Abstract: An intravascular electrode device for use in neuromodulation includes an anchor expandable from a radially compressed position to a radially expanded position. A lead extends from the anchor and has at least one conductor extending through it. A flex circuit is coupled to the anchor and comprises a flexible insulative substrate, a plurality of electrodes carried by the substrate, and a plurality of conductive traces carried by the substrate, each trace electrically coupled to an electrode and a conductor. Expansion of the anchor within a blood vessel biases the electrodes into contact with the surrounding blood vessel wall. An exemplary anchor includes a first portion having expansion forces sufficient to bias the electrodes against the vessel wall for mapping and chronic stimulation, and a second portion having greater radial expansion forces sufficient to chronically engage the vessel wall once an optimal electrode location has been selected.

Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes a rigid tube carried by a mount. Cannulas having instrument channels and steerable distal ends extend distally from the rigid tube. During a procedure using the system, the mount is supported by an operating room fixture, and instruments are advanced through the steerable instrument channels. Manipulation of the instrument handles engages actuators positioned on the mount, which steer the distal ends of the cannulas through the action of pull cables. The distal ends of the instruments may thus be steered within the body by the distal ends of the steerable cannulas.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, user performance and/or motivation for a computing system may be maximized by optimizing one or more target components of a user interface of the computing system. The target components may be aspects of the user interface that is perceived by the user. One or more input features and one or more output features may be identified, and data regarding these input and output features may be gathered. This data may be compared with the results generated by a set of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms to determine which of them provides the best fit with the data collected. Then, the selected artificial intelligence algorithm may be applied to the user interface to iteratively change the target components over time until the optimal settings for each user are discovered.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.

Abstract: The present application describes a retention device for anchoring a medical device within the vasculature. The device may include expandable member coupled to an intravascular medical device and proportioned for receipt within a vessel. At least a portion of the expandable member is expandable to radially engage a vessel wall and to thereby retain the medical device within the vessel. The system is suitable for a variety of intravascular devices, including but not limited to ICD's, pacemakers, and intravascular drug delivery systems.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus for analyzing signals comprises a spectrum analyzer and a frequency extension module. The spectrum analyzer includes an IF switch which switches between an internal IF signal and an external IF signal, and a LO coupler which is configured to output a portion of one or more LO signals. The frequency extension module is configured to receive the one or more LO signals from the spectrum analyzer and send an IF signal to the spectrum analyzer. A diplexer band switch is used to direct the low band signals to the spectrum analyzer and to direct the high band signals to the frequency extension module where they are downconverted to the external IF which is output to the IF switch.

Abstract: A hierarchical based sequencing (HBS) machine learning model. In one example embodiment, a method of employing an HBS machine learning model to predict multiple interdependent output components of an MOD output decision may include determining an order for multiple interdependent output components of an MOD output decision. The method may also include sequentially training a classifier for each component in the selected order to predict the component based on an input and based on any previous predicted component(s).

Abstract: An intravascular electrode device for use in neuromodulation includes an anchor expandable from a radially compressed position to a radially expanded position. A lead extends from the anchor and has at least one conductor extending through it. A flex circuit is coupled to the anchor and comprises a flexible insulative substrate, a plurality of electrodes carried by the substrate, and a plurality of conductive traces carried by the substrate, each trace electrically coupled to an electrode and a conductor. Expansion of the anchor within a blood vessel biases the electrodes into contact with the surrounding blood vessel wall.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for performing a medical procedure using direct percutaneous access of an aorta. A main sheath is introduced through an incision formed in proximity to the sternum, and positioned along (and preferable against) a posterior portion of the sternum. Instruments passed through the main sheath are used to form a purse-string suture in an exterior wall of the aorta. An opening is formed in the wall of the aorta in a region encircled by the purse-string suture, and a distal end of an introducer sheath is advanced through the opening into the aorta. A medical procedure, which may be a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is performed using instruments passed through the introducer sheath into the aorta. After the medical procedure, the introducer sheath is withdrawn from the aorta and, as the introducer sheath is withdrawn, the purse-string suture is tightened to close the opening.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion (16) of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall (14) prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.

Abstract: A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, user performance and/or motivation for a computing system may be maximized by optimizing one or more target components of a user interface of the computing system. The target components may be aspects of the user interface that is perceived by the user. One or more input features and one or more output features may be identified, and data regarding these input and output features may be gathered. This data may be compared with the results generated by a set of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms to determine which of them provides the best fit with the data collected. Then, the selected artificial intelligence algorithm may be applied to the user interface to iteratively change the target components over time until the optimal settings for each user are discovered.

Abstract: A device for facilitating use of instruments disposed through an aortic arch includes an embolic deflector having a first surface positionable in contact with a wall of an aortic arch such that a porous barrier portion of the embolic deflector covers ostia of at least the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries. A second surface is disposed on an opposite face from the first surface. A lubricious guide track is disposed on the second surface and extends longitudinally on the embolic deflector. The deflector and/or guide track is supported by a shaft that is extendable through a femoral artery and descending aorta to position the guide within the aortic arch. During use, the device is percutaneously introduced via the femoral artery and advanced into the aorta. The porous barrier portion of the deflector is positioned over the target ostia, and the guide track thus faces into the aortic arch.

Abstract: An intravascular electrode system includes an expandable anchor and a flexible substrate which carries at least one electrode. The anchor is positioned in a blood vessel and expanded to an expanded position to bias the electrode in contact with the vessel wall. The flexible substrate may be longitudinally withdrawn from its position between the anchor and the vessel wall without removing the anchor from the blood vessel. A second flexible substrate may be longitudinally inserted into position between the anchor and vessel wall as replacement for the first substrate.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.

Abstract: A cost accounting system and method of promoting four organizing principles of sustainability measurement: (1) the principle of measuring “sustainably autogenous systems” (nature and behavior) for efficiency engineering to achieve measurable increases in EROEI; (2) the principle of measuring “full spectrum renewable energy technology” to include: (a) integrative design engineering for increased energy production capacity by the combination, synergy and aggregation of solar, wind, geothermal, moving water, biomass conversion; and (b) integrative design engineering to achieve measurable increases in economic capacity of produced capital by infrastructure engineering; (3) the principle of measuring hydrogen-carbon dissociation to achieve measurable increase in renewable energy value and measurable increase in renewable material resource value and (4) the principle of measuring the liberation of local economic talent by creating local jobs in sustainability programs and eliciting local leadership so as to achieve