Abstract: The disclosure provides example methods that include a processor: (a) generating at least one phase contrast image of a biological specimen comprising one or more cells centered around a focal plane for the biological specimen; (b) generating a confluence mask in the form of a binary image based on the at least one phase contrast image; (c) receiving a first brightfield image of the biological specimen at a defocusing distance above the focal plane and a second brightfield image of the biological specimen at the defocusing distance below the focal plane; (d) generating a cell image of the biological specimen based on the first and second brightfield image; (e) generating a seed mask based on the cell image and the phase contrast image; and (f) generating an image of the biological specimen showing a cell-by-cell segmentation mask based on the seed mask and the confluence mask.

Abstract: The disclosure provides example methods that include a processor: (a) generating at least one phase contrast image of a biological specimen comprising one or more cells centered around a focal plane for the biological specimen; (b) generating a confluence mask in the form of a binary image based on the at least one phase contrast image; (c) receiving a first brightfield image of the biological specimen at a defocusing distance above the focal plane and a second brightfield image of the biological specimen at the defocusing distance below the focal plane; (d) generating a cell image of the biological specimen based on the first and second brightfield image; (e) generating a seed mask based on the cell image and the phase contrast image; and (f) generating an image of the biological specimen showing a cell-by-cell segmentation mask based on the seed mask and the confluence mask.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector, a helically coiled conductor and a first mechanical element. The connector is configured to connect the lead to an external control module. The helically coiled conductor has a proximal end mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The conductor includes a plurality of filars mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The first mechanical element includes a metal tube having a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves formed along an exterior of the tube. The plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves receives at least some of the plurality of filars. The at least some of the plurality of filars electrically connected to the first mechanical element such that the first mechanical element is configured as an electrode to deliver electrical stimulation to portions or systems of a body from the external control module.

Abstract: Lead electrodes having an asymmetrically distributed current density and methods for imparting current density directionality in lead electrodes are described. An implantable medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal section that connects to another implantable device and a distal section having a pre-biased shape configured to secure the lead to an inner wall of a body vessel. An electrode coupled to the distal section of the lead body includes a conductor mass having an asymmetrically distributed current density that imparts a directionality to one or more active portions of the electrode.

Abstract: Inductive displacement sensors and methods of using them may be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, systems for precisely measuring linear or angular motion may use inductive displacement sensors to measure changes in position. An apparatus, such as a sensor, can include a primary inductor. The apparatus can also include a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The apparatus can further include a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor can be configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler. The coordinated inductors can be configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector, a helically coiled conductor and a first mechanical element. The connector is configured to connect the lead to an external control module. The helically coiled conductor has a proximal end mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The conductor includes a plurality of filars mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The first mechanical element includes a metal tube having a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves formed along an exterior of the tube. The plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves receives at least some of the plurality of filars. The at least some of the plurality of filars electrically connected to the first mechanical element such that the first mechanical element is configured as an electrode to deliver electrical stimulation to portions or systems of a body from the external control module.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector configured to connect the lead to an external control module. A helically coiled conductor includes a proximal end that is mechanically and electrically connected to the connector. The conductor includes a plurality of insulated filars. An insulative layer is removed from an uninsulated portion of each of the filars near a distal end of the conductor. The uninsulated portion of each of the filars is exposed at an outer surface of the conductor such that the exposed uninsulated portions of the filars define a plurality of electrodes at longitudinally spaced sections near the distal end of the conductor.

Abstract: A temporary neurostimulation lead may be secured relative to patient using a fixation device. The fixation device may include an attachment portion that is configured to be releasably fixated to the patient and a lead fixation portion that is configured to secure the temporary neurostimulation lead. The fixation device can be adhesively fixated to the patient via the attachment portion and the temporary neurostimulation lead can be fixated to the lead fixation portion of the fixation device.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a first conductor extending through the lead body. An electrode cuff can be secured relative to the distal portion of the lead body. The electrode cuff includes a cuff body, a first tendril extending from a first region of the cuff body, a second tendril extending from a second region of the cuff body and a first electrode disposed on the cuff body and electrically connected to the first conductor.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a first conductor extending through the lead body. An electrode cuff can be secured relative to the distal portion of the lead body. The electrode cuff includes a cuff body, a first tendril extending from a first region of the cuff body, a second tendril extending from a second region of the cuff body and a first electrode disposed on the cuff body and electrically connected to the first conductor.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a first conductor extending through the lead body. An electrode cuff can be secured relative to the distal portion of the lead body. The electrode cuff includes a cuff body, a first tendril extending from a first region of the cuff body, a second tendril extending from a second region of the cuff body and a first electrode disposed on the cuff body and electrically connected to the first conductor.

