Abstract: An energy-channel frequency resonance device can be selectively mounted in an apparatus, such as a chair, a shoulder and neck massager, a seat, or a mattress. A user can operate the apparatus to generate acoustic frequency, optical frequency, magnetic frequency and vibration frequency, to promote human body circulation for health effect.

Abstract: Urinary catheter-insertion kits disclosed herein can include a working tray, a storage tray, a urinary catheter, and a drainage system including drainage tubing and a drainage receptacle. The working tray can be configured to nest with the storage tray by suspending the working tray from the storage tray. At least the working tray includes a number of preformed sections configured to hold a number of components of the urinary catheter-insertion kit. At least one section of the preformed sections of the working tray includes a catheter section configured to hold the urinary catheter. The storage tray can be configured to hold the drainage system. Also disclosed herein are methods of urinary catheterization with the urinary catheter-insertion kits.

Abstract: A urinary catheter having a sensor or indicator affixed therein in a location that will be in the flow of urine when catheter is in use. The indicator comprises an electrolytic wicking material having an anode and a cathode thereon separated across the gap. The wicking material may be paper. The indicator further includes an output transducer positioned and connected relative to the anode and cathode such that a circuit which energizes the output transducer is created when urine flows. The indicator is configured to generate an output signal received at a remote location so that a medical practitioner can monitor proper usage of the catheter. There may be multiple anode/cathode pairs connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or current. Also, a capacitor and/or an antenna may be provided for the output transducer to boost the output signal.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. In embodiments, the device features a clearance member that is formed to match a cross-section of a medical tube. Still further, the clearance member can have a plurality of branches, each branch configured to clear a respective lumen in a partitioned region of a medical tube. In this manner, the clearance member may clear obstructions from individual lumens of the partitioned region of the medical tube. Device for actuating a clearance member to clear obstructions within a medical tube are also disclosed. Methods of clearing a medical tube of obstructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter and an inner needle inserted through the catheter. The catheter includes a plurality of sites that are distinguishable from each other along the axial direction. The plurality of sites have different hardnesses between adjacent sites.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter body and a distal tip section that includes an elongated member that extends along a longitudinal axis. An anchor mechanism can be disposed along an outer surface of the elongated member and/or within the elongated member in a first configuration. In a second configuration, the anchor mechanism can be configured to extend radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis to surround at least a portion of the distal tip section.

Abstract: A steerable catheter has a body with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central lumen. The outer surface and inner surface define a wall of the body, which has a plurality of steering lumen and control lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The body includes a body material. The steering lumen and control lumen have a control lumen lining and steering lumen lining, respectively, with a higher durometer than the body material. A steering wire is positioned within the steering lumen and a control wire is positioned within the control lumen.

Abstract: Percutaneous devices and methods for releasably engaging a guidewire against an inner surface of a tubular member are disclosed. A percutaneous device can include a tube member, a push member, and a fixation mechanism such as a fixation balloon. The tube member can define a lumen sized and shaped to receive one or more interventional medical devices therethrough and can have an outer diameter smaller than a lumen of a guide catheter. The push member can extend proximal of the tube member for slidably positioning a distal end portion of the tube member within and beyond a distal end of the guide catheter. The push member can include a lumen in fluid communication with an interior of the fixation balloon, for example, for delivering inflation fluid to, or removing fluid from, the balloon. The fixation balloon can be positioned can be positioned and configured to engage a guidewire against the inner surface of the guide catheter or of the tube member when inflated.

Abstract: An introducer sheath for use in hybrid procedures on the heart includes a shaft having a distal balloon which is inflated inside the heart wall. A proximal collar is slidable along the shaft and locked to anchor the sheath to the wall of the heart. The sheath has markings visible to both the naked eye and under fluoroscopy to aid in judging the depth of insertion.

Abstract: A medical tool includes, a deflectable distal end, at least a pull wire, and a coupling element. The at least pull wire has a first end coupled to the distal end of the medical tool, and configured to be moved for deflecting the distal end. The coupling element is coupled to a second end of the pull wire and having at least two boreholes configured to receive at least two respective rods traversing therethrough. The coupling element is configured to be moved along a rotation axis of a rotatable element coupled thereto, and the boreholes and the respective rods are configured to prevent rotation of the coupling element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a delivery device for a medical tubular body that is unlikely to be kinked without decreasing handleability. The delivery device for a medical tubular body has an outer tube in which the medical tubular body is to be disposed; an inner rod disposed in the outer tube; and a guidewire insertion member disposed proximal to the medical tubular body, the guidewire insertion member having a penetration passage in which a guidewire is to be passed through; the inner rod is partially fixed to the guidewire insertion member; and the guidewire insertion member having a cross-sectional area in a cross-section perpendicular to an axis direction satisfying the formula (1): cross-sectional area Sa>cross-sectional area Sb??(1).

