Abstract: A conductive hydrogel precursor solution cures after injection into the vasculature of the myocardium. The vasculature acts as a mold for the hydrogel and allows for a pacing signal to be conducted across the myocardium and not at a single point like traditional pacing leads. The catheter-based delivery can accurately place the hydrogels into the myocardial veins and can fill the venous tributaries. In situ crosslinking of the hydrogel precursor solution is achieved through several mechanisms, such as redox initiation by mixing a reducing reagent and oxidizing agent after injection. Conductivity is achieved by doping in conductive polymers or other conductive elements such as ionic species, metallic nanoparticles, or graphene nanoplatelets. To ensure long-term conductivity, hydrogel macromers may be synthesized without hydrolytically labile groups such as esters, and the conductive elements may be conjugated directly to the hydrogel matrix.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes: memory having a terminal, the memory to store machine-readable instructions and adjacent channel leakage data; and programmable circuitry having a terminal coupled to the terminal of the memory, the programmable circuitry to execute the machine-readable instructions to: determine a range of out-of-band frequencies responsive to adjacent channel leakage ratio data; generate weight values responsive to electromagnetic emissions within the range of out-of-band frequencies of a first signal; modify a pre-distortion function responsive to the weight values; and apply the modified pre-distortion function to generate a second signal, the second signal to exhibit fewer emissions in the range of out-of-band frequencies than the first signal during transmission.

Abstract: An example method includes switching a first multiplexer circuit associated with first delay circuitry from (a) a first sub-lookup table (LUT) of a first LUT of digital pre-distortion (DPD) corrector circuitry to (b) a first corresponding sub-LUT of a second LUT of the DPD corrector circuitry, the first sub-LUT associated with the first delay circuitry, the second LUT storing updated values to compensate for non-linearity of power amplifier circuitry of a transmitter including the DPD corrector circuitry. The method includes, based on a value of a counter being equal to a difference between (1) a first delay of the first delay circuitry and (2) a second delay of second delay circuitry, switching a second multiplexer circuit associated with the second delay circuitry from (a) a second sub-LUT of the first LUT to (b) a second corresponding sub-LUT of the second LUT, the second sub-LUT associated with the second delay circuitry.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes: programmable circuitry to receive an input signal, a digital pre-distorter (DPD) output signal, and a power amplifier (PA) feedback signal; populate a partial matrix with a threshold number of rows of equation terms; compute a respective observation terms for each row in the threshold number of rows; reduce the partial matrix into a Hermitian matrix and reduce the observation terms into a vector; accumulate the Hermitian matrix and the vector onto the memory; regularize, after a determination that a threshold number of Hermitian matrices have been accumulated, the memory to form an output matrix; and pre-distort the input signal using the output matrix.

Abstract: In described examples, an integrated circuit includes an output terminal coupled to an input of a power amplifier, a feedback terminal coupled to an output of the power amplifier, a data terminal that receives a data stream, and a digital pre-distortion (DPD) circuit. The DPD circuit includes a capture circuit, a DPD estimator responsive to the data stream and the feedback terminal, and a DPD corrector responsive to the DPD estimator. The DPD estimator includes an instruction memory configured to store instructions and a vector arithmetic processing unit (APU) coupled to the instruction memory. The vector APU includes vector memories, vector arithmetic blocks, and an instruction decode block. The vector arithmetic blocks include vector addition blocks and vector multiplication blocks. The instruction decode block is configured to cause the vector APU to perform complex domain vector arithmetic on vectors stored in the vector memories in response to the instructions.

Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.

Abstract: A conductive hydrogel precursor solution cures after injection into the vasculature of the myocardium. The vasculature acts as a mold for the hydrogel and allows for a pacing signal to be conducted across the myocardium and not at a single point like traditional pacing leads. The catheter-based delivery can accurately place the hydrogels into the myocardial veins and can fill the venous tributaries. In situ crosslinking of the hydrogel precursor solution is achieved through several mechanisms, such as redox initiation by mixing a reducing reagent and oxidizing agent after injection. Conductivity is achieved by doping in conductive polymers or other conductive elements such as ionic species, metallic nanoparticles, or graphene nanoplatelets. To ensure long-term conductivity, hydrogel macromers may be synthesized without hydrolytically labile groups such as esters, and the conductive elements may be conjugated directly to the hydrogel matrix.

