Abstract: A method of preparing a textile-reinforced medical dilation balloon is provided, including a woven tubular textile sleeve with substantially longitudinal thermoplastic warp threads and at least one weft thread woven substantially perpendicular relative to the warp threads, where the sleeve defines a sleeve lumen. A medical dilation balloon is disposed within the sleeve lumen, and a coating substantially covers the inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve, attaching it to the balloon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a music therapy or a resonant book to remove or excrete asbestos from the human body is described. The music therapy comprises a set of one or more vibrational energy songs. The music therapy may further comprise (a) storing said vibrational energy songs on a music player, cell phone or computer, and (b) listening to said vibrational energy song on said music player, cell phone or computer. The person may clap hands or press corresponding acupuncture points of an internal organ on one hand or both hands while listening to the song. Each song does not contain one or more notes in the set of seven standard notes: {Do (1), Re (2), Mi (3), Fa (4), Sol (5), La (6), Si (7)}. Each note may be sung or played at a higher pitch or a lower pitch. The music therapy based method or apparatus may further comprise spraying specially processed herbal water on a selected acupuncture point before or after the music therapy, such as Conception Vessel C.V.1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to linear surgical staplers for joining tissue layers comprising a disposable cartridge installed in a first jaw connected to an opposing second jaw, said cartridge containing a plurality of deployable staples in arrays separated by a tissue resection slot and a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, said microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; said microneedles are releasably disposed on or within a tissue-facing surface of the cartridge, wherein the proximal end of the microneedles is supported on the cartridge. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler assembly devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to circular surgical staplers for anastomotic joining of tissue comprising a stapling head connected to an opposing anvil, said stapling head containing a plurality of deployable staples in concentric arrays; a plurality of resorbable medicant-releasing microneedles, the microneedles comprising elongated rods having a sharp tissue-penetrating distal end and a proximal end; with the microneedles releasably disposed on or within the stapling head or the anvil. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of such stapler devices.

Abstract: A microneedle sheet in an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of microneedles formed on a sheet generally along a principal surface of the sheet. The microneedles are configured to rise from the principal surface when the sheet is bent, and the raised microneedles pierce skin. At least some of the microneedles each have a region for exposing a tear formed in the skin in a needle inserted state.

Abstract: A catheter system including an elongate tubular member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a lumen extending through at least a portion of a length of the elongate tubular member. The distal end portion of the elongate member is dimensioned and adapted to advance to or in proximity to a treatment site of a subject. A microbubble device is in fluid communication with the lumen. The microbubble device includes at least one input port for receiving a flow of material into the device and an output port configured to output microbubbles from the microbubble device. A second tubular member is in fluid communication with one of the at least one input ports. A pressure fitting arrangement is adapted to maintain a seal between the second tubular member and the input port.

Abstract: A valved male luer connector includes an elastic hollow element enclosing a tubular member having an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A collar is axially displaceable to cause a stretching deformation of the elastic hollow element and open a flow passage between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the tubular member. The inlet portion is rotatable with respect to the casing in both directions of rotation.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.

Abstract: A peelable lid system includes a peelable lid, a seal configured to seal the peelable lid to a container, a handle coupled to the peelable lid, and a lifting mechanism coupled to handle. The lifting mechanism can be coupled to the peelable lid at a plurality of attachment points, including at least one attachment point coupled to the peelable lid away from the handle. The lifting mechanism can be configured to lift at least one portion of the peelable lid near each of the plurality of attachment points.

