Abstract: An introducer sheath and method are disclosed capable of reducing a physical burden on a patient by shortening a time necessary for hemostasis at an introduction part after removing the introducer sheath percutaneously introduced into a body lumen. The method of indwelling an introducer sheath in a body lumen includes: puncturing a body lumen in which an introducer sheath needs to be indwelled; and introducing an introducer sheath into a puncture site of the body lumen, the introducer sheath including a catheter main body having a portion provided with a thrombus inducing material and a hub, which is connected to a proximal side of the catheter main body, and wherein the catheter main body is indwelled in the body lumen while a part of the portion provided with the thrombus inducing material is inserted into the body lumen through the puncture site.

Abstract: A catheter-based/intravascular ablation (denervation) system includes a multiplicity of needles which expand open around a central axis to engage the wall of a blood vessel, or the wall of the left atrium, allowing the injection of a cytotoxic or/or neurotoxic solution for ablating conducting tissue, or nerve fibers around the ostium of the pulmonary vein, or circumferentially in or just beyond the outer layer of the renal artery. The expandable needle delivery system is formed with self-expanding materials and include structures, near the end portion of the needles, or using separate guide tubes. The system also includes means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into the tissue of the wall of the targeted blood vessel. The preferred embodiment of the catheter delivered through the vascular system of a patient includes a multiplicity of expandable guide tubes that engage the wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter may include a distal end for insertion and a proximal end. The distal end for insertion may terminate with a tip. It may define at least two openings, of which one is the proximal-most in the distal end. The distal tip may include a first radiopaque marker that is discretely positioned at the proximal-most opening and radiographically distinguishes the proximal-most opening from the rest of the distal end. The distal tip may also include a second radiopaque marker that marks the tip.

Abstract: Drive systems and methods of use are disclosed herein for performing medical procedures on a patient. The drive systems include various handle types and triggers for controlling catheters and end effectors. The various handle types include a flexible handle and ambidextrous handles that can alter the handedness of the handle for particularized use. The handles drive articulation sections of the catheter and end effectors with various degrees of freedom, and include locks for holding the catheter and/or end effector in place. The catheter systems include structures for allowing degrees of freedom, such as notches, mechanical interlocks, and articulation joints. In addition, the catheters articulate via cables or fluids.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Abstract: The intravenous catheter (100, 200) includes the flexible plastic catheter tube (102) having proximal end (104) and distal end (106), the catheter hub (112, 112-A, 112-B, 112-C, 198) having inner chamber (114, 202) influid connection the catheter tube (102). The intravenous catheter (100, 200) further includes the needle (110) adapted to extend along the catheter tube (102). The intravenous catheter further includes the needle cover (146, 146-A) connected to the catheter hub (112, 112-A, 112-B, 112-C, 198). The needle cover (146, 146-A) has the tubular sleeve (150, 150-A) with the slit (152, 152-A) and the bore (154, 154-A) for receiving the needle (110) such that when the needle (110) is retracted from the needle cover (146, 146-A), the needle cover (146, 146-A) which is in tight fit relationship with the catheter hub (112, 112-A, 112-B, 112-C, 198) disengages the catheter hub (112, 112-A, 112-B, 112-C, 198).

Abstract: A persistent perfusion sheath assembly can be used for the passage of an intravascular medical device while maintain a flow passage in the vessel. The sheath assembly passes through an arteriotomy and can include a first lumen configured for the passage of a medical device, a second lumen configured to allow a flow of fluid from a location in the blood vessel upstream of the arteriotomy to a location downstream of the arteriotomy. The sheath assembly can further include a stylet, a sleeve or an additional sheath configured to selectively open and close the flow of blood between upstream and downstream of the arteriotomy. The sheath assembly can further include a closure device distal of the arteriotomy, the closure device configured to control blood flow through the arteriotomy.