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable balloon which is enclosed by an expandable cover which becomes increasingly porous/permeable during expansion. The balloon is coated or enclosed with a matrix which contains a pharmaceutically active agent. During expansion of the balloon, the pharmaceutically active agent is released or extruded through the expandable cover into a body cavity such as an artery or vein. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease or condition by delivering the inflatable balloon to a particular body cavity.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for preventing distal embolisms during endovascular interventions. Representative devices are kits that include a first catheter comprising a proximal part and distal part having a principal through lumen, at least one lumen for filling at least one balloon, at least one inflated balloon that closes the lumen of the right or left carotid artery, and a proximal end configured to allow blood to flow through the principal lumen but to block the passage of emboli. The kits include a second catheter in the form of a single-lumen tube with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal and distal parts of the first catheter may have diameters that are sufficient to allow passage through the lumen of the second catheter and may be sufficiently long when combined to allow at least the distal part of the first catheter to extend beyond the limits of the distal end of the second catheter, when the first catheter passes through the second catheter.

Abstract: A oil treatment system, method and device are disclosed. An oil impregnated treatment pad is attachable to a carrier, with a heat pad attachable to the carrier, so as to deliver the treatment to a user with a heat source adjacent to the treatment pad.

Abstract: A two-part bioactive agent delivery system includes a disposable part, a reusable part, and a solvent removal element. The disposable part includes an agent reservoir, a transdermal patch communicating with the agent reservoir and adapted to transdermally deliver the bioactive agent to a user. The transdermal patch has a bottom surface adapted to contact skin of the user, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a gas permeable membrane disposed over the top surface of the transdermal patch. The reusable part includes a power source and control electronics that are adapted to deliver bioactive agent dissolved in a solvent from the agent reservoir to the transdermal patch. The solvent removal element includes a gap disposed between the disposable part and the reusable part to create a flow path for gaseous solvent to flow from the gas permeable membrane to ambient air around the bioactive agent delivery system.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing surgical procedures. In general, one or more adjuncts can be used in conjunction with surgical instruments. The adjunct(s) can have medicant(s) thereon and/or therein. The medicant(s) can vary depending on the desired effect of the medicant(s) on surrounding tissue. As a non-limiting example, medicant(s) can be provided to influence hemostasis, inflammation, macrophages, and/or fibroblasts. When used in conjunction with a surgical stapler, the adjunct(s) can be disposed between and/or on jaws of the stapler, incorporated into a staple cartridge disposed in the jaws, or otherwise placed in proximity to the staples. When staples are deployed, the adjunct(s) can remain at the treatment site with the staples.

Abstract: Drug delivery devices and methods are provided for delivering one or more drugs into a biological tissue. The devices include microneedles that may be separable from the drug delivery devices, control drug release rate and/or direction, or a combination thereof. When the microneedles are separable, a force applied to the drug delivery devices may be effective to penetrate a biological tissue with the microneedles and then to separate the microneedles from the drug delivery devices. The drug delivery devices may be capable of achieving discrete periods of drug release. Methods for delivery drug with microneedles also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a transdermal absorption sheet which makes it possible to manufacture a transdermal absorption sheet with a stable shape. The method for manufacturing a transdermal absorption sheet includes a step of forming a drug layer (110) on needle-like recess portions (42) of a mold (50) having the needle-like recess portions (42), a step of supplying a polymer layer forming solution (112) to the inside of a step portion (52) of the mold (50), a step of drying the polymer layer forming solution (112) so as to form a polymer layer (114) and a transdermal absorption sheet (120), and a step of peeling off the transdermal absorption sheet (120) from the mold (50).

