Abstract: A current management system for use in the stimulation output stage of a neurostimulation system can be programmed to steer different amounts of current through different stimulation electrodes to vary how strongly the tissue adjacent each electrode is stimulated during a particular programmed stimulation episode. An stimulation electrode drive circuit associated with each electrode that is available for stimulation allows independent control of the flow of current through that electrode. A reference electrode is provided in the circuit to source or sink current as necessary to balance the currents going into and out of the patient, so that no stimulation electrode is required to serve that purpose. More specifically, by configuring the circuit to maintain a constant potential at the reference electrode (e.g.

Abstract: Electric field delivery and ablation of target tissue regions, including cancerous cells and solid tumors. Methods and systems include delivering an electric field to a target tissue, and may include positioning a first electrode or plurality to at least partially define a first treatment volume in the target tissue; positioning a second electrode or plurality to at least partially define a second treatment volume, the first volume is disposed in the second volume; and establishing a first current flow extending through the first volume and a second current flow extending through the second volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deep brain electrode placement and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment of conditions such as obesity are disclosed. In one example approach, during placement of a deep brain stimulating electrode in a target region of the brain of a patient, a temperature of brown adipose tissue (BAT) may be monitored, e.g., via a supraclavicular temperature sensor implanted in the patient, and used to identify an optimal location of electrode stimulation which causes an increase in BAT temperature. Additionally, BAT temperature measurements may be used to provide regulated closed-loop control to increase efficiency of DBS while reducing energy consumption of the pulse generator. Further, core temperature measurements may be obtained from the electrode in the brain and used to adjust DBS.

Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacing system includes first and second leadless pacing seeds configured to deliver pacing therapy to a first and second location in a patient, respectively. The second seed includes an electrode, a therapy circuit configured to provide electrostimulation energy to the electrode, a communications component, and a power source. The second seed also includes a power manager configured to detect an end-of-life condition associated with the seed and, in response to detecting the end-of-life condition, to communicate a signal that causes the first seed to change from a first operational state to a second operational state, in which the first seed implements one or more operational parameters configured to adapt to a change in an output from the second seed resulting from the second seed entering the end-of-life condition.

Abstract: A housing for an electrostimulation device comprising a charger plug and a stimulation plug, designed to receive respectively a connector linked to a charger and a connector linked to a stimulation electrode, characterized in that it comprises a mobile locking element designed to alternately lock the charger plug or the stimulation plug.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method to deliver direct ionic current safely to target neural tissue, while also eliminating interruptions in the output of the device that can result from the non-ideal operation of the valves used to control the current flow in the device. The device includes two valve-operated systems that work in tandem. The first and second current producing systems are configured to be used together in order to eliminate the periodic interruptions in current flow. In use, one system drives current through the target tissue, while the other system closes all of the valves first and then opens its valves in sequence. This intermediate step of closing all of the valves prevents unintended current shunts through either system. The device also includes two conductors to direct the flow of direct current into the target tissue.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method, comprising performing a neural stimulation test routine for stimulating a neural target in a cervical region of a patient, wherein for each of a plurality of head positions, performing the neural stimulation test routine includes testing a plurality of electrode configurations. The method further comprises recording threshold data for each of the tested electrode configurations for the plurality of head positions, and recommending an electrode configuration based on the recorded threshold data.

Abstract: A method for heart treatment includes analyzing the cardiac rhythm. The method further includes utilizing a generator to produce discharges (Si) of N pulses (I) of VNS stimulation in succession. The discharge may be synchronized to a detected R ventricular depolarization wave of each cardiac cycle. The method further includes controlling a stochastic modulation of the discharges control of the delivery of each VNS pulse of each discharge by selective inhibition or not of the generation of these VNS pulses. The number of pulses of each discharge thus randomly varies, and thus varies the VNS stimulation energy of this discharge, which is artificially induced, cycle-to-cycle variability in the RR interval. This stochastic therapy is applied if the spontaneous heart rate variability falls below a minimum level.