Abstract: A guidewire having a first region having a first property, a second region having a second property different than the first property and a joint formed by a niobium coated nickel titanium alloy sleeve joined onto a first section of the first region and a second section of the second region. A method of joining two metal components for forming a guidewire is also provided including placing a first and second metal component into a sleeve, the first sleeve composed of a nickel titanium alloy and having niobium deposited thereon, and increasing the temperature of the first sleeve so the niobium reacts to form a joint joining the first and second components.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first shaft, an actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The first shaft includes a malleable distal portion. The actuation assembly includes a second shaft and an actuator. The second shaft is coaxially positioned about the first shaft. The actuator is operable to selectively bend the malleable distal portion of the first shaft. The dilation catheter is coaxially interposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator. The dilation catheter is operable to translate along the malleable distal portion of the first shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a catheter shaft, an expandable balloon and a working tube. The working tube is inflatable, has a proximally open end and distally closed end and is disposed on a periphery of the balloon.

Abstract: A multi-purpose balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a non-branching distal end portion, a plurality of lumens associated with the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, and a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and/or the non-branching distal end portion. Each of the plurality of inflatable balloons is communicatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens, the plurality of inflatable balloons being selectively inflated or deflated to position and stabilize the catheter in a cavity for delivery of a medical treatment. The catheter can include an extraction point associated with a lumen to remove fluids and materials from the cavity, and a connector associated with a corresponding lumen adapted to selectively receive one or more of a fluid medium or a radioactive isotope provided to a corresponding lumen for delivery of the medical treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are a drug-coated balloon and a method for preparing the same. The drug-coated balloon comprises a surface liquefied drug coating and a balloon, wherein the drug coating comprises a lipophilic excipient and a drug. The balloon can reduce the loss of the drug during delivery and increase efficiency in transferring the drug to a lesion site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a drug coating layer capable of preventing breakage of elongated drug crystals on a surface of a balloon and maintaining the drug crystals in an appropriate shape in order to act on a living body. The method includes supplying a coating solution which contains the water-insoluble drug, a water-soluble additive, an organic solvent, and water to the surface of the balloon and evaporating the organic solvent and the water to form an additive layer containing the water-soluble additive and a protruding crystal having a tip end protruding from the additive layer, cutting a surplus portion protruding from the additive layer of the protruding crystal from a part surrounded by the additive layer and forming the part surrounded by the additive layer as the elongated body, and removing the cut-out surplus portion from the drug coating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical fluid drainage device for drainage of edematous tissues comprising at least one pumping element (1, 23, 33), having an inlet and an outlet, at least one outlet member (2) having at least one lumen, connected directly or indirectly to the outlet of said pumping element and connecting said pumping element to a body cavity or to a vessel or to a subcutaneous area, and at least one inlet member (3) connected to said inlet of said pumping element and providing fluidic connection between said edematous tissue and said pumping element, and characterized in that the inlet member comprises at least two inlet lumens (4, 5, 6) connected in parallel to said inlet of said pumping element, each of said lumens (4, 5, 6) contains at least one fluid access region, wherein each fluid access region (8, 9, 10) being adapted to allow simultaneous edematous fluid entry from distinct regions of said edematous tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imagable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: A treatment applicator including an applicator surface arranged to cover at least one target area; and an active agent applied to the applicator surface area for application to the at least one target area, wherein the active agent is applied in a concentration gradient decreasing from a first zone of the at least one target area to a second zone of the at least one target area.

Abstract: A medical treatment system including a treatment chamber, a source of an aqueous mist containing a medication, a source of an oxygen-enriched gas, and a control system adapted to alternately surround a human body part with a mist containing a medication and the oxygen enriched gas, which can be used to treat various skin disorders including infected lesions, bacterial infections such as acne (i.e. Proplanibacterium acnes), fungal infections such as Athelete's foot (i.e. fungal genus Trichophyton), conditions associated with hair loss including alopecia as well as ulcerations and frostbite resulting form poor circulation. A method of treating skin disorders is also disclosed, that includes providing a mist containing a medication and enriched oxygen gas to the site being treated its well as providing oxygen to the patient during treatment.

