A method and device for detecting phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) in, or using, a cardiac medical device. A test signal sensitive to contraction of a diaphragm of a patient may be sensed and signal artifacts of the test signal within each of a first window of the test signal prior to a predetermined cardiac signal and a second window of the test signal subsequent to the predetermined cardiac signal may be determined. The PNS beat criteria may be evaluated, for example, using the test signal, which may be a heart sounds signal.

An apparatus (1) is configured to perform a test procedure for measuring vibrotactile perception of a human subject. The apparatus (1) comprises a vibration probe (5) with an end portion (5A) arranged for engagement by a body part (100), a contactless temperature sensor (13) arranged to face the body part (100) when engaged with the end portion (5 A), and a force sensor (7) coupled to the vibration probe (5). A control unit (10) prepares for the test procedure by computing, as a function of a first output signal (T.sub.IR) of the contactless temperature sensor (13) and/or a second output signal (f) of the force sensor (7), one or more characteristic parameters indicative of presence or absence of the body part (100). When presence of the body part (100) is indicated by the one or more characteristic parameters, the control unit (10) sets a current temperature of the body part (100) to a current temperature value given by the first output signal (T.sub.IR).

A peripheral nerve conduction diagnosis system that utilizes an electrostimulation device having dry elastomer electrodes and a distance measuring device that allow a user to move the electrostimulation device along the skin of a patient while in constant contact with the skin and measure the distance moved.

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.

Disclosed includes a body surface device for diagnosing locations associated with electrical rhythm disorders to guide therapy. The device can sense electrical signals and determine multiple sites that may be operative in that patient. The patch may encompass the heart regions from where the heart rhythm disorder originates. The patch comprises an array of electrodes configured to detect electrical signals generated by a heart. A controller may determine the locations of interest based on detected electrical signals. The controller is configured to locate these regions relative to the surface patch. The system may be coupled to a sensor or therapy device inside the heart, to guide this device to a region of interest. The controller is further configured to instruct the operator to use the trigger or source information to treat the heart rhythm disorder in an individual using additional clinical data and methods for personalization such as machine learning.

Systems and methods of generating and applying a synthetic neuromodulatory signal are described. A subject may be put under a particular condition that causes an effect in the subject. While the subject is under the condition, a recording of neurogram signals derived from the condition can be made from the subject. For example, neuronal signals traveling on the vagus nerve of the subject may be monitored and recorded. The neurogram may then be used to create a synthetic neuromodulatory signal that can be administered to a user. When the synthetic neuromodulatory signal is administered to the user, the user may experience the same effect as the subject that had been placed in the condition, even though the user was never put under the same condition.

Numerous aspects of communication devices, methods, and systems are described in this application. One aspect is a system comprising a body having a skin facing surface and an opposing surface and an energy generator operably coupled to the body and comprising a plurality of generator elements operable to output a plurality of different energy types in a signal direction toward skin. Each generator element of the plurality of generator elements may be independently operable to output one energy type of the plurality of different energy types in the signal direction. When the skin facing surface of the body is positioned relative to the skin, the energy generator may affect tissues associated with or adjacent to the skin by causing one or more generator elements of the plurality of generator elements to output an energy signal in the signal direction with one or more different energy types.

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.

Provided are devices and methods for preventing an episode of incontinence in an individual in need thereof. The devices comprise a sensor and a stimulator electrode that can be implanted into the body of the individual. Once the device is implanted in the individual, the sensor of the device senses a parameter that is associated with a response from the individual that is intended to prevent an episode of incontinence. Then, the device provides an electrical stimulation using the electrode that, together with the response, helps to prevent the episode of incontinence.

A method for determining a desired location at which to apply a neural therapy. An array of electrodes is positioned proximal to neural tissue. A stimulus is applied from the array which evokes a neural compound action potential response in the neural tissue proximal to the array. A plurality of electrodes of the array simultaneously obtain respective measurements of the neural compound action potential response. From the measurements of the neural compound action potential response a desired location for a neural therapy is determined.