Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft, and an inflatable balloon. The inner shaft is inserted inside the outer shaft. A part of the inner shaft extends beyond a leading end of the outer shaft. The inflatable balloon includes a base end side joint portion and a leading end side joint portion, the base end side joint portion is joined to the outer shaft and the leading end side joint portion is joined to the inner shaft. The inner shaft has an extension portion configured to extend in an axial line direction. The extension portion is located closer to the base end side of the outer shaft than to the leading end side joint portion of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for delivering a drug to the frontal sinus system. An inflatable implant is positioned within the frontal sinus system using an anchoring means secured within the frontal sinus cavity. A drug-containing fluid is released directly into the frontal sinus drainage system.

Abstract: An inflation device including a handle mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage threads within the device. In some instances the threads are configured to couple a plunger to a syringe body. The handle mechanism may be configured to (1) provide a mechanical advantage and (2) change the location and direction of the input force, thereby making the device easier to use.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for arresting or reversing the effects of myocardial remodeling and degeneration after cardiac injury, without the potential drawbacks associated with previously existing systems and methods, by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava over multiple cardiac cycles, and more preferably, by adjusting the interval or degree of occlusion responsive to a sensed level of patient activity. In some embodiments, a controller is provided that actuates a drive mechanism responsive to a sensed level of patient activity to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, while a data transfer circuit of the controller provides bi-directional transfer of physiologic data to the patient's smartphone or tablet to permit display and review of such data.

Abstract: Valves and valve systems are provided that are useful for integration with inflatable indwelling medical devices to prevent over-inflation of retention balloon.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a compressible chamber positionable beneath a foot of a user and being movable between an expanded position and a compressed position. The compressible chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. An inlet valve is in fluid communication with the inlet to prevent fluid within the compressible chamber from exiting the inlet, and an outlet valve is in fluid communication with the outlet to prevent fluid from entering the compressible chamber through the outlet. A biasing member is disposed within the compressible chamber to bias the compressible chamber toward the expanded position, and a manifold is positionable at a tissue site and in fluid communication with the inlet of the compressible chamber.

Abstract: Balloon catheter, guide catheter and method for dilating openings in paranasal sinuses. A non-removable guide member (e.g., guidewire) extends from the distal end of the balloon catheter. The non-removable guide member initially passes through the opening of the paranasal sinus and is followed by the catheter body on which the balloon is mounted. The balloon is then inflated causing dilation of the opening of the paranasal sinus. In some embodiments, the non-removable guide member may be shapeable so that the operator may place the non-removable guide member in a desired shape prior to insertion of the balloon catheter. In some embodiments, the length of the non-removable guide member may be adjustable such that the operator may adjust the length of the non-removable guide member prior to insertion of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: An intelligent bioelectric module for use with a drug delivery system has a case and a set of at least two electrodes in electrical communication with a detection surface of the case. The case is configured so that, in use, the detection surface comes into electrical communication with (i) a second surface of the delivery system when a first surface of the delivery system has been put into contact with a tissue surface of a human or animal subject or (ii) the tissue surface that is adjacent to a portion contacted by the first surface of the delivery system or (iii) both the second surface and the tissue surface.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, controlling delivery of a transdermally-delivered medication, certain embodiments including a flux controller.

Abstract: Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. The cartridge may include a second seal member. The cartridge may have one or more projections formed thereon. The proximal end region of the main body may have one or more recesses formed therein. The one or more recesses may be designed to engage the one or more projections. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body.

Abstract: A medical connector includes a housing with a central axis, a hollow bore, and a narrowed passage. The connector further includes a rigid valve member configured to move along the axis of the connector as the connector moves between an open and closed configuration. The connector includes a resilient member coupled to the valve member and the housing.

Abstract: A syringe having barrel and a non-luer tip that is not connectable to an intravenous device is disclosed. The syringe as an enteral collar engagement feature adjacent the distal end of the syringe barrel. The syringe has an enteral collar having a distal end and proximal end, the proximal end having a syringe engagement feature complementary to and engagable with the enteral collar engagement feature.

Abstract: A connector for transferring fluid, the connector may have a first port, a second port, and a third port which may be fluidly coupled together at an internal chamber with a first valve element therein controlling fluid flow through the second port. The connector can have ribs extending along the connector to provide a fluid path around the valve element and between the first port and the second port. The valve element can separate the internal chamber into an air chamber and a liquid chamber, and the third port can be continuously coupled to the liquid chamber regardless of a position of the valve element.