Abstract: A microneedle chip and manufacturing method. The method comprises injecting, into a female mold, a fluid needle liquid, wherein forming cavities matching the shapes of needles of a microneedle chip are provided at the female mold and form a cavity array, injection inlets are provided at a surface of one side of the female mold, and air ejection openings are provided at a surface of another side of the female mold to form an air ejection surface; covering the air ejection surface of the female mold using a breathable film, and during injection, passing a gas through the breathable film so as to retain the liquid inside the forming cavities; curing the fluid needle liquid to form the microneedle chip, and demolding to obtain the same. By employing the air ejection openings and the breathable film, a liquid is retained while ejecting a gas, providing a favorable micro-injection effect.

Abstract: A tattooing apparatus includes a grip body and a pivot pin. The grip body defines a cavity extending entirely through the grip body in a first direction. The pivot pin is mounted in the cavity perpendicular to the first direction, the pivot pin having an axis of rotation, the pivot pin mounted rotatably around the axis of rotation. A tattoo needle assembly includes a needle bar, a loop, and a plurality of needles. The needle bar has a first end and a second end. The loop is coupled to the first end and defines a first plane. The plurality of needles includes a first row coupled to the second end and defining a second plane, the first plane angled approximately 90 degrees to the second plane. A tattoo needle assembly includes three rows of at least three needles, the needles fastened together to be immovable with respect to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable medical device such as a port assembly including a catheter lock and one or more unique device identifiers (“UDIs”) of the catheter lock. The catheter lock is configured to fit over an end portion of a catheter over an outlet stem extending from a portion of the implantable medical device such as housing of a port. The one or more UDIs embedded in the catheter lock include machine-readable identification data for the implantable medical device. Also disclosed is a system including the implantable medical device and instructions stored in a memory of a computing device for execution by one or more processors. Methods related to the foregoing are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: An access device for accessing a lumen of a blood vessel includes a hub, a needle having a tip and a guidewire having a rear end portion and a front end portion. The hub has a longitudinal axis, a main channel, a guidewire channel and an auxiliary channel. The needle has a proximal end and a needle lumen extending between the tip and the proximal end. The proximal end is secured to a distal end of the hub. The needle lumen is in fluid communication with the main channel. The guidewire has a rear end portion and a front end portion. The front end portion is positioned in the guidewire channel proximally relative to a sealing mechanism in an initial configuration. The sealing mechanism substantially limits fluid flow from the main channel through the guidewire channel.

Abstract: A medical valve can include a housing that includes a sidewall and defines a chamber. The medical valve can include a septum coupled to the housing. The septum can include a proximal surface and a selectively openable closure positioned within the chamber. The medical valve can further include a plurality of projections that extend away from the sidewall and are configured to contact the proximal surface of the septum to oppose movement of a restricted portion of the septum in a proximal direction such that an aspiration cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the proximal direction exceeds an infusion cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the distal direction.

Abstract: A device is provided for shielding a fluid access port structure that is located along tubing that is part of an intravenous (IV) medication delivery system and is configured to permit injection of a fluid into the tubing. The device includes a body having a hollow interior and a first opening formed therein for receiving the fluid access port structure such that a side wall of the body surrounds and extends above the fluid access port structure. The body also includes a second opening through which a fluid delivery member can be inserted to allow mating between the fluid delivery member and the fluid access port structure for delivering the fluid into the tubing.

Abstract: A releasable connection assembly for connecting tubing sections is disclosed. The assembly includes a male bayonet connector including a shaft including a distal end portion comprising a lumen extending through the shaft, and a sealing surface configured to create a fluid-tight seal between the lumen and a female receiving lumen. The male bayonet connector also includes a latch member positioned adjacent to the shaft for coupling to a female latch structure. The female receiving member has a proximal end that defines at least two openings configured to receive at least part of the distal end portion of the shaft and the latch member.

