Abstract: A drug delivery system that includes an elongated inert support and at least two reservoirs containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient. The inert support has a number of wall segments that define at least two compartments arranged for accommodating the at least two reservoirs. The inert support is made of a material which prevents migration or diffusion of the active ingredient from one reservoir into the other or into the support. Since the drug delivery system is divided into compartments, one for each reservoir containing an active ingredient, the release rates of each active ingredient can be independently controlled or adjusted. This is due to the fact that there is no interaction between the active ingredients, and accordingly the active ingredients will not influence each other physically or chemically.

Abstract: An applicator for insertion and lubrication of a body lumen is disclosed having an elongate, hollow, cylindrical outer sheath including a receiving cup at a distal end for receiving a lubrication capsule; and a plunger slidingly received within the elongate, hollow cylindrical outer sheath, the plunger including a piercing element at a distal end adapted to extend into the receiving cup. A liquid-filled soft gel capsule is placed in the receiving cup, and the piercing element is used to puncture the capsule located in the receiving cup prior to insertion of the applicator into the body lumen, and wherein the plunger can be depressed once the applicator is inserted into the body lumen to eject the pierced capsule into the body lumen.

Abstract: A device used for applying an antiseptic preparation to a surgical site of a patient prior to surgery outside of an operating theater. A loose-fitting bag is provided which encloses the surgical site by securing the open end(s) to the patient by closing means. A high friction scrub surface is provided in the bag. A method and apparatus are also provided for releasing antiseptic into the interior of the bag. The method provides that the surgical site can be scrubbed within the bag so as to properly prepare the skin for surgery. A temperature indicator for the antiseptic preparation is also provided.

Abstract: An applicator of one aspect for applying a sheet member to skin includes a body having a bottom surface facing the skin and a first guide configured to guide the sheet member to a space between the skin and the bottom surface, in which the sheet member is applied to the skin after being folded in the space.

Abstract: An article having at least one microneedle (160, 260) is provided. The microneedle includes a base (162), an elongated body (161) having a central axis (130) and a body diameter (168), a tip portion (166), and a hollow channel (170). The a tip portion includes a tip (164), a first bevel face (140) oriented diagonally with respect to the central axis and extending through at least 75% of the body diameter, a second bevel face (146) oriented substantially perpendicular to the central axis and intersecting the first bevel face, and a bevel opening defined by a first edge (174) of the first bevel face and a second edge (176) of the second bevel face. The hollow channel extends axially into the body from the bevel opening (172).

Abstract: A method of forming a microneedle array can include forming a microneedle array having one or more chemotherapeutic agents. The microneedle array can include a base portion and plurality of microneedles extending from the base portion, and the one or more chemotherapeutic agents can be present in a higher concentration in the plurality of microneedles than in the base portion.

Abstract: A microneedle includes a substrate, and projections which extend from a surface of the substrate. Each of the projections includes layers separated from each other in a direction in which the projection extends. The layers include a first layer which contains a polymer which is soluble in water and poorly soluble in oil and a second layer which contains a polymer that is soluble in oil. The first layer and the second layer are adjacent to each other and are formed in the order of the first layer and the second layer from the projection to the substrate.

Abstract: A support device for an IV line includes an IV line support mechanism, a suspension line structured for suspending the support mechanism on a portion of a patient's body, and a suspension line length adjustment mechanism for gripping and retaining portions of the suspension line so as to form an adjustable loop.

Abstract: Example embodiments are related to intraosseous infusion port (IOP) devices to provide access to bone marrow cavities. The IOP device according to example embodiments may comprise a proximal portion with a hollow chamber extending through the proximal portion, the hollow chamber having a proximal inlet for receiving an insertion device. The IOP device may also include an anchor portion positioned distally to the proximal portion, the anchor portion may be configured for anchoring the infusion port device in a bone, and an open-ended channel extending through the anchor portion, the channel being in fluid communication with the hollow chamber, such that, when the infusion port is implanted into a bone, the channel and the hollow chamber create a substantially straight pathway terminating at an opening at its distal end for insertion of the insertion device towards the bone marrow.