Abstract: A protective cap having a first cap and a second cap that are removably coupled together for use in short-term and long-term antimicrobial treatment of needleless connectors and access ports of an infusion system. The instant invention further provides a protective cap having a first cap and a second cap that each coupled to a different surface of a component of an infusion system, such as a syringe. The instant invention further provides a strip containing a plurality of disposable protective caps.

Abstract: A single-use cap comprising a cap for connecting to an inlet or outlet of container, connector or port for accessing a material and a piston movably mounted inside the cap. The single-use cap further comprises a first retainer for temporarily holding the piston at a first unused position with respect to the cap. It also has a state converter for converting the piston from the first unused to a second used state when the single-use cap is used to connect to the outlet of the container, connector or port. Once the single-use cap is disconnected from the outlet of the container, connector or port, then a second retainer is activated for permanently retaining the piston in the second used state. The second used state prevents the single-use cap from being reused for connecting to the outlet of the container, connector or port.

Abstract: A medical tube clamp for clamping a flexible medical tube comprising: a tube receiving area which is adapted to receive the medical tube, a first clamping portion including a first clamping jaw which is movable relative to a second clamping portion including a second clamping jaw, and a closure system for safely positioning the two clamping portions in more than one snap-fit position relative to each other so that, when the closure system is unlocked, the medical tube can be inserted in and removed from the tube clamp, in an open snap-fit position the inserted medical tube cannot be removed and is not clamped and in a clamping snap-fit position the medical tube is clamped between the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw, with the first clamping jaw being configured to be elastically movable relative to the first clamping portion via a connecting member and/or the second clamping jaw being configured to be elastically movable relative to the second clamping portion via a connecting member.

Abstract: A method for implanting a medical lead. The method includes advancing a tunneling tool posteriorly proximate the caudal end of the sternum toward a first location. The tunneling tool is advanced superiorly underneath the sternum through the anterior mediastinum from the first location to a second location cranial to the first location. A guidewire is advanced from the first location to the second location. A medical lead is slid along at least a portion of the guidewire, the medical lead at least substantially spanning the distance between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the location of a physiological midline and utilizing the physiological midline location to improve a spinal cord stimulation model are disclosed. A first improvement constructs a target stimulation field along a line that is parallel with the determined physiological midline. An allocation of stimulation among the electrodes to mimic the target field is computed. A second improvement models a response of neural elements at evaluation positions that are parallel with the physiological midline based on the electric field that is generated for the computed allocation of stimulation among the electrodes. The stimulation amplitude is adjusted based on the neural element modeling to maintain stimulation intensity, and the stimulation amplitude and allocation of stimulation among the electrodes are compiled into an electrode configuration that is communicated to a neurostimulator.

Abstract: Flexible high-density mapping catheter tips and flexible ablation catheter tips with onboard high-density mapping electrodes are disclosed. These tips can be used for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias. The flexible, distal tips are adapted to conform to tissue and comprise a plurality of microelectrodes mounted to permit relative movement among at least some of the microelectrodes. The flexible tip portions may comprise a flexible framework forming a flexible array of microelectrodes (for example, a planar or cylindrical array) adapted to conform to tissue and constructed at least in part from nonconductive material in some embodiments. The flexible array of microelectrodes may be formed from a plurality of rows of longitudinally-aligned microelectrodes. The flexible array may further comprise, for example, a plurality of electrode-carrying arms or electrode-carrier bands. Multiple flexible frameworks may be present on a single device.

Abstract: A neural probe comprising an array of stimulation and/or recording electrodes supported on a tape spring-type carrier is described. The neural probe comprising the tape spring-type carrier is used to insert flexible electrode arrays straight into tissue, or to insert them off-axis from the initial penetration of a guide tube. Importantly, the neural probe is not rigid, but has a degree of stiffness provided by the tape spring-type carrier that maintains a desired trajectory into body tissue, but will subsequently allow the probe to flex and move in unison with movement of the body tissue.

Abstract: An active cardiac electrical lead is disclosed, including a tip housing having a lumen, a soft tip plug and a marker band. The tip housing includes a body and an extension extending from a distal end of the body, and the body is of greater outer diameter than the extension. The soft tip plug fits over the extension and engaging the extension. The marker band is attached to an outer surface of the body or to an inner surface of the lumen.