Abstract: Capping and cleansing devices for capping and cleansing needlefree connectors, particularly luer access devices such as needlefree vascular access connectors, and methods for using such devices, are described. The devices of the invention include interconnected inner and outer housings that a user can transition between a locked or engaged position to allow them to rotate in unison and a unlocked or disengaged position that allows the outer housing to rotate independently of the inner housing about the device's central axis, and a compressible cleansing matrix secured in the device (preferably in a well in the outer housing).

Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for improving treatment of hypertension. For example, this document describes methods and devices for electroporation of nerves in the renal area to treat hypertension.

Abstract: A first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode are placed on a head of the patient. The electrodes are electrically connected to a master unit or sub-control unit that generates a first stimulation signal, during a first time period, to the first and second electrodes to stimulate the brain inside the head. The third and fourth electrodes receive a first brain signal, during a second time period, and forwards the first brain signal to the master unit or sub-control unit which analyzes the first brain signal and adapting a second stimulation signal based on information in the first brain signal.

Abstract: A garment worn by the patient is provided. The garment has a first sub-control unit electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode placed at a first muscle or first nerve of the patient. The first sub-control unit is electrically connected to a master unit. A fifth electrode is provided placed at a head of the patient that measures a brain voltage signal from a brain of the patient. The fifth electrode sends the measured brain voltage signal to a second sub-control unit or the master unit. A sixth electrode is placed adjacent to a heart of the patient that measures a heart signal from the heart of the patient. The second sub-control unit or the master unit analyzing the measured brain voltage signal and/or heart signal to determine which muscle to stimulate. The master unit adapts a first stimulation signal to the first sub-control unit based on the measured brain voltage signal or heart signal.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include an implantable lead having a terminal pin, a conductor member configured to rotate in response to rotation of the terminal pin and a coupler arranged within configured to interface with the conductor member and having a rear bearing surface contacting the inner wall of a housing.

Abstract: Embodiments detect obstructive sleep apnea (“OSA”). Embodiments measure a pattern of breathing by a user; and analyze the pattern using stored breath limits to determine one or more missed breaths by the user.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate body, at least two elongate stimulation members extending from the elongate body, at least one electrode on each of the elongate stimulation members, where the electrodes form an electrode array that receives and conducts electrical current. The elongate stimulation members curve only in the first volume defined at least in part by a first plane, and a second volume defined at least in part by the first plane and being opposite the first volume can contain no electrodes. The catheter can further include a position gauge having a marking that indicates a length between a second end of the elongate body and a bumper end of the position gauge. The catheter can also include a pulmonary artery catheter having a lumen, where the catheter extends through the lumen of the pulmonary artery catheter.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include an implantable lead. The lead may include a taper or tapered portion and a fixation helix both configured to embed within tissue. In addition, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a guide wire configured to obtain and record signals from the heart tissue and facilitate placement of the fixation helix.

Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a tubular member coupled to the body, the tubular member comprising an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized to insert into an inner lumen of a lead, the tubular member is movable between a first configuration in which the tubular member slides into the lead, and a second configuration in which at least a portion of the tubular member expands to engage an inner surface of the lead; and, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the tubular member, the actuation mechanism configured to move the tubular member between the first configuration and second configuration.