Abstract: A convection enhanced delivery device comprises a support member and an elongated microcatheter carried by the support member. The microcatheter projects lengthwise away from the support member. The microcatheter includes a catheter lumen extending in a first direction. A fluid conduit carried by the support member. The fluid conduit includes a conduit lumen that extends in a second direction different than the first direction. The conduit lumen is in fluid communication with the catheter lumen. An inlet port and a connecting port are also carried by the support member. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The connecting port is separate from the inlet port and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The connecting port is configured to engage an end portion of an external fluid conduit such that the external fluid conduit projects away from the connecting port and from the support member.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for a medical device includes a first connection member having a first end and a second end with the first connection member defining at least one channel adjacent the first end. The at least one channel having a first portion extending in an axial direction and a shoulder adjacent to the first end of the first connection member that defines a channel entry. The at least one channel having a second portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the axial direction. The connection apparatus further including a second connection member having a first end and a second end and at least one protrusion adjacent the first end. The shoulder is configured to guide the at least one protrusion of the second connection member into the channel entry regardless of the orientation of the at least one protrusion relative to the channel entry.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for a medical injection system includes a pinching member and at least one spring-loaded anvil. A tubing line of the injection system may be positioned between the pinching member and the anvil, such that when the pinching member is moved into a pinching position adjacent to the anvil, for example, by rotation of a shaft to which the member is coupled, the pinching member compresses the tubing line against the spring-loaded anvil. The pinching member is preferably rotatable about an auxiliary axis, which is eccentric, or offset from a central axis of the shaft. A spring member of the spring-loaded anvil is preferably pre-loaded. In certain applications, the pinching member, when moved into the pinching position, applies a pinching force of greater than approximately 45 pounds, for example, to prevent flow through the tubing line at an injection pressure of up to approximately 1200 psi.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a first surface to be placed adjacent a person's skin and a second surface including a plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel. The plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel are disposed on sections of the electrode assembly that are at least partially physically separated and may move at least partially independently of one another to conform to contours of a body of a patient. The electrode assembly is configured to dispense an amount of the electrically conductive gel onto the first surface in response to an activation signal and to provide for a defibrillating shock to be applied to the patient through the amount of the electrically conductive gel.

Abstract: A defibrillator can include a first electrode and a second electrode where at least one of the electrodes includes more than one independently positionable pad. Such independently positionable pads, in various instances, may allow for alternative positioning of the components of an electrode when defibrillation is carried out during electrophysiological procedures in which placement of conventional electrodes is inadvisable, difficult, or impractical.

Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to implantable electrode arrays having virtual electrodes. The virtual electrodes may improve the resolution of the implantable electrode array without the burden of corresponding complexity of electronic circuitry and wiring. In a particular embodiment, a virtual electrode may include one or more passive elements to help steer current to a specific location between the active electrodes. For example, a passive element may be a metalized layer on a substrate that is adjacent to, but not directly connected to an active electrode. In certain embodiments, an active electrode may be directly coupled to a power source via a conductive connection. Beneficially, the passive elements may help to increase the overall resolution of the implantable array by providing additional stimulation points without requiring additional wiring or driver circuitry for the passive elements.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of electrical pulses (I, W) to reduce, improve, heal or prevent recurrence of a chronic ulcer, comprising administering to a need (1, 2, 3) an effective amount of an electric stimulation in multiple treatment sessions, wherein the electric stimulation stimulates the lymphatic system.

Abstract: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by a least 5%.

Abstract: A device for electrically stimulating one or more anatomical target sites in a patient and for use in the treatment of a plurality of biological conditions of the patient. The device has a pulse generator providing electrical stimulation to the anatomical target sites; a power source for powering the pulse generator; stimulator electrodes connected to the pulse generator for stimulating the anatomical target sites; one or more optional sensing electrodes for monitoring physiological parameters with reference to the anatomical target sites; and a microprocessor programmed to vary a plurality of therapy protocol parameters governing the electrical stimulation to thereby modify operational life parameters of the power source.

