Abstract: A medical device that is at least partially coated with an enhancement layer, and a method for inserting the medical device a patient. One non-limiting type of enhancement layer that can be used includes titanium oxynitride or titanium nitride oxide (TiNOx) and/or zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy).

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve that is at least partially coated with an enhancement layer, and a method for inserting the prosthetic heart valve in a patient. The prosthetic heart valve includes an expandable frame, a leaflet structure, and optionally an inner skirt and/or an outer skirt. One or more of the components of the prosthetic heart valve can be partially or fully coated with the enhancement layer. One type of enhancement layer that can be used includes titanium oxynitride or titanium nitride oxide (TiNOx) and/or zirconium oxynitride (ZrNxOy).

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless deep brain stimulation using ultrasonic waves. Implantable device(s) for intracranial use within a subject may comprise at least one stimulation means, one or more circuits for collecting system data, a receiver, and a transmitter for communications using ultrasonic waves. A wearable controller external to the subject, the wearable controller configured to: communicate with the implantable device(s) using the ultrasonic waves and obtain the system data, analyze the system data to determine whether the subject is experiencing or is expected to experience an adverse medical condition, and communicate with the implantable device(s) using the ultrasonic waves to apply a stimulation to treat the adverse medical condition. The system may be used to treat Parkinson's Disease, for example.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, the distal end including a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: Wirelessly networked systems of implantable and non-implantable medical devices with networking protocols, software, and hardware that allow for communications and energy transfer between different the medical devices (free standing, implants and wearables) using ultrasonic waves. The networks and methods of use are used to construct cardiac pacing, deep brain stimulation, and neurostimulation networks based on ultrasonic wide band technology.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic dianhydride includes reacting an aromatic diimide with a substituted or unsubstituted phthalic anhydride in an aqueous medium in the presence of an amine exchange catalyst to provide an aqueous reaction mixture including an N-substituted phthalimide, an aromatic tetraacid salt, and at least one of an aromatic triacid salt and an aromatic imide diacid salt. The method further includes removing the phthalimide from the aqueous reaction mixture by extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a first extractor for a first time period, at a first extraction temperature and subsequent to the first time period, extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a second extractor for a second time period, at a second extraction temperature. The aromatic tetraacid salt is converted to the corresponding aromatic dianhydride. Aromatic dianhydrides prepared according to the method are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, the distal end including a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system that uses ultrasonic waves to transfer energy and data, enabling for the control and recharging of a cardiac assist device. Data and energy transfer are accomplished using pulsed ultrasonic waves. The use of ultrasonic waves allows for wireless transcutaneous energy transfer to power the cardiac assist device pump in absence of a driveline, reducing complications associated with driveline infections and improving patient quality of life.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for secured intrabody networks and interfaces for IoT and ultrasound wideband. Example devices may include a wearable device in contact with a surface of a human body, the wearable device including an ultrasonic wave generator configured to transmit ultrasonic waves, and an external receiver configured to receive the ultrasonic waves and determine data encoded in the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves may encode a single bit of data in multiple pulses through a pseudorandom time hopping scheme.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic dianhydride includes reacting an aromatic diimide with a substituted or unsubstituted phthalic anhydride in an aqueous medium in the presence of an amine exchange catalyst to provide an aqueous reaction mixture including an N-substituted phthalimide, an aromatic tetraacid salt, and at least one of an aromatic triacid salt and an aromatic imide diacid salt. The method further includes removing the phthalimide from the aqueous reaction mixture by extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a first extractor for a first time period, at a first extraction temperature and subsequent to the first time period, extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a second extractor for a second time period, at a second extraction temperature. The aromatic tetraacid salt is converted to the corresponding aromatic dianhydride. Aromatic dianhydrides prepared according to the method are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: Wirelessly networked systems of implantable and non-implantable medical devices with networking protocols, software, and hardware that allow for communications and energy transfer between different the medical devices (free standing, implants and wearables) using ultrasonic waves. The networks and methods of use are used to construct cardiac pacing, deep brain stimulation, and neurostimulation networks based on ultrasonic wide band technology.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a feedback-driven enterprise communications platform that continuously monitors and improves the effectiveness of communications within and across organizations. In one embodiment, it employs supervised machine learning techniques to correlate the attributes of such communications (e.g., topic, purpose, sentiment, authors, target audience, title and body length, publication date and time, inclusion of images, video and other media, as well as various other characteristics) with metrics representing the behavioral interactions with such communications by dynamically changing target audiences. The present invention utilizes such correlations to optimize predefined communications-related goals (defined as functions of such metrics) by generating advice (e.g., in the form of ranges of attribute values) designed to improve over time the two-way dialogue between the authors of communications and their dynamically changing target audiences.