Abstract: In some examples, a method including detecting, via processing circuitry, an induced voltage in at least one of an electrode or a lead conductor of an implantable medical device, wherein the induced voltage is induced in the at least one of the electrode or the lead conductor of the implantable medical device by a radio frequency (RF) field generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner; and modifying, via the processing circuitry, an MRI scan based on the detected induced voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a delivery tool configured to deliver a neurostimulator into a pterygopalatine fossa of a subject. The neurostimulator can include a body connected to an integral stimulation lead having one or more stimulating electrodes. The delivery tool can comprise a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, a hub portion, and a double barrel sheath. The hub portion can be located between the shaft and a spine member that extends axially away from the hub portion. The hub portion can be sized and dimensioned to releasably mate with the neurostimulator. The double barrel sheath can be connected to the spine member. A central lumen can extend through at least a portion of the shaft and the hub portion. The central lumen can be adapted to receive a lead ejector for selective deployment of the stimulation lead from the double barrel sheath.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating erectile dysfunction are disclosed. Methods are aimed at reducing blood outflow from penile tissue by delivering energy to specific penile tissue that controls blood outflow from the penile tissue and causing remodeling of the specific penile tissue. Devices may be configured to generate RF energy and to apply the generated RF energy to a penis to thereby elevate a temperature of internal penile tissue above a predetermined temperature value while maintaining a penile surface below a predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined temperature value may be set to initiate synthesis and/or a regeneration of collagen fibers in a collagen-rich penile connective tissue and/or to increase oxygenation of endothelial cells, initiate angiogenesis and neovascularization in a vascular penile tissue. Additionally, electrical penile stimulation is disclosed, possibly applicable in conjuncture with the erectile dysfunction treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for stimulating one or more nerves with an implantable device. The implantable device may comprise an antenna circuit including a loop antenna and a control circuit including a rectifying diode for rectifying an alternating voltage induced in the antenna circuit by an external electromagnetic field. The implantable device may also include a chargeable storage element for storing energy from the rectified voltage without using a battery. The device may also include an electrode array containing a set of electrodes for emitting an electric field using the stored energy in response to a control signal received from the control circuit. The components of the device may be affixed onto a soft polymer substrate including a linkable peripheral tab on at least two edges of a substantially rectangular body section of the substrate for forming a cuff about the one or more nerves to be stimulated.

Abstract: Cardiac activity of the heart can be sensed using, for example, one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) that are implanted in a close proximity to the heart. Sensing cardiac activity by the one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) can help the system in determining an occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia. For treatment purposes, electrical stimulation therapy, for example anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP) therapy, can be delivered by at least one of the devices of the system. Such therapy can help treat the detected cardiac arrhythmia. In some instances, one of the leadless cardiac pacemakers can instruct one or more of the other devices to assist in providing pacing therapy. In some instances, one of the leadless cardiac pacemakers can instruct one or more of the other devices to temporarily stop providing therapy or to simply shut down while another device provides therapy.

Abstract: A method for providing electrical stimulation to a user as a user performs a set of tasks during a time window, the method comprising: providing an electrical stimulation treatment, characterized by a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to a brain region of the user in association with the time window; for each task of the set of tasks: receiving a signal stream characterizing a neurological state of the user; from the signal stream, identifying a neurological signature characterizing the neurological state associated with the task; and modulating the electrical stimulation treatment provided to the brain region of the user based upon the neurological signature, wherein modulating comprises delivering a portion of the set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, while maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of the treatment provided during the time window below a maximum limit.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for an implantable medical device is described. An implant magnet has a modified disc shape and is capable of responding to an external magnetic field by rotating about a primary center rotation axis. The implant magnet shape has at least one cross-sectional view in which the cylindrical diameter corresponds to a horizontal coordinate axis, the center symmetry axis corresponds to a vertical coordinate axis, the height between the end surfaces is greatest at the center symmetry axis, and the height between the end surfaces progressively decreases from the center symmetry axis along the cylindrical diameter towards the outer circumference to define a secondary deflection angle with respect to the horizontal coordinate axis so that the implant magnet is capable of responding to the external magnetic field by deflecting within the secondary deflection angle about a secondary deflection axis defined by a cylinder diameter normal to the cross-sectional view.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement is described for signal processing in a bilateral hearing implant system. A channel compression module develops a inhibition-adjusted band pass signal for each band pass signal using a channel-specific dynamic inhibition adjustment based on a channel-normalized medial olivocochlear reflex model that reflects bandwidth energy for a corresponding contralateral band pass signal and bandwidth energy for a selected reference contralateral band pass signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing and treating spinal cord stimulation (SCS) patients are disclosed. Patients are eventually treated with sub-perception (paresthesia free) therapy. However, supra-perception stimulation is used during “sweet spot searching” during which active electrodes are selected for the patient. This allows sweet spot searching to occur much more quickly and without the need to wash in the various electrode combinations that are tried. After selecting electrodes using supra-perception therapy, therapy is titrated to sub-perception levels using the selected electrodes. Such sub-perception therapy has been investigated using pulses at or below 10 kHz, and it has been determined that a statistically significant correlation exists between pulse width (PW) and frequency (F) in this frequency range at which SCS patients experience significant reduction in symptoms such as back pain.