Abstract: This device comprises a generator producing bursts (Si) of N pulses (I) of VNS stimulation generated in succession during respective periods of activity (TON) separated by intermediate periods of inactivity (TOFF) during which no stimulation is issued. Stochastic modulation circuitry controls the delivery of the bursts of each of the N pulses of each VNS burst by selective inhibition or not, of the generation of each of the VNS pulses depending on the result of a respective randomization. The number of VNS pulses of each burst is thus randomly varying, and thus the VNS stimulation energy of this burst and the interval between successive pulses, which counteract the appearance of a physiological compensation loop.

Abstract: A device for delivering light and ultrasound across a skin surface is provided. The device has a layered structure comprising a light source and an ultrasonic transducer. The light source comprises a flexible light emitter layer electrically coupled to a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein at least one of the first and second conductive layers is transparent. The ultrasonic transducer comprises a flexible ultrasound emitter layer electrically coupled to a third conductive layer and a fourth conductive layer. In one embodiment, the light source comprises an organic light emitting diode or a plurality of printed light emitting diodes and the ultrasonic transducer comprises a piezoelectric coating. The device may be provided with a therapeutic or cosmetic composition to be applied to the skin surface, wherein the light and ultrasound emitted from the device cause transdermal transport of the composition through the skin surface.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices, implantable medical device systems that include such implantable medical devices, and implantable medical device batteries, as well as methods of making. Such devices can include a battery of relatively small volume but of relatively high power (reported as therapeutic power) and relatively high capacity (reported as capacity density).

Abstract: Electrical current and/or conductivity in an electrical current channel varies in response to spatiotemporal magnetic flux pattern and/or to variation in electromotive force (EMF). For example, a channel with time-varying electrical conductivity can have induced electrical current variation due to flux pattern resulting from electrical current in another channel or set of channels; the current variation can increase magnetic flux density. The electrical currents can be transient electrical currents, and can cascade to amplify a resulting electromagnetic waveform. A channel can include the channel of a zener or zener-like diode or of a transistor, as well as an extended conductive channel. Channels can be configured in electrical current loops and in various orientations and combinations to obtain current and/or conductivity variation. A transient electrical current can be triggered in a channel, e.g.

Abstract: Recent advancements in power electronics technology have provided opportunities for enhancements to circuits of implantable medical devices. The enhancements have contributed to increasing circuit miniaturization and an increased efficiency in the operation of the implantable medical devices. The therapy delivery circuits and techniques of the disclosure facilitate generation of a therapy stimulation waveform that may be shaped based on the patient's physiological response to the stimulation waveform. The generated therapy stimulation waveforms include a stepped leading-edge that may be shaped having a varying slope and varying amplitudes associated with each of the segments of the slope. Unlike the truncated exponential waveform delivered by the conventional therapy delivery circuit which is based on the behavior of the output capacitors (i.e., i=C(dV/dt)), the stimulation waveform of the present disclosure may be dynamically shaped as a function of an individual patient's response.

Abstract: A method of treating motor deficits in a stroke patient, comprising assessing a patient's motor deficits, determining therapeutic goals for the patient, based on the patient's motor deficits, selecting therapeutic tasks based on the therapeutic goals, performing each of the selected therapeutic tasks repetitively, observing the performance of the therapeutic tasks, initiating the stimulation of the vagus nerve manually at approximately a predetermined moment during the performance of the therapeutic tasks, stimulating the vagus nerve of the patient during the performance of the selected therapeutic tasks, and improving the patient's motor deficits.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system and method is provided for providing communications between first and second implantable medical devices (IMDs). The system comprises a first implantable medical device (IMD) configured to transmit a first event message during or preceding a first cardiac cycle, and a second IMD configured to receive the first event message, wherein receipt of the first event message configures the second IMD to generate pacing pulses for only a predetermined number (“n”) of consecutive cardiac cycles, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems used for the treatment of mood, anxiety, cognitive, and behavioral disorders (collectively, neuropsychiatric disorders) via stimulation of the superficial elements of the trigeminal nerve (“TNS”). More specifically, minimally invasive systems, devices and methods of stimulation of the superficial branches of the trigeminal nerve located extracranially in the face, namely the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, nasal and mentalis nerves (also referred to collectively as the superficial trigeminal nerve) are disclosed herein.