Abstract: A method of providing therapeutic treatment by delivering therapeutic aptamers locally to a target site using microneedles includes providing complementary sequence modified microneedles by reacting a complementary sequence (CS) with a polymer thereby forming a covalent bond between the polymer and the CS, forming microneedle patches using an initial casting solution consisting of the polymer, the therapeutic aptamer, and a covalent bond between a complementary sequence (CS) and the polymer, thereby loading the therapeutic aptamer into the microneedles, each microneedle having a base, shaft and tip, physically binding the therapeutic aptamer to the CS, inserting the microneedles into the tissue such that the tips and shafts are embedded into the target site and the bases are on a surface of the target site, and sustained release of the aptamer to the target site due to dissociation of the aptamer from the CS over time.

Abstract: A method fluidly connects a male luer connector and a female luer connector. To that end, a housing having a first end and a second end is provided. The housing has a first opening nearer to the first end that is configured to receive the male luer connector. The housing also includes a second opening nearer to the second end that is configured to receive the female luer connector. The male luer connector is positioned into the first opening in a direction that is along a central axis of the housing. The female luer connector is positioned into the second opening in a direction that is transverse to a central axis of the housing. The method then advances the male luer connector into the opening of the female luer connector so as to form a fluid connection therebetween.

Abstract: Blood pump assemblies with blood outflow cage components designed to reduce stress on a patient's vasculature, reduce hemolysis and damage to blood, and improve manufacturability. The blood pump assembly includes a blood outflow cage designed to expel the blood from a distal end of a blood pump assembly. The openings in the blood outflow cage have edges, corners, and junctions that are rounded, and smoothly transition into a diffuser at the proximal end of the blood outflow cage. The struts of the blood outflow cage may further taper down in thickness as they transition into a thinner cylindrical section at the proximal end of the blood outflow cage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on a first position of the heart muscle following the heart's contractions. The implantable device comprising a first pump device adapted to assist the pump function of the heart. The pump device comprises a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a fluid connection adapted to fluidly connect said first reservoir with said second reservoir, such that fluid can flow between said first reservoir and said second reservoir.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for fast approximation of electric field distribution.

Abstract: A bladder urine volume monitoring system and a bladder urine volume monitoring method are provided. The bladder urine volume monitoring system includes at least one ultrasound patch, at least one muscle stimulation patch, and a control circuit. The ultrasound patch is configured to be attached to a surface of an organism to detect a urine volume in a bladder. The muscle stimulation patch is configured to be attached to the surface of the organism to stimulate a muscle of the bladder. The control circuit is coupled to the ultrasound patch and the muscle stimulation patch. The control circuit drives the ultrasound patch to detect the urine volume in the bladder in a first period. The control circuit drives the muscle stimulation patch to stimulate the muscle of the bladder in a second period.

Abstract: A sinus treatment device and methods of operating the sinus treatment device that include an enhanced conductive tip and at least one return electrode are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for posture correction comprises a backplate, at least two pressure point knobs affixed to the backplate, and a strap operably connected to the backplate. Mounting slots are formed in the backplate with mounting bars bisecting the mounting slots, the mounting slots and mounting bars forming a strap mounting point through which the strap can be threaded, and at least two pressure point mounting slots are formed on the backplate, wherein each of the at least two pressure point knobs can be mounted to the backplate via the at least two pressure point mounting slots.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a healthcare device using a smart garment comprises a conductive fabric coupled to an inner side of the smart garment and a main body detachably provided to the smart garment, the main body providing micro-current stimulation or low-frequency stimulation via the conductive fabric, and providing a measurement voltage via the conductive fabric to monitor a user's body fat.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, a medical system delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a tissue of the patient via electrodes. The medical system determines a first response of a first sensed signal of the patient to the electrical stimulation therapy and a second response of a second sensed signal of the patient to the electrical stimulation therapy. Based on the first response and the second response for controlling the electrical stimulation therapy, the medical system selects one of the first sensed signal and the second sensed signal of the patient. The medical system adjusts a level of at least one parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy based on the selected one of the first sensed signal and the second sensed signal.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting a cardiac signal from a spinal signal include measuring a spinal signal at one or more electrodes that are connected to a neurostimulator and implanted within a patient's spinal canal and processing the spinal signal to extract the cardiac signal, which includes features that are representative of the patient's cardiac activity. Processing the spinal signal to extract the cardiac signal can include filtering the spinal signal, or use of model reduction schemes such as independent component analysis. The extracted cardiac signal can include a number of features that correspond to an electrocardiogram and can be used to determine the patient's heart rate and/or to detect a cardiac anomaly. Cardiac features that are determined from the cardiac signal can additionally be used to adjust parameters of the stimulation that is provided by the neurostimulator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for treating pain, including a closed, electrically insulated booth having a door and a DC voltage generator for high voltages. The DC voltage generator is electrically connected to an electrode that projects inside the booth and can be grasped by a patient (P) present in the booth. The booth has a counter-electrode that runs substantially along the entire booth and that can be adjusted to a defined electric potential.