Abstract: In one example, a method including generating electrical stimulation therapy with a frequency of approximately 500 hertz or greater, and controlling delivery of the electrical stimulation therapy to a patient via a medical device between at least one of contractions of a bladder or contractions of a bowel of a patient, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy comprises electrical stimulation therapy configured to inhibit contraction of the bladder when the electrical stimulation is delivered between the contractions of the bladder, wherein the electrical stimulation therapy comprises electrical stimulation therapy configured to inhibit contraction of the bowel when the electrical stimulation is delivered between the contractions of the bowel, and wherein at least one of the generating and controlling is performed via one or more processors.

Abstract: A vaginal rehabilitative device comprising: a vaginal electrical stimulation applicator; and a control module connectable by a wire to said applicator and comprising a user interface for controlling electrical stimuli by said applicator and a display module configured to display data received from said applicator.

Abstract: A method for treating a disorder of a patient. The method comprises transcutaneously delivering electrical energy to a targeted tissue site at a frequency of at least 50 KHz, thereby treating the disorder.

Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulator shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in contact with the electrodes. The conducting medium is also in contact with an interface element that may conform to the contour of a target body surface of the patient when the interface element is applied to that surface. When the interface element is made of insulating (dielectric) material, and disclosed stimulation waveforms are used, the power source need not supply high voltage, in order to capacitively stimulate the target nerve. The stimulator produces a peak pulse that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing a cranial electrotherapy stimulation program for use in a stimulation system is provided, the method comprising: generating a chaotic cranial electrotherapy stimulation program.

Abstract: A system for stimulation of a patient's ipsilateral cochlea, having at least two spaced apart patient-worn microphones for providing first and second audio signals from ambient sound; a sound processor for generating an ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in a plurality of output channels from at least one of the input audio signals; and a stimulation assembly for being implanted within the ipsilateral cochlea and having a plurality of stimulation channels for ipsilateral stimulation of the patient's hearing according to the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal. The sound processor comprising a DOA unit for determining periodically a main direction of incidence of ambient sound from a sound source by analyzing the first and second audio signals, and a directional information coding unit for coding information concerning the determined main direction of incidence in the ipsilateral auditory nerve stimulation signal in manner to enable the patient to localize the sound source.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a receiver coil assembly for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The receiver coil assembly includes at least two spatially separated coil units comprised by a housing of an internal component. The spatial separation is along a thickness of the housing.

Abstract: Methods are provided to treat a neurological disorder in a patient by adjusting connectivity between network nodes in a brain of patient using electrical stimulation. Connectivity between network nodes may be increased by synchronous stimulation at multiple network nodes depending upon the neurological disorder. Also, connectivity may be decreased by asynchronous or randomized stimulation at multiple network nodes depending upon the neurological disorder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active implantable medical device. The device includes a VNS pulse generator, an activity sensor for detecting a patient's current activity level, and a processor. The processor is configured to collect the electrical activity of the heart, such as a current intrinsic heart rate of the patient. The processor further calculates values of a reference heart rate based on the patient's current activity level. A first histogram is constructed from the reference heart rate values, and a second histogram is constructed from the intrinsic heart rate values. An index representative of the patient's condition is derived by comparing the first and second histograms.

Abstract: A wearable or portable device for use in an electrical stimulation system can include a sensor to measure a biosignal; a processor to receive the biosignal from the sensor; and a communications arrangement coupled to the processor to wirelessly communicate with at least one of an external programming unit or a control module of the electrical stimulation system. The wearable device is configured and arranged to be worn by a user so that the wearable device can measure the biosignal of the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and external programmers provide therapy to a patient having a dysfunction. In one aspect, electrical energy is conveyed between electrodes to create a stimulation region in tissue adjacent the electrodes. Physiological information from the patient is acquired and analyzed, and a locus of the stimulation region is electronically displaced relative to the tissue based on the analysis of the acquired physiological information. In another aspect, electrical energy is delivered to tissue of the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. A cognitive brain signals is sensed and analyzed, and the stimulation parameter(s) are modified based on the analysis of the cognitive brain signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.