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

Abstract: A method of treating motor deficits in a stroke patient, comprising assessing a patient's motor deficits, determining therapeutic goals for the patient, based on the patient's motor deficits, selecting therapeutic tasks based on the therapeutic goals, performing each of the selected therapeutic tasks repetitively, observing the performance of the therapeutic tasks, initiating the stimulation of the vagus nerve manually at approximately a predetermined moment during the performance of the therapeutic tasks, stimulating the vagus nerve of the patient during the performance of the selected therapeutic tasks, and improving the patient's motor deficits.

Abstract: A rehabilitation system that assists an action of a paretic arm due to brain damage, such as a stroke, includes: a detecting unit configured to detect an assist action that a healthy arm assists the paretic arm; an assist unit configured to cause the paretic arm to carry out bending and stretching actions; an adjustment unit configured to adjust an operation timing, operation speed, bending load or stretching load of the assist unit in response to detection of the assist action by the detecting unit; and a control unit configured to cause the assist unit to operate in accordance with the operation timing, operation speed, bending load or stretching load, adjusted by the adjustment unit.

Abstract: A bioelectronic medical method and system for rapidly destroying living cancer cells and the tumors they create including metastatic off-spring of such tumor(s) regardless of their location within a human or animal body. Calcium ions can be inserted into a nucleus of a cancer cell(s). The nucleus of the cancer cell(s) is then fragmented among many cancer cells (e.g., in a tumor) simultaneously with the transmission of a destructive analog electrically encoded signals to provide a medical cancer treatment thereof. A first target of medical cancer treatment is aimed principally into the nucleus and mitochondrion bodies of a malignancy associated with the cancer cell(s).

Abstract: A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include electrodes coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A method of treating motor deficits in a stroke patient, comprising assessing a patient's motor deficits, determining therapeutic goals for the patient, based on the patient's motor deficits, selecting therapeutic tasks based on the therapeutic goals, performing each of the selected therapeutic tasks repetitively, observing the performance of the therapeutic tasks, initiating the stimulation of the vagus nerve manually at approximately a predetermined moment during the performance of the therapeutic tasks, stimulating the vagus nerve of the patient during the performance of the selected therapeutic tasks, and improving the patient's motor deficits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for anchoring an implanted elongate medical device in a body portal, for example, a stimulation lead in a cranial burr hole, employ a securing element attached to an upper surface of a plate member, and moveable relative thereto, from an open position, at which the device may be inserted into a slot of the plate member, and a closed position, at which an engagement surface of the securing element anchors the inserted device. The securing element may extend at angle, with respect to a plane of the plate member, in the open position, and rotating the securing element lifts the engagement surface into the closed position. A locking member preferably extends from an upper surface of the plate member, and, when a latching portion of the securing element moves into engagement with the locking member, the element is moved into the closed position and secured thereat.

Abstract: An electromedical implantable or externally applicable device allows healing processes to be excited in diseased organs. The device comprises a programmable generator and receiver unit (3) which generates and receives electrical microcurrents and electromagnetic power and is connected in a conducting manner to electrodes (4, 5), a telemetry unit (6) that is integrated into the generator and receiver unit (3) and is provided with a transmitter and a receiver for exchanging data with extracorporeal devices, and a power supply unit (7).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation.

Abstract: A swallowing assist device for assisting swallowing includes a respiration detection part, an application unit, and a control part. The respiration detection part detects respiration. The application unit is attached to a target section to apply a stimulus for facilitation of swallowing. The control part controls the application unit. The control part controls the application unit to start application of the stimulus to the target section during an expiration period detected according to a detection signal from the respiration detection part, and terminate the application of the stimulus to the target section during the expiration period.