Abstract: Implantable leadless pacing devices and medical device systems including an implantable leadless pacing device are disclosed. An example implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. An anchoring member may be coupled to the distal region. One or more anti-rotation members may be fixedly attached to the distal region.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for an implantable medical device is described. An implantable coil case contains a communications coil and is made of biocompatible resilient material with a top lateral surface. A magnet receptacle is located within the coil case and has a receptacle opening in the top lateral surface. An implant magnet fits within the magnet receptacle and has opposing end surfaces, and a center body region located between the end surfaces. An elastic opening clamp is located radially around the receptacle opening and is configured to normally be closed around the receptacle opening to maintain the implant magnet within the magnet receptacle. The elastic opening clamp also is configured to cooperate with a surgical handling tool to expand the receptacle opening to permit the implant magnet to be removed from the magnet receptacle through the receptacle opening without needing to move the coil case.

Abstract: A method and system to help determine the extent to which a hearing prosthesis recipient is exposed to speech. The hearing prosthesis will log data regarding audio input, optimally in correspondence with times when the hearing prosthesis is in a stimulation-on mode in which the hearing prosthesis is set to stimulate a physiological system of the recipient in accordance with received audio input, so as to facilitate identification of speech to which the recipient is exposed. Further, as the hearing prosthesis itself receives the audio input, the hearing prosthesis may analyze the audio input to determine one or more linguistic characteristics of the audio input, such as a quantity of speech by the recipient and/or by others, and the hearing prosthesis may output data representing the determined one or more linguistic characteristics. Advantageously, the data may then be used to help facilitate rehabilitation of the recipient.

Abstract: A device for neurostimulation including an electrode structure for delivering stimulation pulses to a nerve as well as for processing and extracting evoked compound action potentials, wherein the electrode structure comprises at least a first anode, at least a second anode opposing the first anode and a plurality of cathodes arranged between said anodes, wherein said cathodes are asymmetrically arranged with respect to said at least first and second anode to permit evoked compound action potential sensing via the anode electrodes simultaneously with stimulation.

Abstract: An example of a system may include a processor and a memory device comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: access a patient metric of a subject; use the patient metric as an input to a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm to search a plurality of neuromodulation parameter sets and to identify a candidate neuromodulation parameter set of the plurality of neuromodulation parameter sets, the candidate neuromodulation parameter set designed to produce a non-regular waveform that varies over a time domain and a space domain; and program a neuromodulator using the candidate neuromodulation parameter set to stimulate the subject.

Abstract: Devices and methods for single therapy pulse (STP) therapy for tacharrythmia are disclosed. The STP therapy can be delivered from a far-field position to allow a “global” capture approach to pacing. Due to the global capture in STP, a series of pulses, which is indicative of conventional anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) delivered by transvenous systems, becomes unnecessary. One to four pulses at most are needed for STP, and after delivery of the one to four pulses, therapy delivery can be interrupted to determine whether the previously delivered therapy has been successful.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a cardiac pacing therapy that includes a cardiac signal being sensed via electrodes of an atrial lead, and an occurrence of one of an intrinsic and a paced atrial depolarization event of a current cardiac cycle being determined in response to the sensed cardiac signal. A first pacing therapy is delivered during the current cardiac cycle in response to the determined occurrence of the depolarization event, and an amplitude of the cardiac signal within the current cardiac cycle subsequent to the delivered first pacing therapy is compared to a predetermined amplitude threshold. A second pacing therapy is delivered, via a left ventricular lead, within the same cardiac cycle and subsequent to the delivered first pacing therapy in response to the amplitude not being more negative than the predetermined amplitude threshold and is not delivered in response to the amplitude being more negative than the predetermined amplitude threshold.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses are used to transmit data between external and internal portions of auditory prostheses or other medical devices. The external portion of the auditory prosthesis includes a magnet and an implanted coil that provides stimulation to the device recipient. A shaped shield material can be placed between the external coil and the sound processing hardware to improve efficiency and effectiveness between the external coil and implanted coil. Adverse effects on tuning frequencies can be reduced by disposing the shield material away from the magnet.

Abstract: Devices for controlling spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including controllers for modulation program recommendation are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving, from multiple computing devices, ratings for modulation programs executed by implantable medical devices for a plurality of patients, ranking the modulation programs based on the received ratings and based on at least one characteristic of the patients and the symptoms described by the patients, receiving a recommendation request for a modulation program for a particular patient; and transmitting one or more of the highest ranking modulation programs in response to the request for a modulation program for the particular patient.

