Peripheral sensory neuropathy can be detected and quantified more accurately and objectively using a device for generating sensory stimuli in the form of vibration, comprising a vibration generator, at least one contacting element for contacting skin or tissue of a patient to transfer sensory stimuli from said vibration generator, and at least one regulating unit for regulating a parameter of said vibration, wherein the device comprises a sound generator, generating a sound which masks, attenuates or actively cancels the sound of the vibration generator. The device may further comprise a tissue support element to spatially isolate a point of contact between the tissue of the patient and the contacting element of the device, and optionally an element for controlling the pressure by which a contacting element is applied to skin or tissue of a patient. The device may also comprise at least two temperature surfaces for contacting skin or tissue of a patient and a regulating unit whereby the temperature difference between said at least two temperature surfaces can be regulated.

Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.

A method of surgically positioning an electrode array at a desired implantation location relative to a nerve. A temporary probe electrode is temporarily positioned adjacent to the nerve and at a location which is caudorostrally separate to the desired implantation location of the electrode array. The implanted position of the probe electrode is temporarily fixed relative to the nerve. During implantation of the electrode array, electrical stimuli are applied from one of the temporarily fixed probe electrode and the electrode array, to evoke compound action potentials on the nerve. Compound action potentials evoked by the stimuli are sensed from at least one electrode of the other of the temporarily fixed probe electrode and the electrode array. From the sensed compound action potentials a position of the electrode array relative to the nerve is determined.

A method of locating a nerve within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject includes providing a first electrical stimulus at a first location within the intracorporeal treatment area, providing a second electrical stimulus at a second location within the intracorporeal treatment area, and providing one or more additional electrical stimuli at the second location. The first electrical stimulus does not induce a threshold response of a muscle innervated by the nerve, whereas the second electrical stimulus does induce a response of the muscle. The one or more additional stimuli each have a current magnitude less than the first stimulus and are used to determine a minimum current magnitude that is required to induce the threshold response of the muscle at the second location. This minimum current magnitude is then used to determine a distance from the second location to the nerve.

A biological information measuring apparatus includes a biomagnetism detector configured to detect biomagnetism of a subject, the biomagnetism detector including a temperature adjustment mechanism; and a radiation detector configured to acquire emitted radiation as digital image data. The radiation detector is disposed between a measurement region of the subject and the biomagnetism detector.

A system and method for treating neural lesions is disclosed. The inventive method comprises determining the location of a neural lesion in a patient and applying a selected modality to a dermatomal region on the patient to compensate for the existence of the neural lesion. The selected modality includes the implementation of a method or device to activate any number of receptors located in the skin of the patient. The modality implemented in the correct dermatomal region initiates a somatosensory signal to the brain which responds with a corresponding motor signal to the affected area. Proper implementation of the selected modality supports neuroplasticity and neurogenesis to create a permanent solution to overcome the neural lesion.

A nerve mapping system includes an elongate medical device, a non-invasive mechanical sensor, and a processor. The elongate medical device includes a distal end portion configured to explore an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject, and the distal end portion includes an electrode. The non-invasive mechanical sensor is configured to provide a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a monitored mechanical response of a muscle innervated by the nerve. The processor is in communication with the electrode and the sensor, and is configured to provide a plurality of electrical stimuli to the electrode. Each of the plurality of stimuli is provided when the electrode is located at a different position within the intracorporeal treatment area. The processor determines the likelihood of a nerve existing at a particular point using the magnitudes of each of the stimuli and the detected response of the muscle.

Systems, devices, and methods for using vagus nerve stimulation to treat demyelination disorders and/or disorder of the blood brain barrier are described. The vagus nerve stimulation therapy described herein is configured to reduce or prevent demyelination and/or promote remyelination to treat various disorders related to demyelination, such as multiple sclerosis. A low duty cycle stimulation protocol with a relatively short on-time and a relatively long off-time can be used.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the detection of a neuropathy such as a periopertive neuropathy. In one embodiment, a wristband comprising a plurality of anodes and cathodes is used. The wristband can be a component in a electrode array that includes a plurality of reference or recording electrodes. The electrode array can be configured to stimulate and collect responsive signals from an ulnar, a median, radial and posterior tibial nerve. The simulation and signal collection can be performed on a continuous basis for time periods of interest such as a given perioperative time period using a monitoring device.

A treatment device includes a body and a generator configured to releasably attach to the body. The generator at least partially including a first energy generator element and a second energy generator element, the first and second energy generator elements being independently operable to convert electricity into a first energy type and a second energy type, respectively, and to direct the first and second energy types toward an area of skin. The first energy generator element includes a drive mechanism, a piston, and a tissue contact surface that is linearly actuatable along an axis to contact and cause corresponding physical movement of the area of skin.