Abstract: An aspect relates to a system for providing baroreflex stimulation. An embodiment of the system comprises a heart rate monitor to sense a heart rate and provide a signal indicative of the heart rate, and a baroreflex stimulator. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to intermittently generate a stimulation signal to provide baroreflex stimulation for a baroreflex therapy, and further includes a modulator to adjust the stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the heart rate such that the stimulation signal provides a desired baroreflex stimulation corresponding to a desired heart rate.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an indication of delivery of a neural stimulation therapy is disclosed. In an example, a method may include identifying current timing of an intermittent neural stimulation (INS) programmed in an implantable medical device (IMD) where the programmed INS includes alternating stimulation ON and stimulation OFF times and a timing for delivering stimulation bursts of a plurality of stimulation pulses during the stimulation burst ON times. An indication of the current timing of the INS may be provided using an INS indicator of an external device.

Abstract: A leadless implantable medical device comprises a first electrode configured to deliver electrical pacing energy, a second electrode configured to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity, and a third electrode configurable to both deliver electrical pacing energy and sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. The first and third electrodes are used for delivering electrical pacing energy and the second and third electrodes are used to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. None of the first, second and third electrodes are incorporated into a lead.

Abstract: An external control device for use with a medical component implanted within a patient. The device comprises a user interface configured for receiving user input, displaying a first graphical representation of the medical component in the context of a global graphical representation of an anatomical region of the patient, displaying a view finder defining a portion of the global graphical representation, and displaying a second graphical representation of the medical component in the context of a local graphical representation of the portion of the anatomical region portion. The external control device further comprises control circuitry configured for, in response to the input from the user, modifying the displayed view finder to spatially define a different portion of the global graphical representation, such that the second graphical representation of the medical component is displayed in the context of a local graphical representation of the different portion of the anatomical region.

Abstract: An electrotherapeutic treatment system includes a portion of at least one skin or external contact element including an element for measurement of the bioreactance of biologically active neurological points (BANP) of a tissue or organ to be treated, monitoring of electromagnetic parameters received at the points and generating responsive corrective parameters; and a portion of a second electrode for neurologically transmitting bioreactive parameters proximally to a BANP of tissues or organs to be treated, the parameters modifying discrete reactive values responsive to those measured by each of the first or second electrodes responsive to abnormal parameters received from tissues or organs to be treated at or between the BANP.

Abstract: A method of establishing a stimulation treatment protocol includes delivering electrical stimulation to a nerve site of the patient. The electrical stimulation is delivered using a stimulation configuration with respect to one or more of the following: activation of a subset of a plurality of electrodes on a lead, electrode polarity for the activated electrodes, stimulation pulse width, and stimulation pulse amplitude. An action potential evoked from the nerve site in response to the electrical stimulation is measured. The action potential includes a sensory fiber contribution and a motor fiber contribution. Both the sensory fiber contribution and the motor fiber contribution are measured. The delivering and the measuring are repeated for a plurality of cycles. Each cycle is performed using a different stimulation configuration.

Abstract: A picafina device for electrical stimulation and electrical measurements of neural and muscular cells, which is capable of electrical measurements of cells in the neighborhood of the picafina device and also of electrical stimulation at different voltages and current levels.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing system comprising one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers configured for implantation in electrical contact with a cardiac chamber and configured to perform cardiac pacing functions in combination with a co-implanted implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The leadless cardiac pacemaker comprises at least two leadless electrodes configured for delivering cardiac pacing pulses, sensing evoked and/or natural cardiac electrical signals, and bidirectionally communicating with the co-implanted ICD.

Abstract: A device worn by a human performing a method using accelerometer data to classify human activities is disclosed. The method uses memory and computation efficiently. A stream of samples is divided into a sequence of sampling periods; each sample has an acceleration value for each axis (e.g., a 3-D accelerometer). Standard deviation of the values for each axis during each sampling period are calculated. A running sum of each axis' values can be maintained sample-by-sample. Each value is sorted into a bin of a histogram, by quantifying a deviance from a respective mean in standard deviations. A standard deviation produced from samples of a previous period can be used. The histogram is compared with histograms associated with particular activities and a classification output can be produced. Classification outputs from multiple sampling periods can be used for voting. A threshold amount of activity can be required to begin activity classification.

