Abstract: Systems and method to measure pressure are described herein. The system can include a force sensor can that be implanted into a patient to measure, for example, cardiac pressure. The force sensor can include first and second film layers that can define a plurality of pressure cells. An external pressure can deform the pressure cells and change their resonant frequency. When exposed to an acoustic signal, the pressure cells can resonant at a pressure-dependent resonant frequency. The system can detect reflected acoustic waves generated by the resonance of the pressure cells. The system can convert the frequency readings into pressure values.

Abstract: Implanted medical devices need a mechanism of immobilization to surrounding tissues, which minimizes tissue damage while providing reliable long-term anchoring. This disclosure relates to techniques for patterning arbitrarily shaped 3D objects and to patterned balloon devices having micro- or nano-patterning on an outer surface of an inflatable balloon. The external pattern can provide enhanced friction and anchoring in an aqueous environment. Examples of these types of patterns are hexagonal arrays inspired by tree frogs, corrugated patterns, and microneedle patterns. The patterned balloon devices can be disposed between an implant and surrounding tissues to facilitate anchoring of the implant.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device that can be implanted into the left atrial appendage for occlusion. The device can prevent or reduce thrombus formation in this anatomic region for patients with atrial fibrillation. This device includes a patient-specific inflatable device that represents a patient's anatomy or morphological class. The inflatable device can be designed by imaging (e.g., computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) the patient's anatomy. Through a catheter (or surgically), the inflatable device can be filled with an inflation fluid to occlude the appendage in a patient-specific fashion.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating flexible/stretchable circuits can include identifying one or more regions of a printed circuit board (PCB) for selectively removing insulation material. The PCB can include one or more electrically conductive structures arranged on an insulation layer. The method can include applying, within each region of the one or more regions, thermal energy via a heat source to a surface of the PCB within the region such that insulation material of the insulation layer is removed from the region while a portion of the insulation layer beneath the one or more electrically conductive structures is maintained. The flexible/stretchable circuit can be laminated on a soft actuator to form a soft robotic device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices having improved conformal properties for biomedical signal measurement are disclosed. A device can have a first polymer substrate coupled to a conductive layer forming a conductive trace electrically coupled to a conductive pad exposed via an opening. The device can have a second polymer substrate forming a first cavity between the first polymer substrate and the second polymer substrate. The device can have a first inlet portion that receives a fluid that expands the first cavity causing the device to conform to an anatomical structure. The structure can be an atrium, such as the left atrium, of the heart of a patient. The device can conform to the walls of the tissue structure, and the conductive pad exposed via the opening can detect a signal from the wall of the tissue structure. The signal can be provided to an external measurement device for processing.

Abstract: A catheter system is provided that reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria near the urethral opening from being carried by the catheter during insertion, and by allowing cycling (filling and emptying) of the bladder. The system includes a main lumen, and a balloon near a distal end thereof that is inflatable, after insertion, to open an eyelet to the main lumen that allows urine to flow from the bladder into the main lumen. A catheter system with two balloons, e.g., a retention and an actuation balloon, is also provided herein. An access port at a proximal end has a resting configuration that closes the proximal end of main lumen to prevent drainage of urine through the main lumen. An access cap is provided that, when installed in the access port, opens the access port to allow urine to flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device that can be implanted into the left atrial appendage for occlusion. The device can prevent or reduce thrombus formation in this anatomic region for patients with atrial fibrillation. This device includes a patient-specific inflatable device that represents a patient's anatomy or morphological class. The inflatable device can be designed by imaging (e.g., computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) the patient's anatomy. Through a catheter (or surgically), the inflatable device can be filled with an inflation fluid to occlude the appendage in a patient-specific fashion.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes approaches to voice restoration using personal devices that detect surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals from articulatory muscles for the recognition of silent speech in a patient (such as a patient with total laryngectomy, on voice rest, etc.). A personal device may comprise a cutaneous sensor unit and a control module that wirelessly transmits signals to a computing device capable of, for example, applying a predictive model to signals to generate text or synthesize speech. Methods and systems for training and applying predictive models, and fabricating personal devices, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and a method for producing patient-specific small diameter vascular grafts (SDVG) for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In some embodiments, the method for producing SDVGs includes non-invasive quantification of patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD), rapid prototyping, and in vitro techniques to medical images and coupling the quantified patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology from the CFD to computational fluid-structure interactions and SDVG structural factors to design a patient-specific SDVG.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system that can enable the prediction of coronary flow without invasive medical procedure. The system can generate physical models that can provide an accurate assessment of coronary mechanics and enable realistic simulation of coronary procedures. The models can enable the hemodynamic measurement of flow through the model and the study of flow dynamics through the model and the biomechanics of the model.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a replacement valve that can remove or lacerate the anterior mitral leaflet (or other portion of the heart) to reduce the obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The replacement valve can include integrated cutting features to lacerate a leaflet of a heart valve. For example, the cutting features can include blades or electrosurgical features that can cut the leaflets to reduce obstruction of the LVOT. As the cutting features are integrated components of the replacement valve, the laceration of the leaflet can follow implantation of the replacement valve and enables for clinical decisions to be made based on the degree of obstruction to the LVOT following the implantation procedure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and a method for producing patient-specific small diameter vascular grafts (SDVG) for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In some embodiments, the method for producing SDVGs includes non-invasive quantification of patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD), rapid prototyping, and in vitro techniques to medical images and coupling the quantified patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology from the CFD to computational fluid-structure interactions and SDVG structural factors to design a patient-specific SDVG.