Abstract: A medical system comprising internal parts for implantation in a patient and external parts for use externally to the patient, the external parts comprising an energy source equipped with a primary coil for inductively transmitting energy to the implantable parts and an external control unit for the control of the energy source, the internal parts comprising an electrically powered medical device, an energy receiver equipped with a secondary coil for inductively receiving energy for the medical device from the external energy source and an internal control unit for the control of the internal parts, in which system the internal control unit is arranged to wirelessly transmit feedback information to the external control unit, the system being arranged to determine said feedback information based on or relating to a parameter.

Abstract: Implantable devices and/or sensors can be wirelessly powered by controlling and propagating electromagnetic waves in a patient's tissue. Such implantable devices/sensors can be implanted at target locations in a patient, to stimulate areas such as the heart, brain, spinal cord, or muscle tissue, and/or to sense biological, physiological, chemical attributes of the blood, tissue, and other patient parameters. The propagating electromagnetic waves can be generated with sub-wavelength structures configured to manipulate evanescent fields outside of tissue to generate the propagating waves inside the tissue. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: Implantable devices and/or sensors can be wirelessly powered by controlling and propagating electromagnetic waves in a patient's tissue. Such implantable devices/sensors can be implanted at target locations in a patient, to stimulate areas such as the heart, brain, spinal cord, or muscle tissue, and/or to sense biological physiological, chemical attributes of the blood, tissue, and other patient parameters. The propagating electromagnetic waves can be generated with sub-wavelength structures configured to manipulate evanescent fields outside of tissue to generate the propagating waves inside the tissue. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: Provided are methods for disrupting dipolar interactions in vivo and in vitro, as wells as treating conditions associated with abnormal cell growth, by subjecting to an artificial, stable magnetic field. Also provided are assays involving an artificial, stable magnetic field. Additionally, the exposure of an artificial, stable magnetic field may be combined with other non-magnetic therapy in treatment or assays.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. The system can include a neural stimulation system that receives an indication of an ambient audio signal detected by a microphone. The system selects, from a profile, an audio signal including a fixed parameter and a variable parameter. The system sets the variable parameter to a first value. The system generates an output signal based on the fixed parameter and the first value, and provides the output signal to the speaker. The system measures a physiological condition of the subject, adjusts the variable parameter to a second value, generates a second output signal based on the fixed parameter and the second value of the variable parameter, and provides the output signal to the speaker to cause the speaker to provide modified sound to the subject.

Abstract: A determination apparatus determines the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source close to a target object to be treated. A position determination element like a guidewire with an electromagnetic tracking element is introduced into the introduction element such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element, wherein the positions of the position determination element within the introduction element are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, a method, a computer program and a computer readable medium for determining the thickness of a range shifter to attain target dose coverage in ion beam treatment, wherein the range shifter is for use in a machine for radiation treatment of a target volume, by: receiving, in a processor, input parameters comprising a radiation energy parameter, a range shifter material parameter, object geometry information, and beam characteristic parameters; and further calculating, for each of at least one delivery direction, a range shifter thickness, based on the input parameters, which will deliver the optimum dose conformity.

Abstract: A scenario-based radiotherapy treatment plan optimization method is used to define an extended region of interest for treatment planning purposes, based on the union of the positions of a region of interest in a number of different scenarios, each scenario representing a realization of a possible location of the region of interest. Preferably a number of scenarios are defined and some of these scenarios are used to define the extended region.

Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method may include acquiring digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) of a patient and generating a first set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a first energy level and a second set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a second energy level. The method may also include processing the first and second sets of image data to generate an enhanced image, wherein the enhanced image comprises a combination of the first and second sets of image data, and wherein part or all of the image data comprises the target. The method may also include registering the enhanced image with the DRRs to obtain a registration result, tracking movement and position of the target using the registration result to generating tracking information.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a radiation gun system comprises: a particle beam gun that generates a particle beam, and a gun control component that controls the gun particle beam generation characteristics, including particle beam fidelity characteristics. The particle beam characteristics can be compatible with FLASH radiation therapy. Resolution control of the particle beam generation can enable dose delivery at an intra-pulse level and micro-bunch level. The micro-bunch can include individual bunches per each 3 GHz RF cycle within the 5 to 15 ?sec pulse-width. The FLASH radiation therapy dose delivery can have a bunch level resolution of approximately 4.4×10{circumflex over (?)}?6cGy/bunch.

Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus is described for externally treating kidney stone in human body. The apparatus has one or more ultrasound imaging transducers, a therapeutic ultrasound transducer, and a processing unit. Optimized delivering of ultrasound energy to the kidney stone from the therapeutic ultrasound transducer is based on real-time tracked state (e.g., position, movement shape, size, or combination thereof) of the kidney stone. The ultrasound imaging transducer(s) is configured to image the stone during the application of the therapy treatment. An optimization algorithm is implemented to control the therapeutic ultrasound transducer to apply different force vectors to the region of the stone. The effect of the vectors in the differing directions with respect to the stone may be detected and input to the optimization algorithm, which optimizes the therapy by adjusting one or more of the vectors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses liquid precursor compositions adapted for application on a hard surface in the oral cavity, comprising at least one therapeutic agent suitable for the treatment of oral disorders, at least one acidic-pH sensitive polymer, at least one hydrophobic polymer, and a pharmaceutically acceptable volatile carrier, wherein a weight ratio between said at least one hydrophobic polymer and said at least one acidic-pH sensitive polymer is larger than 1. The invention also discloses formulations formed of the solidification of these compositions, and methods for treating oral disorders by applying these compositions on hard surfaces in the oral cavity or to be placed in the oral cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a respirator mask management system. The respirator mask management system comprises a database storage, a data processing unit operatively coupled to the database storage, a user mobile device communicatively coupled with the data processing unit over a communication network, and a respirator mask including a filter configured to prevent inhalation of pollutants by a user, an exhalation valve, a sensor configured to determine a state of the exhalation valve, and a microprocessor operatively coupled with the sensor and having a wireless connectivity to the user mobile device for transmitting the sensed states of the exhalation valve to a respirator mask manager of the user mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method for completing fit tests on a respirator mask, and indicating end of service life for one or more elements of the respirator mask. The system includes an electronics module mounted on the interior of the face mask. The module includes a pressure sensor, and possibly other sensors, such as gas sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. The module may detect the pressure on the interior of the mask during fit tests to detect any leaks in the mask. The module may be used for positive and negative pressure fit tests. Additionally, the module may include one or more indicators (lights, sounds, vibrations) for alerting a user during a fit test. The module may also detect end of service life by analyzing the sensor data, and may indicate end of service life to the user.

Abstract: A weight bearing fall protection connector includes a first connection member configured to attach the connector to a piece of fall protection equipment, and a second connection member configured to attach the connector to another piece of all equipment, with the connection members fixed to each other to transfer the weight of a worker in a fall event and for movement relative to each other between a ready position and a fall position. The connector further includes a breakable component having a retaining condition wherein the component maintains the members in a ready position and broken condition wherein the component allows the members to move to their fall position. The connector further includes a wireless fall indicator including a wireless transmitter and a switch configured to activate the wireless transmitter in response to movement of the members from the ready position to the fall position.

Abstract: A fire fighting vehicle includes a chassis, an engine coupled to the chassis, a fluid tank configured to store a fluid, a fluid delivery system, and a controller. The fluid delivery system includes a first pump, a second pump, a low pressure discharge, a first high pressure discharge, and a second high pressure discharge. The first pump is coupled to the fluid tank and configured to pump the fluid therefrom at a first pressure. The second pump is positioned downstream of and coupled to the first pump in a serial arrangement. The controller is configured to selectively vary at least one of a speed, a power output, and a torque output of the engine and thereby provide the fluid to at least one of the first high pressure discharge and the second high pressure discharge at a target discharge pressure.

Abstract: In an example, an electronic device may monitor a rate of change of water pressure associated with a charged fire sprinkler system. The electronic device may determine whether the rate of change of water pressure is greater than a threshold. The electronic device may, in response to determining that the rate of change is not greater than the threshold, initiate a system recharge in which a fire pump of the fire sprinkler system is activated to attempt to recharge the water pressure.

Abstract: Provided are a branch tee for sprinkler pipes, which is capable of selectively sprinkling fire extinguishing water only on a fire occurrence area and preventing the skipping effect although there are many obstacles to sprinkling water or a distance between sprinkler heads is narrow, and a sprinkler pipe system including the branch tee.

Abstract: A system to mitigate false trips of a valve that supplies water to a piping system in a fire suppression system includes at least one edge device, a control circuit, and at least one user device. The at least one edge device monitors a parameter corresponding to at least one of a corrosion, a presence of water, a differential pressure across the valve, and a temperature in the piping system of the fire suppression system. The control circuit includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the control circuit to receive an indication of the parameter monitored by the at least one edge device, predict whether a valve tripping event is expected to occur based on the received indication, and in response to predicting that the valve tripping event is expected to occur, provide the prediction that the valve tripping event can occur for remedial action. The at least one user device presents display data regarding the prediction.