Abstract: A medical alarm communications system comprises a pager like device to be kept near a patient. The pager like device communicates medical alerts regarding the patient to a remote central station, which can provide therapeutic and/or diagnostic assistance by communicating to the pager like device. When the pager like device determines that an alert should be sent to the central station, it attempts to establish communication with the central station according to a primary communication protocol. If this attempt is unsuccessful according to some predetermined criteria (e.g. too much time has elapsed before communication is established), then the pager like device generates a message to the patient indicative of the failure, and The attempts to establish communication with the central station according to a secondary communication protocol.

Abstract: A drug infusion system located at least partially external to the patient having a pump and an external patient programmer control configured to allow adjustment of therapy. Adjustment may include setting, selecting and adjusting the transition period between drug delivery rates. The system can present to the patient an alert related to the adjustment and receive patient input information in response thereto. A patient response rule module is configured to apply a rule to the input information provided by a patient. For example, the patient response rule can be used to provide an insulin pump setting according to the patient response rule or to provide a setting, or to provide a setting that is proposed to the user. Other systems and methods are also described such as asking questions related to the adjustment of future therapy settings.

Abstract: A drug infusion system located at least partially external to the patient having a pump and a patient programmer control configured to present to the patient a question and receive patient input information in response thereto. A patient response rule module is configured to apply a rule to the input information provided by a patient. For example, the patient response rule can be used to provide an insulin pump setting according to the patient response rule or to provide a setting, or to provide a setting that is proposed to the user. Other systems and methods are also described such as asking questions related to the adjustment of future therapy settings.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and systems for treatment of brain disorders using neuromodulation of brain networks. Implantation occurs by selecting sites which modulate the network in selected manners, or are modulated by a stimulus in a particular manner that is relevant to treatment of the network. The candidate locations within a brain region are evaluated in relation to how these are indirectly modulated by stimulation at a different brain region. Treatment of one or more brain networks associated with a brain disorder is realized with a consideration of network dynamics and coupling effects such as indirect stimulation of non-target regions. A brain modulation system (BMS) increases, decreases, or otherwise modulates network regional activity in a differential manner. Therapy and electrode locations are adjusted using sensed data and target implantation criteria related to the brain network model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents during payment card transactions especially for e-commerce and e-transactions. Fraud deterrents may be selected and configured by a client, bank, or other third-party and provided to a client in customized manners which may be configured on a client's authorized device Or otherwise as defined in an e-profile associated with a payment card. Fraud deterrent options may be contingent upon transaction features including a client's profile, transaction value, or other preferences. The deterrent features may be customized by the client and include use of conceptual passwords.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing therapy related to urological disorders which relate to stimulation of the saphenous nerve (SAFN) either alone or in combination with the posterior tibial nerve (PTN), medial plantar nerve (MPN) or lateral planar nerve. In embodiments nerves are stimulated by percutaneous, transcutaneous, and/or implanted stimulators. In embodiments the SAFN is stimulated below the level of the knee or near the medial malleolus. Embodiments also disclose improving nerve stimulation, including SAFN stimulation, using systems and methods termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS) since these enhance the excitation of neural tissue. In an embodiment, systems and methods are provided to increase the chance of providing the selective modulation of specific (targeted) neural substrate, while decreasing the risk of activation of adjacent (non-targeted) nervous tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing therapy related to urological disorders which relate to stimulation of the saphenous nerve (SAFN) either alone or in combination with the posterior tibial nerve (PTN), medial plantar nerve (MPN) or lateral planar nerve. In embodiments nerves are stimulated by percutaneous, transcutaneous, and/or implanted stimulators. In embodiments the SAFN is stimulated below the level of the knee or near the medial malleolus. Embodiments also disclose improving nerve stimulation, including SAFN stimulation, using systems and methods termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS) since these enhance the excitation of neural tissue. In an embodiment, systems and methods are provided to increase the chance of providing the selective modulation of specific (targeted) neural substrate, while decreasing the risk of activation of adjacent (non-targeted) nervous tissue.