Abstract: The systems and method described herein can generate guidance images that can indicate the real-time position of a medical device within an anatomical target. For example, the images can be high-resolution, 3D holographic renderings of a catheter (an example medical device) within a patient's heart (an example anatomical target). The guidance system can generate images that include computer generated (CG) images or models of the medical device and target anatomy. The guidance system can generate the CG images of the target anatomy from pre-operative images of a first modality, such as CT images or MR images. The guidance system can determine real-time placement position of the medical device from an intra-operative image of a second modality, such as fluoroscopic images.

Abstract: Implanted medical devices need a mechanism of immobilization to surrounding tissues, which minimizes tissue damage while providing reliable long-term anchoring. This disclosure relates to techniques for patterning arbitrarily shaped 3D objects and to patterned balloon devices having micro- or nano-patterning on an outer surface of an inflatable balloon. The external pattern can provide enhanced friction and anchoring in an aqueous environment. Examples of these types of patterns are hexagonal arrays inspired by tree frogs, corrugated patterns, and microneedle patterns. The patterned balloon devices can be disposed between an implant and surrounding tissues to facilitate anchoring of the implant.

Abstract: Systems and method to measure pressure are described herein. The system can include a force sensor can that be implanted into a patient to measure, for example, cardiac pressure. The force sensor can include first and second film layers that can define a plurality of pressure cells. An external pressure can deform the pressure cells and change their resonant frequency. When exposed to an acoustic signal, the pressure cells can resonant at a pressure-dependent resonant frequency. The system can detect reflected acoustic waves generated by the resonance of the pressure cells. The system can convert the frequency readings into pressure values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for occluding a body cavity including providing an implantable void-filling device, wherein the implantable void-filling device includes an inflatable implant that defines an interior of the implantable void-filling device. The inflatable implant is capable of being filled with an inflation material to cause the inflatable implant to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The implantable void-filling device also includes a connection hub attached to an exterior surface of the inflatable implant and a plurality of independent anchors coupled to and extending out from the connection hub along the length of the inflatable implant, such that the plurality of anchors collectively surround the inflatable implant. The connection hub and anchors are configured such that expansion of the anchors away from the surface of the inflatable implant anchors the void filling device to a body tissue.

Abstract: Transcatheter stent valve implants and implants that preserve functional caliber of the left ventricle outflow tract, LVOT, and streamlined blood flow from left ventricular inflow to the LVOT. The implants have inflatable balloons that prevent regurgitation around the device and allow more accurate sizing and fit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and a method for producing patient-specific small diameter vascular grafts (SDVG) for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In some embodiments, the method for producing SDVGs includes non-invasive quantification of patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD), rapid prototyping, and in vitro techniques to medical images and coupling the quantified patient-specific coronary and vascular physiology from the CFD to computational fluid-structure interactions and SDVG structural factors to design a patient-specific SDVG.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device that can be implanted into the left atrial appendage for occlusion. The device can prevent or reduce thrombus formation in this anatomic region for patients with atrial fibrillation. This device includes a patient-specific inflatable device that represents a patient's anatomy or morphological class. The inflatable device can be designed by imaging (e.g., computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) the patient's anatomy. Through a catheter (or surgically), the inflatable device can be filled with an inflation fluid to occlude the appendage in a patient-specific fashion.