Abstract: In various embodiments, a needle is employed in refilling drug-delivery devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure described methods, systems, and techniques for applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound to locate areas of blockage within retinal vessels and to break up clots that are causing damage. In addition to identifying the damaged area, the researchers anticipate that the initial image may serve as a baseline for monitoring the effect of treatment on the vessel, which may be achieved in multiple ways. The vibration effect of the ultrasound itself may suffice to dislodge clots. The microbubbles may also be coated or filled with medication, with ultrasonic shock waves activating the coating or causing mini explosions to release the medicine. Loading the microbubbles with a therapeutic agent, visualizing their presence at the diseased site using the ultrasound diagnostic mode, and then activating the microbubbles to release their contents at the targeted lesion could be a powerful and effective way to reverse occlusion without harming other areas of the eye or body.

Abstract: Embodiments of method of manufacturing an implantable pump, including providing an upper layer comprising a dome structure for housing a drug chamber and a cannula in fluid communication with the drug chamber, providing a middle deflection layer adjacent the drug chamber, providing a bottom layer comprising electrolysis electrodes, and bonding the upper layer, middle deflection layer, and bottom layer to form the pump.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and at least one support embedded in said array. The disclosure further relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a folded flexible circuit cable connecting the electrode array with an interconnection pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a “priming” stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.

Abstract: In various embodiments, implants including reservoirs, such as intraocular lenses, feature flexible membranes and valves integrated therewith, the valves having apertures that are normally closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a saliency-based apparatus and methods for visual prostheses. A saliency-based component processes video data output by a digital signal processor before the video data are input to the retinal stimulator. In a saliency-based method, an intensity stream is extracted from an input image, feature maps based on the intensity stream are developed, plural most salient regions of the input image are detected and one of the regions is selected as a highest saliency region.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the modulation of the activity of electrically excitable cells. In particular, several embodiments relate to the use of photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells.

Abstract: A medical device having a permeable bag connected by a non-permeable cannula to a discharge sac is described along with a manufacturing process and surgical implantation method. The permeable portions of the device have pores that are sized to be permeable to a predetermined class of small molecules, such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, or other therapeutic agents. Once absorbed inside the device, the small molecules are then passively transported, by a concentration gradient of the small molecules, to the discharge sac to be disbursed. A metal tube or other strip can be included in the cannula to assist a surgeon in orienting the device within the body.

Abstract: The artificial percept of light may be created by electrically stimulating the neurons of the retina. While a photolithographed array internal to the retina provides superior resolution, an array external to the retina provides easier implantation and improved manufacturability. Therefore it is advantageous to supply a high-resolution electrode array internal to the sclera, near the fovea and a lower-resolution electrode array eternal to the sclera near the periphery of the retina. It is advantageous to encourage current to flow through the retina by providing a physically separate and distinct electrode array and return electrode. The high-resolution electrode array and lower-resolution electrode array may be return electrodes for the other, or completely separate return electrodes may be provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method of identifying a preferred location for an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject and array location to array location. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the preferred location. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the preferred location.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a video device suitable to be word on the head of a user in the form of glasses. The glasses frame supports a camera, active electronics and a battery.

Abstract: A medical sensor is described. In an example, the medical sensor includes a nanoscale tapered waveguide attached to a substrate. The nanoscale tapered waveguide includes a nanoscale channel that receives fluid and an excitation light and that outputs a response light. The excitation light propagates through the fluid. A receiving channel of the nanoscale channel is configured as a waveguide that receives and guides the excitation to a linearly tapered channel of the nanoscale channel. The linearly tapered channel has three dimensional linear tapering that focuses the excitation light guided from the receiving channel into an optical response channel of the nanoscale channel. In turn, the optical response channel is configured as a waveguide that outputs a response light in response to the excitation light focused from the linearly tapered channel. The response light corresponds to a response of an analyte of the fluid present in the optical response channel.

Abstract: In various embodiments, high-viscosity fluids are utilized to fill implantable reservoirs while filling accuracy is improved via elimination of dead space and/or utilization of pushing fluids to urge the high-viscosity fluid into the implantable reservoir.

Abstract: Fluid-filled accommodating intraocular lenses include components enabling the lens to effectively respond to the eye's natural accommodation process, thereby allowing the patient to visualize over a range of focal distances with minimal complications. Internal components may include, for example, a rigid member that alters optical power of the lens and/or a spanning member extending across the lens that affects the response to accommodative action and/or to filling, or overfilling, of the lens with an optical fluid. Various combinations of internal and external components may be implanted in distinct successive steps or during separate operations to minimize complications and incision size.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an intraocular lens features multiple compartments that, depending on the angular position of the lens, present different combinations of fluids to the central optical region of the lens to alter the refractive power of the lens.

Abstract: Implantable reservoir structures include an interior and/or exterior modifying element joined to the interior and/or exterior surface of the membrane defining the reservoir in order to alter one or more physical properties thereof. The physical properties can be mechanical (e.g., material strength, flexibility, shear modulus, Young's modulus, hardness, and/or ductility); optical (e.g., refraction, transparency, transmission spectrum, absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, and/or color); and/or permeability to liquids generally or to a particular type of liquid, solute, or suspended material.