Abstract: An example of a method embodiment may place a set of stimulation electrodes on tissue containing the baroreceptor region, and may test bipolar configurations of the electrodes. Each of the bipolar configurations of the electrodes includes at least one of the electrodes configured to function as an anode and at least one other of the electrodes configured to function as a cathode. Testing the bipolar configurations may include stimulating the tissue using each of the bipolar configurations. For each of the tested bipolar configurations at least one physiological parameter may be monitored for a baroreflex response to stimulation of the tissue, and the baroreflex response may be recorded for each of the tested bipolar configurations.

Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between at least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.

Abstract: An electric stimulator for heart, brain, organs and general cells with a random shape and position of electrodes which enhances its performance for breaking the symmetry. Two types of electrodes are introduced: type-1, or active electrodes are similar to prior art, while type-2, or passive electrodes have not been used in this context. Passive electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by type-1 electrodes.

Abstract: An interface for coupling with a percutaneously implantable lead is described. The interface includes a rotation based system to engage the terminal connector of the lead. The interface includes a brake which retains the lead in the lead port through friction, but allows the lead to exit the lead port if sufficient force is applied. The interface can be coupled with the lead without removing a stylet or stiffening wire from the lead.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator includes a core assembly, a seal plug, and an outer layer overmolded over the core assembly adjacent the seal plug. The core assembly defines a core hole extending through the core assembly from a core interior to a core outer surface. The core hole has a hole outer portion and a hole inner portion. A first diameter of the hole outer portion is less than a second diameter of the hole inner portion. The seal plug is positioned in the core hole and has a plug outer portion aligned with the hole outer portion and a plug inner portion aligned with the hole inner portion. A third diameter of the plug outer portion is less than a fourth diameter of the plug inner portion. The outer layer leaves a top of the seal plug exposed.

Abstract: An external controller/charger system for an implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the external controller/charger system provides automatic switching between telemetry and charging without any manual intervention by the patient. The external controller/charger system includes an external controller which houses a telemetry coil and an external charging coil coupled to the external controller. Normally, a charging session is carried out using the external charging coil, and a telemetry session is carried out using the telemetry coil. However, when a patient requests to carry out telemetry during a charging session, the external charging coil is used instead of the internal telemetry coil.

Abstract: A wearable device for facilitating neurophysiological treatment of a patient harboring an implanted neural stimulator is provided. The wearable device includes a transmitting antenna configured to accept one or more input signals and to transmit one or more electromagnetic signals to a neural stimulator that is implanted in a patient's body. The wearable device further includes a control circuitry configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna. The wearable device further includes a battery that provides electrical power to at least the control circuitry. The wearable device is configured to be worn outside the patient's body.

Abstract: An implementation provides a system that includes: a control module including a first antenna, the control module configured to generate a first radio frequency (RF) signal and transmit the first RF signal using the first antenna; an implantable lead module including a second antenna and at least one electrode configured to stimulate excitable tissue of a subject; and a relay module configured to receive the first RF signal; generate a second RF signal based on the first RF signal, the second RF signal encoding a stimulus waveform to be applied by the at least one electrodes of the implantable lead module to stimulate the excitable tissue of the subject; and transmit the second RF signal to the implantable lead module.

Abstract: A leadless intra-cardiac medical device is configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient. The device includes an intra-cardiac extension and a housing. The intra-cardiac extension includes a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart. The housing is in electrical communication within the loop body, and includes a transceiver, control logic and an energy source. The housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an estimated volume of activation (VOA) corresponding to settings applied to a stimulation leadwire includes a processor performing the following: determining, for each of a plurality of neural elements, one or more respective parameters characterizing an electrical distribution along the neural element, looking up the one or more parameters for each of the neural elements in a look-up table (LUT), obtaining threshold values for each of the neural elements recorded in the LUT in association with the looked-up parameters, comparing, for each of the neural elements, a value of the leadwire settings to each of the respective threshold value, estimating based on the comparisons which of the neural elements would be activated by the settings, and generating a structure corresponding to a region including the neural elements estimated to be activated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that generate personalized therapy protocols for home use of therapeutic medical devices. The devices include an intuitive user interface to guide user to select proper settings, a personalized therapy protocol-generating approach according to user selection and personal profile, and follow-up therapy protocol adjustments to achieve optimized results based on feedbacks collected from past treatments.