Abstract: A surgical needle is configured to detect whether a distal tip of the surgical needle perforates or ends up in an undesirable location, or detect whether the distal tip of the surgical needle has accessed a desired location. The surgical needle includes a hub and a body connected to the hub. The body has a hollow core and includes a sharp-pointed tip at a distal end. A first electrode is formed by the sharp-pointed tip of the body. At least a second electrode is provided around the body. The first and second electrodes are connected to a wired connector that can be plugged into an external sensing system. The external sensing system can monitor impedance, electrical parameters, or other parameters.

Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.

Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.

Abstract: A one-time write, read-only memory for storing trimming parameters includes an address pointer table, a fixed packet portion, and a flexible packet portion. The fixed packet portion includes one or more fixed packets, each fixed packet including trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming during a design phase. The flexible packet portion includes one or more flexible packets of different types. Each flexible packet includes trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming after the design phase. One packet type includes a length section and a number of fields equal to a value stored in the length section. Each field includes an address, a trimming parameter, and a mask. Another packet type includes trimming parameters associated with operands in operating instructions for a microcontroller, where the operands include an address and a mask.

Abstract: A one-time write, read-only memory for storing trimming parameters includes an address pointer table, a fixed packet portion, and a flexible packet portion. The fixed packet portion includes one or more fixed packets, each fixed packet including trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming during a design phase. The flexible packet portion includes one or more flexible packets of different types. Each flexible packet includes trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming after the design phase. One packet type includes a length section and a number of fields equal to a value stored in the length section. Each field includes an address, a trimming parameter, and a mask. Another packet type includes trimming parameters associated with operands in operating instructions for a microcontroller, where the operands include an address and a mask.

Abstract: A one-time write, read-only memory for storing trimming parameters includes an address pointer table, a fixed packet portion, and a flexible packet portion. The fixed packet portion includes one or more fixed packets, each fixed packet including trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming during a design phase. The flexible packet portion includes one or more flexible packets of different types. Each flexible packet includes trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming after the design phase. One packet type includes a length section and a number of fields equal to a value stored in the length section. Each field includes an address, a trimming parameter, and a mask. Another packet type includes trimming parameters associated with operands in operating instructions for a microcontroller, where the operands include an address and a mask.

Abstract: A one-time write, read-only memory for storing trimming parameters includes an address pointer table, a fixed packet portion, and a flexible packet portion. The fixed packet portion includes one or more fixed packets, each fixed packet including trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming during a design phase. The flexible packet portion includes one or more flexible packets of different types. Each flexible packet includes trimming parameters for a component identified for trimming after the design phase. One packet type includes a length section and a number of fields equal to a value stored in the length section. Each field includes an address, a trimming parameter, and a mask. Another packet type includes trimming parameters associated with operands in operating instructions for a microcontroller, where the operands include an address and a mask.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an impedance sensing system for monitoring the position of the tip of the surgical instrument relative to the pericardial space. The surgical instrument consists of a guidewire or needle including a conductive core terminating at a distal tip of the guidewire or needle. The distal tip has a conductive surface exposed to patient tissues and/or fluids. The impedance sensing system includes a first electrode formed by the exposed surface of the guidewire or needle, and at least a second electrode isolated from the conductive core of the guidewire or needle. The second electrode may be formed on an outer surface of the guidewire or needle, or may be a pad electrode applied to the patient skin. The impedance sensing system also includes an impedance analyzer for measuring impedance and phase using one or more frequencies.

Abstract: Catheter ablation systems are used to isolate the Left Atrial Appendage (“LAA”), or portions of the LAA, by using balloons. The systems deliver an ablation fluid such as alcohol in order to destroy the LAA tissue isolated between the balloons, deliver saline to dilute the ablation fluid, and remove excess fluid and particulates by suction to prevent excess residual alcohol from remaining in the LAA.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a head including ports, a tail including conduits, and a medical balloon located between the head and the tail. Each conduit is connected to one of the ports. The medical balloon comprises ridges located around a circumference of the medical balloon. One or more sensors are located in the conduits. The catheter system can be used for ablation of the left atrial appendage using an ablation agent. The catheter system is capable of sealing the left atrial appendage, administering the ablation agent, delivering rinsing fluid into the sealed cavity, and extracting liquid from the sealed cavity.

Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.