Abstract: A skin treatment device includes: an RF generator configured to generate an RF output; and an applicator being of a bipolar type and including an applicator body and needles, wherein the needles are arranged on a front surface of the applicator body, inserted into a dermal layer of the skin of a person to be treated and electrically connected to the RF generator to transmit the RF output, wherein, when the applicator is turned on, the applicator transmits a single or a plurality of RF pulses according to the RF output to the person to be treated, and the RF output is 5 W or more and 13 W or less, and a frequency of the RF output is greater than 1 MHz and less than 3 MHz, and a duration of the RF pulse according to the RF output is 50 ms or more and 100 ms or less.

Abstract: A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for providing pain relief to a patient. Recording circuitry may receive electrical signals corresponding to evoked compound action potentials in the patient that may be produced in response to external stimulation of a location where the patient is experiencing pain. The received electrical signals may be stored in a memory. Internal stimulation may then be applied to the patient and control circuitry may receive electrical signals corresponding to evoked compound action potentials in the patient that may be produced in response to the internal stimulation. The control circuitry may then adjust electrical parameters of the internal stimulation, such as to reduce a difference between the electrical signals corresponding to evoked compound action potentials produced in response to the internal stimulation and electrical signals corresponding to evoked compound action potentials produced in response to the external stimulation.

Abstract: A method for deriving information for setting a fitting parameter of a cochlear implant, wherein the cochlear implant includes an electrode array having a plurality of stimulating electrode contacts. The method includes modelling an interface between an electrode contact of the electrode array and a cochlear tissue as a corresponding electrical circuit comprising a resistive component representative of Faradaic resistance at the interface; determining at least an impedance value corresponding to the resistive component; obtaining an indication of a value of a fitting parameter for the electrode contact by mapping the determined impedance value to a mathematical model relating the fitting parameter to the impedance.

Abstract: Methods for electrical modulation of inflammation or serum TNF levels in a subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating the determining and setting of stimulation parameters for programming an electrical stimulation system are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods use algorithms to identify patient-specific metrics to use as feedback variables for optimizing stimulation parameters for a patient. The patient-specific metric(s) are determined by ranking a plurality of clinical indicators for the patient with and without the presence of a medical intervention to determine which clinical indicators respond most strongly to the medical intervention. The clinical indicators that respond most strongly can be used as the patient-specific metric for optimizing stimulation, or a composite patient-specific metric may be derived as a mathematical combination of a plurality of clinical indicators that respond well to the intervention.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for neurostimulation using a combination of implantable and external devices to treat pain are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for managing electrical stimulation therapy and/or sensing of physiological signals such as brain signals. For example, a system may assist a clinician in identifying one or more electrode combinations for sensing a brain signal. In another example, a user interface may display brain signal information and values of a stimulation parameter at least partially defining electrical stimulation delivered to a patient when the brain signal information was sensed.

Abstract: An Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) is disclosed that is capable of sensing a degree to which recruited neurons in a patient's tissue are firing synchronously, and of modifying a stimulation program to promote desynchronicity and to reduce paresthesia. An evoked compound action potential (ECAP) of the recruited neurons is sensed as a measure of synchronicity by at least one non-active electrode. An ECAP algorithm operable in the IPG assesses the shape of the ECAP and determines one or more ECAP shape parameters that indicate whether the recruited neurons are firing synchronously or desynchronously. If the shape parameters indicate significant synchronicity, the ECAP algorithm can adjust the stimulation program to promote desynchronous firing.

Abstract: A medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to determine whether or not a data collection activity should be commenced, wherein the data is physiological data associated with a recipient of the medical device. In an exemplary embodiment, the medical device can be a prosthesis, such as an implanted prosthesis, and in other embodiments, the medical device is different from a prosthesis.