Abstract: A system for storing stimulation programs or sets of stimulation parameters includes at least one memory; at least one of i) multiple stimulation programs or ii) a multiple sets of stimulation parameters stored on the at least one memory from multiple different devices remote from the system and used to stimulate different patients; at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory to retrieve the stored stimulation programs or sets of stimulation parameters from the at least one memory when requested and to store additional stimulation programs or sets of stimulation parameters on the at least one memory; and a communications arrangement coupled to the at least one processor to deliver the stored stimulation programs or sets of stimulation parameters to external device and to receive additional stimulation programs and sets of stimulation parameters from external devices.

Abstract: The device includes a cardiac therapy circuit with a first terminal, and a peripheral therapy circuit with a second terminal. These terminals can either receive a cardiac detection/stimulation lead and a peripheral detection/stimulation lead of an anatomical structure. The device is configured to recognize the leads and automatically configure the connection terminals. This includes discrimination methods for identifying the terminal on which a cardiac signal is detected, and switching methods for coupling the cardiac therapy circuit to the terminal and the peripheral therapy circuit to the other terminal.

Abstract: The device includes a cardiac therapy circuit with a first terminal, and a peripheral therapy circuit with a second terminal. These terminals can either receive a cardiac detection/stimulation lead or a peripheral detection/stimulation lead of an organ. The device is configured to recognize the leads and automatically configure the connection terminals according to the type of lead received by the terminal. This includes discrimination methods for identifying the terminal on which a cardiac signal is detected, and selectively activating the cardiac therapy circuit and the peripheral therapy circuit based on the detection of the cardiac signal on a lead.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system includes a speaker for issuing audio prompts to the patient and bystanders. The speaker may be located in a head component such as a headset or glasses or an earpiece or a pendant, or be pressed against the body of the patient. The volume of the sound may be adjusted or muted.

Abstract: A defibrillator (20) employs a ECG monitor (23), a shock source (24) and a controller (25). In operation, the controller synchronizes a ECG analysis window (EAW) to a shock activation of the defibrillator, and analyzes a ECG waveform (30) of a heart (11) of a patient (10) as monitored by the ECG monitor within the ECG analysis window for detecting the patient experiencing an organized heartbeat condition or an unorganized heartbeat condition. The controller further controls a delivery by the shock source of a synchronized defibrillation shock to the heart of the patient in response to a detection within the ECG analysis window by the controller of the patient experiencing the organized heartbeat condition, or controls a delivery by the shock source of an unsynchronized defibrillation shock to the heart of the patient in response to a detection by the controller within the ECG analysis window of the patient experiencing one of the unorganized heartbeat condition or an undetected organized heartbeat condition.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to scientifically examine a change of a living body by exposing the living body in an electric field generated by a high voltage (such an action will be hereinafter also referred to “electric field exposure”), elucidate a detailed mechanism of action of a therapeutic effect by a potential therapeutic device, and find out its new use applications.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a display device may include: a display unit including a plurality of pixels; and a controller arranged to receive an image signal comprising a plurality of image frames and then, if certain of the image frames are determined to represent a still image, to insert a sub-image frame between immediately successive image frames of the certain of the image frames, the sub-image frame allowing at least one of the plurality of pixels to emit light of a specified wavelength.

Abstract: A method of treating diabetes including activating a laser system, wherein the laser system emits a composite laser beam with more than one wavelength, and directing the composite laser beam over at least one of a pancreas, a thyroid, a foot, and a thoracic spine to treat diabetes.

Abstract: An illumination device (1) includes a light unit (4) structured to provide an illumination output; and a controller (2) structured to control said light unit to provide the illumination output at a first intensity and to wait a first period of time, increase intensity of the illumination output to at least a factor times the first intensity, wait a second period of time, and decrease intensity of the illumination, wherein the factor is at least 1.25.