Abstract: Inductive displacement sensors and methods of using them may be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, systems for precisely measuring linear or angular motion may use inductive displacement sensors to measure changes in position. An apparatus, such as a sensor, can include a primary inductor. The apparatus can also include a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The apparatus can further include a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor can be configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler. The coordinated inductors can be configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead includes a lead body and a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the lead body. The multi-layer coil conductor includes a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer. The first and second coil layers are configured such that the multi-layer coil conductor has an axial stiffness substantially equal to an axial stiffness of the lead body adjacent to the multi-layer coil conductor.

Abstract: A temporary implantable medical device lead includes a connector configured to connect the lead to an external control module, a helically coiled conductor including a plurality of insulated filars and having a proximal end mechanically and electrically connected to the connector, and one or more electrodes defined by uninsulated portions of the helically coiled conductor. The temporary implantable medical device lead also includes one or more tine assemblies proximal to the one or more electrodes and configured to inhibit axial migration of the temporary implantable medical device lead, each tine assembly including a base and a plurality of tines extending from the base.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a first conductor extending through the lead body. An electrode cuff can be secured relative to the distal portion of the lead body. The electrode cuff includes a cuff body, a first tendril extending from a first region of the cuff body, a second tendril extending from a second region of the cuff body and a first electrode disposed on the cuff body and electrically connected to the first conductor.

Abstract: A peel-away lead implant tool is described. The peel away lead implant tool is adapted to be disposed over the terminal connector of a lead during an implantation procedure to protect the terminal connector. The peel-away lead implant tool includes a flexible polymer sheath including electrical contacts formed in a contact region of the sheath. The electrical contacts can be either metal foil contacts or conductive polymer contacts and extend from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sheath such that when the testing apparatus is coupled to the lead implant tool, the electrical contacts are pressed into electrical contact with the ring electrodes located on the terminal connector. The lead implant tool also includes various removal means facilitating the easy removal of the implant tool from the terminal connector when the implantation procedure is complete.

Abstract: A display system and method of advertising, includes, in one embodiment, loading a graphic advertisement onto a computer-readable medium of an electronic device. The graphic advertisement is or has a time passage indicator for indicating the passage of time. An idle-time sensor determines an idle-time period in which updated application information is not presented on a display of the device due to, for example, data processing activity by the processor, data transfer activity, congestion or latency in the network, or any other activity that occupies resources in the device to delay or temporally preventing updating of the display. The graphic advertisement is displayed when the device is in the idle-time period, animated to indicate the passage of time, and removed after the idle-time period has ended.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead includes a lead body and a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the lead body. The multi-layer coil conductor includes a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer. The first and second coil layers are configured such that the multi-layer coil conductor has an axial stiffness substantially equal to an axial stiffness of the lead body adjacent to the multi-layer coil conductor.

Abstract: A peel-away lead implant tool is described. The peel away lead implant tool is adapted to be disposed over the terminal connector of a lead during an implantation procedure to protect the terminal connector. The peel-away lead implant tool includes a flexible polymer sheath including electrical contacts formed in a contact region of the sheath. The electrical contacts can be either metal foil contacts or conductive polymer contacts and extend from an outer surface to an inner surface of the sheath such that when the testing apparatus is coupled to the lead implant tool, the electrical contacts are pressed into electrical contact with the ring electrodes located on the terminal connector. The lead implant tool also includes various removal means facilitating the easy removal of the implant tool from the terminal connector when the implantation procedure is complete.

Abstract: A temporary neurostimulation lead may be secured relative to patient using a fixation device. The fixation device may include an attachment portion that is configured to be releasably fixated to the patient and a lead fixation portion that is configured to secure the temporary neurostimulation lead. The fixation device can be adhesively fixated to the patient via the attachment portion and the temporary neurostimulation lead can be fixated to the lead fixation portion of the fixation device.