Abstract: In some examples, a battery assembly for an implantable medical device. The assembly includes a housing, an electrode stack comprising a plurality of electrode plates disposed inside the housing, and an intermediate member configured to align the electrode stack at a fixed position within the housing, the intermediate member comprising a plurality of side walls, and at least one protrusion disposed on an exterior surface of the side walls, wherein the at least one protrusion is in thermal contact with an interior surface of the housing.

Abstract: Thermo-electric generator which is intended to be immersed in a fluid which contains at least one chemical species, comprising two electrodes each having a first end and a second end, the first ends being connected to each other, the generator being configured to generate an electrical voltage between the two ends when a temperature difference is imposed between each first end and the corresponding second end, the temperature difference being such that one end, referred to as the “hot end”, of each electrode has a temperature which is strictly greater than the temperature of the other end. The hot end of at least one electrode comprises a micro-organism or an enzyme which is capable of causing at least one exothermic reaction involving the chemical species.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for controlling charging power transmitted to an implantable medical device during a recharging process based on patient activity are disclosed. Various example techniques include a method comprising receiving, by processing circuitry, an activity signal generated by an implantable medical device and indicative of an activity level of a patient during charging of a rechargeable power source of the implantable medical device implanted in the patient, determining, by the processing circuitry and based on the activity signal, a patient status for the patient during charging of the rechargeable power source, and controlling, by the processing circuitry and based on the patient status, charging of the rechargeable power source of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for managing electrical stimulation therapy and/or sensing of physiological signals such as brain signals. For example, a system may assist a clinician in identifying one or more electrode combinations for sensing a brain signal. In another example, a user interface may display brain signal information and values of a stimulation parameter at least partially defining electrical stimulation delivered to a patient when the brain signal information was sensed.

Abstract: An external defibrillator system is configured with at least two different algorithms for determining the duration of a shock administered to a patient being treated and selects the algorithm based on one or more patient parameters such as, for example, the patient's TTI. The patient's TTI can be measured prior to or while the shock is being administered to the patient. The shock can be, for example, a multiphasic defibrillation or a multiphasic cardioversion shock. The charge voltage of the system's energy storage device can additionally be varied depending on the one or more patient parameters. For example, the system may charge the energy storage device so that the charge voltage is higher or lower than a nominal charge voltage responsive to the patient's TTI is higher or lower compared to an average TTI, respectively.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), senses R-waves from a first cardiac electrical signal by a first sensing channel and stores a time segment of a second cardiac electrical signal acquired by a second sensing channel in response to each sensed R-wave. The ICD determines morphology match scores from the stored time segments of the second cardiac electrical signal and, based on the morphology match scores, withholds detection of a tachyarrhythmia episode. In some examples, the ICD detects T-wave oversensing based on the morphology match scores and withholds detection of a tachyarrhythmia episode in response to detecting the T-wave oversensing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing temperatures induces my alternating electric fields by selectively activating/deactivating electrodes of a pair of transducer arrays according to defined parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus including a housing, an insertion unit provided on one side of the housing and formed to be inserted into a tissue through a tissue surface, and a cooling unit cooling the one side of the insertion unit within the housing to prevent thermal damage to the tissue touched when the insertion unit heated during a treatment time is drawn out from or inserted into the tissue, and a method of controlling the same and a treatment method. According to the present invention have effects in that they can prevent a problem in that unnecessary damage to a tissue occurs while maintaining a treatment effect of the skin because the heated end of the insertion unit is cooled and moved.

Abstract: A cold plasma device generates cold plasma to treat an area of a biological surface. The device includes an array of cold plasma generators associated with a substrate. Each of the cold plasma generators has an electrode and a dielectric barrier. The dielectric barrier has a first side that faces the electrode and a second side that faces away from the electrode. A controller is operably coupled to the array of cold plasma generators and is programmed to control each of the cold plasma generators to generate a plasma dose.

Abstract: A method for a method for treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with cold atmospheric plasma and Folfirinox. The method includes treating a patient having CCA with a low dosage FOLFIRINOX regimen, for example, 6.73 nM, giving the patient the low-dosage FOLFIRINOX regimen pre-operatively, surgically removing the cancerous tumor from the patient, continuing the low-dosage FOLFIRINOX treatment regimen intra-operatively, applying cold atmospheric plasma to the surgical margins surrounding the area in the patient from which the tumor was removed, and continuing the FOLFIRINOX post-operatively.