Abstract: This application includes systems and techniques relating to wirelessly rechargeable medical apparatus, such as a wirelessly powered medical system including: a wireless power transmitter; and a medical apparatus including a wireless energy harvesting device configured to receive at least one type of wireless power from the wireless power transmitter and be mounted on an exterior surface of a human body, a medical device configured to be implanted in the human body, and one or more electrical conduits configured to couple the wireless energy harvesting device on the exterior surface of the human body with the medical device implanted in the human body, wherein the one or more electrical conduits provide harvested electric power from the wireless energy harvesting device to the medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system, according to some implementations, includes: an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals for both data transmission and power transmission; and a wireless device coupled with the antenna, the wireless device configured to cause the antenna to transmit the radio frequency signals for the data transmission and the power transmission; wherein the wireless device includes a communication module configured to perform data transmission operations with respect to power transmission operations according to a temporal schedule; and wherein the temporal schedule specifies occurrence of the data transmission operations and the power transmission operations at different intervals.

Abstract: A drug infusion system located at least partially external to the patient having a pump and a patient programmer control configured to present to the patient a question and receive patient input information in response thereto. A patient response rule module is configured to apply a rule to the input information provided by a patient. For example, the patient response rule can be used to provide an insulin pump setting according to the patient response rule or to provide a setting, or to provide a setting that is proposed to the user. Other systems and methods are also described such as asking questions related to the adjustment of future therapy settings.

Abstract: A wireless power network including multiple electromagnetic resonators each capable of storing electromagnetic energy at a resonant frequency is disclosed. The multiple resonators include: a first resonator configured to be coupled to a power source to receive power from the power source; a second resonator configured to be coupled to a load to provide power to the load, and one or more intermediate resonators. The first resonator is configured to provide power from the power source to the second resonator through the one or more intermediate resonators. At least a first pair of resonators among the multiple resonators is configured to exchange power wirelessly, and at least a second pair of the resonators among the multiple resonators is configured to exchange power through a wired electrically conductive connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing therapy related to urological disorders. Particular embodiments of this technology relate to stimulation of lumbar spinal targets either alone or in combination with a sacral target. In embodiments spinal roots are stimulated by partially or fully implanted stimulators to treat symptoms by producing bladder excitation or inhibition relative to that which occurs prior to stimulation. Embodiments also disclose improving nerve stimulation, including lumbar nerve root stimulation, using systems and methods termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS) since these enhance the excitation of neural tissue.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: A rechargeable medical system comprised of an implanted device, rechargeable power storage operatively connected to the implantable device, a charging module operatively connected to the rechargeable storage, and external devices including a patient programmer and external charging means. The charging module can harvest at least one of thermal, photovoltaic, movement, RF, and magnetic energy to generate electrical power. The system has components for charging the storage from the generated power, and for measuring power generation, usage and reserve levels. The system provides for physically initiating and disrupting charging operations, for generating and communicating signals relevant to power harvesting, for monitoring, providing, and displaying data related to energy generation and energy generation criteria, and for tracking historical harvesting and energy consumption. The system may also have long-range and short-range wireless power harvesting capability.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.

Abstract: A device for detecting cardiac ischemia is disclosed. The device includes a processor that is configured to distinguish between ventricularly paced beats and supraventricular beats. The processor applies different ischemia tests to the two different beat types, and generates alert when it detects ischemia. The processor collects and counts the ST segment deviation values for ventricularly paced beats for a pre-set time period. The processor then determines if the number of ventricularly paced beats is insufficient to perform ischemia detection. If so, then the processor collects ST deviation values for additional paced beats. When the processor determines that a sufficient number of ventricularly paced beats have been acquired, it identifies ischemic beats by the application of ischemia detection criteria to the ST deviation values of the collected ventricularly paced beats.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by.