Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulsewidth, frequency, pulse morphology, electrode contact selection or location, return path electrode selection, pulse polarity, etc. The model uses a non-uniform tissue conductivity. This accurately represents brain tissue, which has highly directionally conductive neuron pathways yielding a non-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue medium. In one example, the non-uniform tissue conductivity is obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In one example, a second difference of an electric potential distribution is used to define a volume of activation (VOA) or similar volume of influence.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. In an example, volumetric imaging data representing an anatomical volume of a brain of a patient can be obtained and transformed to brain atlas data. A patient-specific brain atlas can be created using the inverse of the transformation to map the brain atlas data onto the volumetric imaging data and a volume of influence can be calculated using the patient-specific brain atlas. In certain examples, the volume of influence can include a predicted volume of tissue affected by an electrical stimulation delivered by an electrode at a corresponding at least one candidate electrode target location.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. In an example, a target volume of activation (VOA) can be received, a test VOA can be simulated, and at least one of a target electrode location or parameter can be provide using a relationship between the target VOA and the test VOA.

Abstract: A device and method for retaining an excess portion of a lead implanted within or on a surface of a brain of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a burr hole ring configured to be secured to a skull of the patient and a lead retainer extending from the burr hole ring. The lead retainer is configured to store at least a section of the excess portion of the lead.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for occluding tributary blood vessels inside a principal blood vessel while still allowing blood to flow through the principal vessel. The apparatus has a support structure and associated membrane that can be collapsed for insertion into the principal vessel. Once inserted at the desired location the support is allowed to expand, forcing the membrane to contact the inner walls of the vessel with sufficient force to occlude the openings of the tributary vessels.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulsewidth, frequency, pulse morphology, electrode contact selection or location, return path electrode selection, pulse polarity, etc. The model uses a non-uniform tissue conductivity. This accurately represents brain tissue, which has highly directionally conductive neuron pathways yielding a non-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue medium. In one example, the non-uniform tissue conductivity is obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In one example, a second difference of an electric potential distribution is used to define a volume of activation (VOA) or similar volume of influence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for quantifying residential emissions reductions. In particular, the system and method may comprise the steps of: measuring an energy savings resulting from an energy savings opportunity in a residential property, calculating an emissions reduction resulting from the energy savings, aggregating a plurality of emissions reductions into a tradable commodity, monitoring the residential energy savings opportunities, monitoring the quantification of the emissions reduction, and verifying the quantification of the emissions reduction. The system may include means for conducting each of these steps.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulsewidth, frequency, pulse morphology, electrode contact selection or location, return path electrode selection, pulse polarity, etc. The model uses a non-uniform tissue conductivity. This accurately represents brain tissue, which has highly directionally conductive neuron pathways yielding a non-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue medium. In one example, the non-uniform tissue conductivity is obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In one example, a second difference of an electric potential distribution is used to define a volume of activation (VOA) or similar volume of influence.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: A device for modulating a volume of neural tissue comprising: a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending to at least the distal end, an actuator mechanism at least partially disposed in the lumen of the cannula; a plurality of leads having at least one electrode disposed thereon, the plurality of leads being coupled to the actuator mechanism to reciprocate between a retracted position wherein the plurality of leads are radially constrained within the lumen and an extended position; and a guide provided at the distal end of the cannula to deflect the plurality of leads radially outwardly into the neural tissue when the actuator mechanism is moved to the extended position.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for quantifying residential emissions reductions. In particular, the system and method may comprise the steps of: measuring an energy savings resulting from an energy savings opportunity in a residential property, calculating an emissions reduction resulting from the energy savings, aggregating a plurality of emissions reductions into a tradable commodity, monitoring the residential energy savings opportunities, monitoring the quantification of the emissions reduction, and verifying the quantification of the emissions reduction. The system may include means for conducting each of these steps.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided. The device comprises a sealing member, the member including a mesh material and a gripping element operatively attached to the sealing member, the gripping element operatively adapted to allow a user to position the sealing member to seal a blood vessel. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: A feeding tube having an internal end portion and an external end portion. An external terminal end positioned on said external end portion. The feeding tube defines a feeding lumen therethrough from the external end portion to the internal end portion. A fillable retaining member is mounted on the internal end portion of the feeding tube. The tube further defines a filling lumen that extends from an internal point on an internal end portion side of the retaining member to an external point on an external end portion side of the retaining member. The external point is spaced from the external terminal end. The filling lumen is fluidly sealed at the external point. The filling lumen is in fluid communication with said retaining member.

Abstract: An acoustic tracking system designed to allow scientists and fishermen to follow dolphins and whales without harming or harassing them. The system utilizes six flow shielded hydrophones mounted on the bottom of a vessel in two arrays of three hydrophones in each array. Acoustic signals of interest (dolphin calls) which strike the hydrophone piezo-electric elements are transmitted to a receiver-display device which determines and displays both the bearing to the signal of interest and the relative range from the vessel to that signal. The receiver-display device utilizes digital microprocessors to determine the difference in signal arrival time of an incoming signal at pairs of hydrophones. The resulting computed bearing to the dolphin call is displayed as a lighted indicator on an electronic heading display.

Abstract: An acoustic tracking system designed to allow scientists and fishermen to follow dolphins and whales without harming or harassing them. The system utilizes six flow shielded hydrophones mounted on the bottom of a vessel in two arrays of three hydrophones in each array. Acoustic signals of interest (dolphin calls) which strike the hydrophone piezo-electric elements are transmitted to a receiver-display device which determines and displays both the bearing to the signal of interest and the relative range from the vessel to that signal. The receiver-display device utilizes digital microprocessors to determine the difference in signal arrival time of an incoming signal at pairs of hydrophones. The resulting computed bearing to the dolphin call is displayed as a lighted indicator on an electronic heading display.

Abstract: An instrumented drift fish aggregating device to attract game fish for harvest. A highly positive flotation buoy with instrumentation including visual and radio acquisition devices floats on the water. Suspended from the buoy are a plurality of suspension lines connected to a ballast weight, which combine for stability of the buoy. A multiplicity of fish attraction streamers are connected to the suspension lines. The device can provide information to a remote location, such as a fishing vessel, by radio means as to its location, water temperature and quantity of fish in the vicinity of the buoy.