Abstract: A posture correction apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain information related to a muscle condition in a body, a determination unit configured to determine muscle stimulation to be provided to the body, based on the obtained information, and a stimulation unit configured to provide the determined muscle stimulation to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for tuning treatment parameters in movement disorder therapy systems. The present invention further relates to a system for screening patients to determine if they are viable candidates for certain therapy modalities. The present invention still further provides methods of quantifying movement disorders for the treatment of patients who exhibit symptoms of such movement disorders including, but not limited to, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism, Dystonia, Chorea, and Huntington's disease, Ataxia, Tremor and Essential Tremor, Tourette Syndrome, and the like. The present invention yet further relates to methods of tuning a therapy device using objective quantified movement disorder symptom data acquired by a movement disorder diagnostic device to allow a clinician, technician or physician to determine the therapy setting or parameters to be provided to the subject via his or her therapy device.

Abstract: A patch for a therapeutic electrical stimulation device includes a shoe connected to the first side of the patch, the shoe including a body extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, and having first and second surfaces, the first end of the shoe defining at least two ports, and the first surface of the shoe defining a connection member. The patch also includes at least one conductor positioned in the ports of the first end of the shoe. The shoe is configured for sliding insertion into a receptacle defined by a controller so that the conductor is connected to the controller to deliver electrical current from the controller, through the conductor, and to the electrodes, and the connection member is at least partially captured by a detent defined by the controller in the receptacle to retain the shoe within the receptacle.

Abstract: To protect an airway of a patient, it is important for the patient to be able to swallow and cough effectively. To promote an effective cough or swallow, electrodes are positioned upon skin of the neck of the patient, the electrodes configured for both capturing electromyographic (EMG) information, and for transmitting a stimulating electrical signal to the body. A microphone is positioned upon or near the neck to capture audio information emanating from the body of the patient. Software analyzes the EMG and audio information to identify an attempted or needed cough or swallow, and causes the electrodes to apply an electrical stimulus to the neck of the patient to produce a more efficacious cough or swallow. An additional microphone can be positioned to capture ambient noise, so that such noise can be reduced in the audio information of the first microphone.

Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.

Abstract: A method for treating a human subject having unilateral vocal cord paralysis includes providing a stimulating electrode configured to directly contact a recurrent laryngeal nerve or vagus nerve of the subjects, sensing electrical activity of a synkinetically reinnervated dysfunctional muscle of the subject, generating at least one stimulation parameter, using a processor, based on the sensed electrical activity, and stimulating the recurrent laryngeal nerve or vagus nerve, using the stimulating electrode, based on the at least one stimulation parameter. A system is also provided.

Abstract: A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure comprising the entirety or portion of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” The neurological control system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through one or more neuromodulators, comprising intracranial (IC) and peripheral stimulating electrodes and other actuators, in accordance with treatment parameters. The neurological control system may directly or indirectly control a portion of the autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Such treatment parameters may be derived from a neural or physiological response to previously delivered neural modulation signals sensed by one or more sensors, each configured to sense a particular characteristic indicative of a neurological or psychiatric condition.

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

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

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject. The internal optical power transmitter includes a power source configured to provide electrical energy and an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source. The electrical-optical converter may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject. The system further includes an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals and at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals. Embodiments of methods, biocompatible electrical-optical converters, and internal optical power transmitters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stimulating tissue employing local current imbalance to facilitate more effective stimulation regimens.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject. The internal optical power transmitter includes a power source configured to provide electrical energy and an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source. The electrical-optical converter may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject. The system further includes an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals and at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals. Embodiments of methods, biocompatible electrical-optical converters, and internal optical power transmitters are also disclosed.