Abstract: Electrical non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) delivers weak electrical currents to the brain via electrodes that are affixed to the scalp. NIBS can excite or inhibit the brain in areas that are impacted by that electrical current during and for a short time following stimulation. Electrical NIBS can be used to change brain structure in terms of increasing white matter integrity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging. Together the electrical NIBS can induce changes in brain structure and function. The present methods and devices are adaptable to and configurable for facilitating the enhancement of brain performance, and the treatment of neurological diseases and tissues. The present methods and devices are advantageously designed to utilize modern electrodes deployed with, inter alia, various spatial arrangements, polarities, and current strengths to target brain areas or networks to thereby enhance performance or deliver therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: A tether assembly for a delivery tool that deploys an implantable medical device includes an elongate shaft and an attachment member coupled to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the attachment member includes an external thread and an end wall, the end wall extending orthogonally with respect to a direction of travel within a valley of the external thread to provide a hard stop for a threaded attachment bore of the medical device, when the bore is mated with the external thread. The tether assembly may extend within a lumen defined by an elongate tube of an inner assembly of the delivery tool, such that the attachment member thereof is located in proximity to a distal member of the inner assembly, the distal member being coupled to a distal end of the tube and forming a distal opening of the lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for neurostimulation at the tract of Lissauer. A neurostimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator, and a lead assembly electrically coupled to the implantable pulse generator, the lead assembly including a plurality of sensing electrodes configured to sense pain signals at a tract of Lissauer of a subject, and a plurality of stimulating electrodes configured to apply stimulation to a dorsal column of the subject based on the sensed pain signals.

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: Methods and systems are provided to deliver a neural stimulation therapy to treat apnea episodes. The methods and systems detect a respiratory pattern of a patient and identify a type associated with the respiratory pattern. A sleep stage is detected that the patient is experiencing and the method and system identify when the sleep stage warrants therapy. When the respiratory pattern corresponds to an apnea episode (AE) and the sleep stage warrants therapy, the methods and systems deliver an apnea episode terminating neuro-stimulation (AET-NS) therapy configured to terminate the AE. A type of AE therapy that is delivered may be based on the sleep stage that was detected. The methods and systems may determine whether the AET-NS therapy successfully terminated the AE, and, if not, adjust the AET-NS therapy and deliver a new AET-NS therapy.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy to a patient are provided. In certain variations, a method may include positioning a stimulator electrode over a glabrous skin surface overlying a target nerve of a subject. Electrical stimulation may be delivered through or across the glabrous skin surface to the target nerve to stimulate the target nerve, while remaining safe and tolerable to the patient. Electrical stimulation may be delivered at frequencies that may be painful or intolerable when applied over non-glabrous surfaces of the body. Various applicators or devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for stimulating targeted regions of a brain to alleviate symptoms, treat conditions and/or modify brain activities associated with central sensitivity in a subject. The methods may include selecting a subject suffering from central sensitivity, identifying regions of the brain involved in central sensitivity, and stimulating one or more of these regions of the brain.

Abstract: An external electronic ear device includes a housing, an external magnet, a microphone, a processing circuit and a wireless signal transmitter circuit. The external magnet is disposed in the housing and attracts a receiver magnet disposed under a scalp of a user. The microphone is disposed in the housing and receives an external sound and generates a sound signal corresponding to the external sound. The processing circuit is disposed in the housing and converts the sound signal into an electrode driving signal. The wireless signal transmitter circuit is disposed in the housing and transmits the electrode driving signal to a cochlear implant device in the cochlear system. The cochlear implant device converts the electrode driving signal into a plurality of electrode currents, and a plurality of electrical pulses are generated in a cochlear nerve of the user through a plurality of electrodes according to the electrode currents.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining the timing of stimulation applied using a medical device. In embodiments, the medical device filters a received signal to obtain a plurality of band-pass filtered signals, each corresponding to one or more stimulation channels. The medical device then determines the envelopes of these band-pass filtered signals. Next, the medical device determines the stimulation timing (i.e., the pulse times) for the corresponding stimulation channel based on the timing of a particular phase (e.g., a peak, a minimum, etc.) of the envelope. A pulse amplitude for the stimulation channel may then be determined, and stimulation applied using the determined amplitude and pulse time.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation device provides stimulation of a person's claustrum and piriform cortex to treat seizures for persons having epilepsy, and to improve consciousness in individuals with disorders of consciousness such as coma. The stimulation device includes a stimulator that generates a stimulation signal, and one or more electrodes located near the target brain regions (Claustrum/piriform cortex). The electrode receives the stimulation signal from said stimulator and imparts the stimulation signal to the target brain regions.

