Abstract: An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact. A rotation of the tool about a central axis of the pacemaker lead is configured to rotate the first electrical contact and the first electrode together about the central axis and to slidingly engage the second electrical contact along the second electrode.

Abstract: An intravascular multi-side hole catheter containing a bioscaffold capable of housing therapeutic cells is provided. The catheter comprises a plurality of side holes distributed along the length of the catheter in a spiraling corkscrew pattern. The bioscaffold inside the catheter is designed with a plurality of macropores capable of encapsulating therapeutic cells for cellular therapy. Upon placement of the catheter in a vein, the side holes allow blood to flow though the catheter thereby supplying oxygen and nutrients to any loaded cellular cargo and also providing for the removal of waste products. Methods of producing the intravascular catheter and methods of using the intravascular catheter in cellular therapy, including for delivery of insulin-secreting cells such as beta cells or stem cell-derived islets into blood vessels for treating type 1 diabetes are also disclosed.

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 surgical cutting device for performing a minimally-invasive surgical procedure and which includes an external hub including a housing and a cutter actuator housed within the housing, wherein the cutter actuator, a catheter including a first end coupled to the external hub, a second end opposite the first end, and an internal passage, a cutting tool coupled to the second end of the catheter and including a cutting element moveable relative to the second end of the catheter by the cutter actuator, and a motion transfer assembly extending through the internal passage of the catheter from the cutter actuator to the cutting tool, wherein the motion transfer assembly is configured to transfer motion from the cutter actuator to the cutting element of the cutting tool in response to the activation of the cutter actuator.

Abstract: A bioscaffold comprising a graphene matrix for use in cellular therapy is disclosed. In particular, a bioscaffold having a coating of dexamethasone on a three-dimensional graphene matrix is provided, wherein the bioscaffold elutes dexamethasone to reduce inflammatory responses following implantation of the bioscaffold in a subject. Having the dexamethasone released locally in the vicinity of the bioscaffold avoids the systemic side effects from conventional intravenous delivery while allowing the dexamethasone to modulate the inflammatory milieu within the transplantation microenvironment.

Abstract: Nanoparticles, methods, and kits are provided for supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells. Nutrient deprivation is a significant factor which contributes to poor outcome of many cell transplants because cells receive insufficient nutrients until they are able to establish a functional microcirculation to support their metabolic and physiological needs after transplantation. Nanoparticles are provided for use in supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells to improve cell survival. Such nanoparticles can be used to supply nutrients and other factors to transplanted cells until the transplanted cells are able to develop a new microcirculation.

Abstract: A method of improving electrical conduction across an impaired region of a tissue (e.g., myocardial tissue), includes applying an electrically conductive wiring carbon nanotube fibers) across the impaired region. The electrically conductive wiring can become associated with non-impaired regions of the tissue on opposite sides of the impaired region by suturing. The method can also be utilized to treat or prevent cardiac arrhythmia in a subject (e.g., ventricular arrhythmia). The electrically conductive wiring includes carbon nanotubes, such as carbon nanotube fibers, Such electrically conductive wiring can be used to transmit electrical signals to a tissue or sense electrical signals from the tissue. Suture threads including carbon nanotubes, such as carbon nanotube fibers, are provided.

Abstract: Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules.

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: Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles and methods of using them for detecting reactive oxygen species are disclosed. In particular, methods of using SERS nanoparticles to detect and quantify reactive oxygen species Synthesis and monitor oxidative stress and disease-relevant changes in levels of reactive oxygen species are provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional oxygen-generating bioscaffold capable of supplying cells with a continuous, controlled, and steady source of oxygen and methods of using such an oxygengenerating bioscaffold to prevent hypoxia-induced damage to cells following transplantation are disclosed. In particular, a collagen-based cryogel bioscaffold having calcium peroxide (CPO) incorporated into its matrix is provided, wherein the CPO produces oxygen upon exposure to water. The collagen-based cryogel is designed with a plurality of macropores capable of encapsulating therapeutic cells for cellular therapy. Methods of producing oxygen-generating bioscaffolds and tissue grafts comprising therapeutic cells contained in such oxygen-generating bioscaffolds as well as their use in cellular therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable device comprises a plurality of electrode pairs, a sensing unit, and a pacing unit. The electrode pairs comprise a first electrode pair. The first electrode pair is configured to implant at or near a first location of a heart. The sensing unit is configured to sense electrical activity in the heart, determine that the electrical activity indicates an abnormal rhythm, determine a feature of the electrical activity, and select the first electrode pair from the electrode pairs based on the feature. The pacing unit is configured to cause, in response to the abnormal rhythm and the feature, the first electrode pair to provide a first electrical pulse at a first time.

Abstract: An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact.

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: Methods for collapsing a tubular organ, such as the esophagus, involve inserting a device into the tubular organ, at least partially sealing off a section of the tubular organ, and drawing in the wall of the tubular organ by application of suction. The devices may be used to move the wall of the tubular organ away from an area undergoing treatment or therapy, such as to minimize damage to the tubular organ by application of radiofrequency energy or to limit temperature increase of the tubular organ.

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: Methods for collapsing a tubular organ, such as the esophagus, involve inserting a device into the tubular organ, at least partially sealing off a section of the tubular organ, and drawing in the wall of the tubular organ by application of suction. The devices may be used to move the wall of the tubular organ away from an area undergoing treatment or therapy, such as to minimize damage to the tubular organ by application of radiofrequency energy or to limit temperature increase of the tubular organ.

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: Herein disclosed is a method of detecting and identifying the source of abnormal electrical currents in the heart to assist in ablating these currents, comprising the use of contact or non-contact temperature measurement devices. In an embodiment, source of abnormal electrical activity of the heart and its attached arteries and veins show different temperature patterns from normal segments. In an embodiment, the method further comprises analyzing the temperature of the chamber of interest, and determining regions of low or high temperature by extension metabolic activity. In an embodiment, the method comprises measuring myocardial temperature comprising placing an array of thermocouples imbedded on a basket in the cardiac chamber. In an embodiment, the thermocouples are placed in contact with the myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A vascular access device including a hollow introducer sheath configured to receive a catheter. The sheath is insertable into a blood vessel. The device includes a plurality of electrodes on the introducer sheath, a signal generator coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and a measurement unit coupled to at least two of the plurality of electrodes. The device further includes a controller coupled to the signal generator and to the measurement unit. The controller is configured to use the measurement unit to obtain impedance values, determine that a bleed is occurring from the impedance values, and in response to the determination that a bleed is occurring, constrict the blood vessel through application of an electrical signal by the signal generator.