ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

An exemplary wearable sensor unit includes 1) a magnetometer comprising a vapor cell comprising an input window and containing an alkali metal, and a light source configured to output light that passes through the input window and into the vapor cell along a transit path, and 2) a temperature control circuit external to the vapor cell and configured to create a temperature gradient within the vapor cell, the temperature gradient configured to concentrate the alkali metal within the vapor cell away from the transit path of the light.

A system for interfacing an in-body medical device with an external network includes a subdermal wideband on-body network (WON) hub, which in turn includes a hub rechargeable battery, a hub processor coupled to the hub rechargeable battery, a device interface configured to communicate with the in-body medical device, and coupled to the hub processor, and a hub-satellite near field communications wireless interface coupled to the hub processor. The system also includes a wearable WON server that in turn includes a server processor, a server-satellite interface coupled to the server processor, and an external network interface coupled to the server processor. The server processor implements a software controller; and a skin-mountable WON tethered satellite that includes a wired satellite-server interface, coupled to the wearable WON server, and a tethered satellite near-field communications (NFC) wireless interface, configured to communicate with the hub-satellite NFC wireless interface, and coupled to the wired satellite-server interface.

A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. Compliance with Head-of-Bed protocols can also be performed based on actual patient position instead of being inferred from bed elevation angle. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose.

A brush electrode includes an electrode base that is connectable to an external device that is configured to generate an electrical signal or receive an electrical signal. A plurality of strand electrodes extend outward from the electrode base. A distal end of each strand electrode is configured to contact a skin surface. The strand electrodes are configured to hold an electrolyte to facilitate ionic conduction of the electrical signal to or from the skin surface.

An apparatus configured for application to a surface of a body, the apparatus comprising: an array of mechanomyography sensors spatially distributed across a substrate, each mechanomyography sensor configured to detect mechanomyography signals from the body to which the apparatus is applied; and a pressure bias system configured to provide a variation in contact pressure of the mechanomyography sensors to the body surface to receive mechanomyography signals at different levels of applied contact pressure.

A magnetometer system for medical use comprises one or more induction coils for detecting a time varying magnetic field. Each coil has a maximum outer diameter of 10 cm or less, and a configuration such that the ratio of the coil's length to its outer diameter is 0.9 or more, and the ratio of the coil's inner diameter to its outer diameter is 0.6 or more. Each induction coil comprises a magnetic core. The magnetometer system further comprises a detection circuit coupled to each coil and configured to convert a current or voltage generated in the coil by a time varying magnetic field to an output signal for use to analyse the time varying magnetic field.

A patient support apparatus comprises a plurality of load cells, a frame supported on the load cells, a mattress, a plurality of air pressure sensors, and a control system. The mattress includes a plurality of inflatable zones positioned on the frame, the mattress and frame cooperating to direct any patient load through the mattress and frame to the load cells. Each of the plurality of air pressure sensors measures the pressure in a respective inflatable zone of the mattress. The control system includes a controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the plurality of load cells and each of the plurality of air pressure sensors and process the signals to identify motion of the patient. The motion of the patient is further processed by the controller to characterize the nature of the patient motion as a high shear motion or a low shear motion, and based on the characterization of the patient motion, the controller automatically updates a patient profile in a patient record or communicates the information with a caregiver.

A non-invasive and permeable RF diagnosis and treatment equipment and its catheter are provided. The catheter which comprises a tube body, a RF electrode array and a flexible protecting net has a retractable cavity, and the RF electrode array is attached to an outer surface of the retractable cavity; the flexible protecting net surrounding outside of the RF electrode array has a connector connected with the tube body and multiple holes. The retractable cavity has a smaller volume contraction state and a larger volume expansion state. Using the catheter, when inserting or pulling out the catheter, the RF electrode array will not contact the inner wall of the organ, but the flexible protecting net contacts the inner wall of the organ. In this way, the scratch of the inner wall of the organ caused by the RF electrode array can be minimized or even avoided through the flexible protecting net.

An implantable device for body tissue, including an electrical subsystem that flexes within and interfaces with body tissue and a carrier that operates in the following two modes: provides structural support for the electrical subsystem during implantation of the device in body tissue and allows flexing of the electrical subsystem after implantation of the device in body tissue. The implantable device is preferably designed to be implanted into the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location. The implantable device, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.