Abstract: An aspect of the present subject matter relates to a system for providing baroreflex stimulation. An embodiment of the system comprises an adverse event detector to sense an adverse event and provide a signal indicative of the adverse event, and a baroreflex stimulator. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to provide a baroreflex stimulation signal adapted to provide a baroreflex therapy, and a modulator to receive the signal indicative of the adverse event and modulate the baroreflex stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the adverse event to change the baroreflex therapy from a first baroreflex therapy to a second baroreflex therapy. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Apparatus including an implant is provided, the implant including: a rod-shaped housing, having a distal half and a proximal half, and configured to be injected distally into tissue of a subject; a cathode on the distal half of the housing; an anchor configured to protrude from the proximal half of the housing, no anchor being configured to protrude from the distal half of the housing; an anode; and circuitry disposed within the housing, configured to drive a current between the cathode and the anode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for current steering a neurostimulation signal is provided. The system and method provide a lead coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG). The lead may include a plurality of electrodes. The lead may be configured to be implanted at a target position proximate to tissue of interest. The system and method program the IPG to deliver at least a first pulse train to a first electrode and a second pulse train to a second electrode. The first and second pulse trains are interleaved with one another such that the first and second pulse trains form an activation current density distribution steered to overlay the tissue of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persona who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating an arrhythmia in a patient using an electrotherapy device such as a subcutaneous pacing device. The device applies a series of electrotherapy pulses in response to the presence of the arrhythmia. Various provisions are disclosed for mitigating pain or discomfort as a result of the electrotherapy pulses.

Abstract: A non-invasive bodily-attached ambulatory medical monitoring and treatment device with pacing is provided. The device includes at least one therapy electrode; a memory storing information indicative of a patient's cardiac activity; circuitry for implementing a plurality of pacing routines, each pacing routine of the plurality of pacing routines corresponding to at least one cardiac condition of a plurality of cardiac conditions; and at least one processor coupled to the circuitry and configured to identify, within the information, at least one cardiac condition of the plurality of cardiac conditions; and respond to the identified cardiac condition in part by causing execution of at least one pacing routine corresponding to the identified cardiac condition.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an implantable therapy circuit that provides bi-ventricular pacing to a subject, a heart sound signal sensing circuit that produces a sensed heart sound signal that is representative of at least one heart sound associated with mechanical cardiac activity, a memory circuit to store one or more heart sound templates of cardiac capture, and a comparison circuit that compares a segment of the sensed heart sound signal to the one or more heart sound templates of cardiac capture to identify ventricles in which cardiac capture was induced by the bi-ventricular pacing. In some situations, an indication of the ventricles in which cardiac capture was induced may be generated according to the comparison.

Abstract: A pass-through assembly including a first wall 110d having oppositely-directed inner and outer sides, 112, 114, the first wall 110d defining a first opening 116 extending from the inner side 112 to the outer side 114; an elongated structure 118 extending into the opening 116 from the outer side 114 of the first wall 110d; a first material 130 contacting the first wall 110d and the elongated structure 118 so as to at least partially seal the opening 116, and a second material 140 different from the first material 130, the second material 140 overlying the first material 130 on the outer side 114 of the wall 110d, the second material 140 adhering to the elongated structure 118 and the first wall 110d, the second material 140 having at least one physical property different than a corresponding physical property of the first material 130.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a medical implant that includes a receiving coil. A transmitting device includes a first transmitting coil, and a second transmitting coil disposed with respect to the first transmitting coil such that a shortest distance from an edge of the second transmitting coil to an edge of the first transmitting coil is within 20% of a length of the receiving coil. A control unit is configured to transmit power to the medical implant by driving a current source to drive a current in a clockwise direction through one of the transmitting coils, and drive a current in a counterclockwise direction through the other one of the transmitting coils. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, comprising (1) a first controller comprising at least one first-controller antenna configured to transmit a first wireless power signal having a first signal power; and a first-controller control unit configured to use battery power to drive the first-controller antenna; (2) a second controller, comprising at least one second-controller antenna, configured to transmit a second wireless power signal having a second signal power; and a second-controller control unit, configured to use mains electricity power to drive the second-controller antenna; and (3) an implant, comprising one or more electrodes; at least one implant antenna configured to receive 1-10 percent of the first signal power, and to receive 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power; and circuitry configured to drive the one or more electrodes responsively to the received 1-10 percent of the first signal power, or the received 0.01-1 percent of the second signal power.