Abstract: Various techniques include advancing an implantable medical device comprising a tissue-piercing electrode toward the triangle of Koch region of the right atrium or through the coronary sinus to deliver cardiac therapy to or sense electrical activity of the left ventricle in the basal region, septal region, or basal-septal region of the left ventricular myocardium of a patient's heart. The tissue-piercing electrode may include an imageable material. The implantable medical device may include an imageable member made of an imageable material coupled to a housing or a lead of the implantable medical device. Image information representing the patient's heart and the imageable material may be acquired using two-dimensional imaging. Orientation information representing the implantable medical device may be generated based on the acquired image information.

Abstract: A method of delivering a pacing lead may include locating a potential implantation site adjacent to or within the triangle of Koch region of a patient's heart. The method may include advancing a pacing lead to the potential implantation site. The pacing lead has an elongate body and a fixation element coupled to a distal portion and attachable to the right-atrial endocardium adjacent to or within the triangle of Koch region. The method may include implanting the pacing lead at the potential implantation site to or sense electrical activity of the left ventricle in the basal and/or septal region of the left ventricular myocardium of the patient's heart. The pacing lead may include a lumen configured to receive a guide wire. A sheath of a delivery system used to deliver the pacing lead may include two or more curves to facilitate implanting the pacing lead at the implantation site.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for inducing endogenous release of peptides is provided including a concha apparatus including a first electrode in contact with vagal related neural structures; an earpiece connected to the concha apparatus by a first connector, the earpiece including a PCB layer including a second electrode configured to be in contact with a neural structure related to the auriculotemporal nerve, and at least another electrode configured to be in contact with or in proximity to neural structures related to the great auricular nerve and/or its branches and/or the lesser occipital nerve and/or its branches, and an adhesive configured to secure the electrodes on the earpiece to the skin; and a pulse generator connected to the earpiece by a second connector, the pulse generator including circuitry in communication with the first electrode of the concha apparatus, the second electrode and the at least another electrode of the earpiece.

Abstract: An implantable medical device performs a method that includes detecting a cardiac event interval that is greater than a P-wave oversensing threshold interval. In response to detecting the cardiac event interval greater than the P-wave oversensing threshold interval, the device determines the amplitude of the sensed cardiac signal and withholds restarting a pacing interval in response to the amplitude satisfying P-wave oversensing criteria. A pacing pulse may be generated in response to the pacing interval expiring without sensing an intrinsic cardiac electrical event that is not detected as a P-wave oversensing event.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for initiating a night-time mode of operation in an implantable hearing prosthesis in response to detection of night-time recharging operations. More specifically, an implantable hearing prosthesis comprises a rechargeable battery that is configured to be recharged via an external night-time charging device, such as a pillow charger. The implantable hearing prosthesis is configured to detect inductive charging of the rechargeable battery by the external night-time charging device. In response, the implantable hearing prosthesis is switched to a night-time mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless signal transmission are described. A fractal antenna may be utilized to wirelessly communicate with a transmitter implanted within or located external to the patient. The fractal antenna may be implanted within the patient and may be coupled with a lead also implanted within the patient. The characteristics of the fractal antenna may allow for enhanced data transmission between the antenna and the transmitter while reducing the need for implanted wires to connect the transmitter and leads.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and non-transitory computer readable media facilitating telemetry data communication security between an implantable device and an external clinician device are provided. An implantable device can include a security component configured to generate security information based on reception of a clinician telemetry session request from the clinician device via a first telemetry communication protocol. The security information can include a session identifier and a first session key, and the clinician telemetry session request can include a clinician device identifier associated with the clinician device.