of the system or device. Methods are provided comprising forming a first 1250 and second 1260 incision on opposite sides of a target location, and introducing a first introducer sheath 3050a under the skin with a maximum internal transverse cross-section less than the further maximum transverse cross-section 710 of an implantable stimulator. Such a method is advantageous if the maximum transverse cross-section 710 of the further portion is at least 1.

Abstract: Implants must protect against implant contamination and corrosion of electronics. However, when electrical components are fitted to flexible substrates, failure can occur at electrical connections. An implant comprises: a flexible substrate; a first and second electrical component at a first and second position, electrically connected through an interconnect layer; a first and second component cover, separately encapsulating the first and second component to resist the ingress of body fluids into the component positions; wherein the flexible substrate allows a relative change in disposition between the first component cover and the second component cover. One or more electrodes are provided at a third position. By encapsulating each component separately, the position of force/tension is moved away from the component attachment position to a point somewhere between the component positions. By disposing one or more electrode away from the components, the ingress is further restricted.

Abstract: During charging of implantable devices via inductive coupling, heat may be produced within the implantable device, so control of the charging may be desirable to reduce or avoid the risk of undesirable tissue heating. Exchanging parameters relevant for charging may prevent undesirable heating, but typically increase the complexity of the devices used. An implantable device is provided, for wirelessly receiving energy pulses, monitoring the energy storage, and transmitting a first sufficient energy signal if the energy storage exceeds a first maximum value. An associated energy transmission device is provided, for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of successive energy pulses transmitted at a first power level, pausing energy transmission immediately after the first sufficient energy signal is received, and subsequently resuming energy pulse transmission at the first power level if no further sufficient energy signal is received.

Abstract: In general, implantation of neurostimulation systems or device includes subcutaneous or percutaneous placement of at least the electrodes. Preferred are minimally invasive implantation procedures, systems and devices that can reliably operate for extended periods, and systems and devices providing a high degree of comfort for the subject. The implantation specialist may need to address adequate placement of the electrodes with respect to the nerve tissue to be stimulated, and to choose between one or more convenient locations for the elements of the system or device. Methods are provided comprising forming a first 1250 and second 1260 incision on opposite sides of a target location, and introducing a first introducer sheath 3050a under the skin with a maximum internal transverse cross-section less than the further maximum transverse cross-section 710 of an implantable stimulator. Such a method is advantageous if the maximum transverse cross-section 710 of the further portion is at least 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, record carrier and method of recording data on at least two layers of a recording medium by using a radiation power, wherein individual recording speeds are determined for respective ones of the at least two layers at different values of the radiation power. A recording speed to be used for recording on an individual one of the at least two recording layers is selected based on a maximum radiation power specified for the recording operation, and the speed of the recording operation is controlled individually for each of the at least two layers based on the selected recording speed. The determination of the individual recording speeds at different radiation power values may be written or embossed on the record carrier. Furthermore, a recording sequence used for recording on the recording layers can be set based on the sensitivities and thus recording speeds. Thereby, total recording time can be minimized for multi-layer recording media.

Abstract: Optical record carrier (20) adapted to storing data using a recording/reading device. The recording/reading device comprises an ultra-violet laser source emitting electromagnetic radiation (29) having a wavelength X in the range of 230 nm to 270 nm. The recording/reading device further comprises an objective lens (21) for focussing the electromagnetic radiation (29) on the optical recording carrier NA is the numerical aperture of the objective lens. The optical record carrier comprises a spiral track (22), which has a track pitch TP between 0.55* ?/NA and 0.75* ?/NA.

Abstract: A dual-stack optical data storage medium (10) for write-once recording using a focused radiation beam (9) having a wavelength ? of approximately 655 nm is described. The radiation beam enters through an entrance face (8) of the medium (10) during recording. The medium comprises at least one substrate (1, 7) with present on a side thereof: a first recording stack (6), named L0, comprising a write-once type L0 recording layer, said first recording stack L0 having an optical reflection value RL0 and an optical transmission value TL0, a second recording stack (3), named L1, comprising a write-once type L1 recording layer, said second recording stack L1 having an effective optical reflection value RL1eff. The first recording stack (6) is present at a position closer to the entrance face (8) than the second recording stack. (3). A transparent spacer layer (4) is sandwiched between the recording stacks (3, 6). The reflection values RL0 and RL1eff are within the following ranges: 0.12?RL0?0.18 and 0.12?RL1eff?0.

Abstract: A writable optical record carrier (100) comprising a plurality of recording layers LO, . . . , Ln-1 separated by a spacer material, each recording layer comprising an optimum power calibration area (101,111,121,131) having a first portion (102,112,122) with an average reflection value representative of a recorded layer and a second portion (113,123,133) with an average reflection value representative of an unrecorded layer, a method, and an apparatus for forming optimum power calibration areas on such a writable optical record carrier are presented. The optimum power calibration areas partially overlap such that the optimum power calibration areas of each pair of consecutive recording layers form a step, and the first portions of said plurality of recording layers have the form of a staircase. Each step formed by a pair of consecutive recording layers k, k+1 has a preferred minimum step size.

Abstract: A device for recording information writes and reads marks and spaces which each have a nominal run length. The power of a radiation source is controlled for writing the marks and spaces in accordance with a power pattern in dependence on the run length. The power pattern for a mark of a long run length comprises at least three pulses having a write power (65), at least one first intermediate period between the pulses having a bias power (66), and at least one second intermediate period between the pulses having a reduced bias power (70), the at least one second intermediate period including the intermediate period before the final pulse of the power pattern. Due to the reduced bias power, the preheat at the start of a next mark after a long mark and a space is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical storage medium comprising below an entrance face (EF) a higher recording stack (ST0) comprising a higher recording layer (L0) and at least a lower recording stack (ST1), said lower recording stack (ST1) being recorded or read back by a radiation beam (4) entering into the optical storage medium through the entrance face (EF) with a wavelength (?), focused on said lower recording stack (ST1) and transmitted through the higher recording stack (ST0), a recording of the higher recording layer (L0) causing an optical thickness variation between recorded and unrecorded areas of said first recording layer (L0), which is included into the range [0.03?, 0.125?].

Abstract: A record carrier is for recording information by writing marks in a track on a recording layer. The shortest mark used for recording the information has a length of a predefined minimum number d of channel bit lengths. The record carrier (11) has a pregroove that is modulated by a carrier pattern containing focus marks (18,19) that provides a focus area (12) at a predefined location on the recording layer. The focus marks have lengths of at least two times the length of the shortest mark for being substantially longer than the effective diameter of the scanning spot. A scanning device locates the focus area and determines the best focus offset by detecting the maximum read signal amplitude while scanning the carrier pattern.