Abstract: An operating room cable assembly for electrically coupling at least one implantable electrical stimulation lead to a trial stimulator includes an elongated body; a trial stimulator connector disposed at one end of the elongated body; and a lead connector disposed at another end of the elongated body. The lead connector can include one or more buttons that can be pushed to load a lead into the lead connector and released to retain the lead. Alternatively, the lead connector can include a lever that can be operated to load the lead. A further alternative is a slider with a lead engagement element that can be slid between positions allowing loading of a lead and engagement of the lead. Other alternatives include a lead connector with doors that can swing open to allow loading of a lead or a collet/sleeve that can be tightened on the lead.

Abstract: An external medical device is capable of bidirectional wireless communication with multiple implantable medical devices (IMDs). The external medical device is configured to determine an active membership of an IMD system present in a patient, establish programmable parameters for the IMD system based on the active membership, and transmit values for the established programmable parameters to the active membership.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable biphasic or multiphasic pulse generation system and method are provided. The dynamically adjustable biphasic or multiphasic pulse generator system may be used as a pulse generation system for a defibrillator or other type of electrical stimulation medical device.

Abstract: A defibrillator device is provided. The defibrillator device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a readout module, a USB interface, a voltage converter and a stimulation module. When the first and second electrodes contact the chest of a patient, the readout module obtains a physiologic rhythm signal of the patient and provides a heart rhythm signal according to the first physiologic rhythm signal. According to a first voltage from a portable electronic device, the voltage converter generates a second voltage when the first USB interface is coupled to the portable electronic device, wherein the second voltage is larger than the first voltage. When the physiologic rhythm signal indicates that cardiac arrhythmia is present in the patient, the stimulation module provides an electric shock energy to the chest of the patient via the first and second electrodes according to the second voltage.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for frontal lobe regions, occipital lobe regions, parietal lobe regions, right temporal regions and left temporal regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a substantially circular direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in substantially the same circular direction.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for medial brain regions or lateral brain regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a first direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The multiple stimulating elements are distributed around a central axis of the coil.

Abstract: An ophthalmic phototherapy device and associated phototherapy treatment method for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy device includes a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength to the eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy method includes directing light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time to a portion of damaged or diseased eye tissue, whereby the light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates cellular activity in the eye tissue to promote healing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the circadian input of a light source includes selecting a circadian input to be measured based on an action spectrum corresponding to a wavelength sensitivity of photoreceptors for a circadian regulation system, where the circadian input is configured to stimulate a retinaldehyde photopigment, and for measuring spectral intensity across the action spectrum to determine the circadian input of the light source.

Abstract: A multileaf collimator includes leaves extending in a first direction; a frame supporting the leaves so that the leaves are advanceable and retractable in a state where the leaves are placed side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; shafts extending in the second direction and corresponding to the leaves; driving units respectively connected to base ends of the shafts for rotating the shafts around axial lines; and driving units provided at tips of the shafts and contacting portions of the leaves for advancing and retracting the leaves in the first direction by the rotation of the shafts around the axial lines. At least some of the shafts have the same shaft length. The driving units are arranged so that the positions thereof in the second direction are shifted from each other according to the positions of the tips of the shafts having the same length.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a removable transducer module. The transducer module includes a waveguide, a locking mechanism, and an electronics assembly including at least one button. The handle assembly includes a trigger assembly configured to actuate the button(s) of the electronics assembly when the transducer module is coupled with the handle assembly. The shaft assembly engages the waveguide of the transducer module and is disposed at the distal end of the handle assembly. The distal end of the shaft assembly includes a harmonic blade. When assembled with the handle assembly, the transducer module is capable of providing ultrasonic energy to the harmonic blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective garment that includes a lower portion having a pair of extremities each having a knee joint area connected to an upper leg portion by an upper radial seam and connected to a lower leg portion by a lower radial seam. The knee joint area of each extremity also has an inseam insert connected between the upper and lower radial seams.

