Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of guiding a user to achieve musculoskeletal counterpulsation. A method may include receiving a cardiovascular cycle signal from a first sensor; determining a heart rate of the user based on the cardiovascular cycle signal; receiving a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity timing signal from a second sensor; determining an actual musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiovascular cycle (CC) timing relationship; comparing the actual MSKC to CC timing relationship to a target MSKC to CC timing relationship; providing a recurrent prompt to the user as a timing indication for performance of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to guide the user to achieve a musculoskeletal activity cycle rate (MSKR) that approaches the target MSKC to CC timing relationship; and altering a feature of the recurrent prompt based on a determined alignment between the actual MSKC to CC timing relationship and the target MSKC to CC timing relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of guiding a user to achieve musculoskeletal counterpulsation. A method may include receiving a cardiovascular cycle signal from a first sensor; determining a heart rate of the user based on the cardiovascular cycle signal; receiving a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity timing signal from a second sensor; determining an actual musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiovascular cycle (CC) timing relationship; comparing the actual MSKC to CC timing relationship to a target MSKC to CC timing relationship; providing a recurrent prompt to the user as a timing indication for performance of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to guide the user to achieve a musculoskeletal activity cycle rate (MSKR) that approaches the target MSKC to CC timing relationship; and altering a feature of the recurrent prompt based on a determined alignment between the actual MSKC to CC timing relationship and the target MSKC to CC timing relationship.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.

Abstract: Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.