Abstract: An emergency descent system for use by an individual to effect escape from a building or other elevated structure. The system comprises: an upper vest component for securing about the individual's chest, said vest component including an integral rack; a lower component for securing about both upper legs of the individual; and an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture on the structure from which the individual can effect gradual descent along said rope as it frictionally engages with the integral rack of the upper vest component. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fall arrest harness having a primary arrest attachment attached to a dorsal portion of a harness by a dorsal release strap, a releasable friction device positioned at a hip location of the harness and a repositioning tether releasably connected to the primary fall arrest attachment. The harness provides manual and controllable transfer of a suspension point from a dorsal location by letting out the dorsal release strap through the releasable friction device until tension from a user's weight is transferred from the dorsal release strap to the repositioning tether.

Abstract: A method of fire protection for an enclosure is disclosed that includes the steps of introducing an initial amount of a gaseous agent into an enclosure to achieve a predetermined concentration level for a given hold time of the enclosure, and periodically introducing a supplemental amount of the gaseous agent into the enclosure to restore the concentration of gaseous agent in the enclosure to the predetermined level, thereby extending fire protection for the enclosure beyond the enclosure's hold time.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for delivering a fire suppressant fluid into a vehicle (50), the apparatus (10) including a first funnel (12) in fluid communication with a delivery pipe (14), the funnel (12) being arranged to receive the fire suppressant fluid from a first location external to the vehicle (50) and the delivery pipe (14) extending from the first funnel (12) into the vehicle (50) so as to deliver the fire suppressant fluid within the vehicle (50).

Abstract: A ceiling-only dry sprinkler system configured to address a storage occupancy fire event with a sprinkler operational area sufficient in size to surround and drown the fire. The system and method preferably provide for the surround and effect by activating one or more initial sprinklers, delaying fluid flow to the initial activated sprinklers for a defined delay period to permit the thermal activation of a subsequent one or more sprinklers so as to form the preferred sprinkler operational area. The sprinklers of the operational area are preferably configured so as to provide sufficient fluid volume and cooling to address the fire-event with a surround and drown configuration. The defined delay period is of a defined period having a maximum and a minimum. The preferred sprinkler system is adapted for fire protection of storage commodities and provides a ceiling only system that eliminates or otherwise minimizes the economic disadvantages and design penalties of current dry sprinkler system design.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of dry fire sprinkler systems, and more particularly, to a filtration device within the system to prevent vent corrosion. A chemical inhibitor or dessicant inhibitor is vaporized and circulated through a dry fire sprinkler system. The systems and methods of the present invention reduce or eliminate corrosion that typically affects conventional dry fire sprinkler systems, such as those caused by oxygen and microbiological systems, which can compromise the function of the fire protection system.

Abstract: A fire suppression composition includes starch, a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent, and agglomerating material.

Abstract: The VOC disposal system disclosed herein includes a plasma chamber and a vent chamber. The plasma chamber includes one or more bands of plasma igniters that produce a field of free radicals across a volume of the plasma chamber. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are introduced to the plasma chamber and react with the free radicals, breaking down the VOCs into component parts as the materials travel from the plasma chamber to the vent chamber.

Abstract: A rocking chair provides abdominal exercise by user actuation of pivotal armrest handles that are configured to provide a crunch type exercise motion. The arrangement of internal pivot frames is such that armrest handle actuation shifts the user's center of mass both vertically and longitudinally, which in turn initiates a natural rocking motion by gravity. The inertial dynamics of the resulting motion are inherently kinesthetically pleasurable. The resistance is provided by the user's own body weight with variation through differential leverage. Alternatively, the configuration of the armrest handles is such that a user may benefit from an isometric exercise by simply holding them stationary in a conventional armrest position.

Abstract: An improved exercise table or reformer having increased adjustability and storage features. The starting point of the carriage or platform is adjustable to accommodate different sized users. An anchor bar mechanism is adjusted to correspond to carriage starting point, and limits rotation of the anchor bar with respect to the reformer and may be non-removable from the reformer frame. A foot bar assembly may be adjusted and placed in a storage position, allowing the foot bar to serve as a lift handle. The reformer's adjustability provides greater ease of storage.