An electroconductive hydrogel is formed by hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber networks of conducting polymers that self-organize into highly connected 3D nanostructures with an ultralow threshold (?1 wt %) for electrical percolation. A method for forming the electroconductive hydrogel comprises the steps of: dispersing aramid nanofibers (ANFs) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); conducting a solvent exchange with water to generate hydrogels with connective 3D fibrillar networks that serve as templates for the assembly of conducting polymers; incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the processing of the hydrogels to weld the fibrillar joints via hydrogen bonding; infiltrating monomers into the nano-porous hydrogels in an aqueous media; and polymerizing the hydrogels with added oxidants.

An electroconductive hydrogel is formed by hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber networks of conducting polymers that self-organize into highly connected 3D nanostructures with an ultralow threshold (?1 wt %) for electrical percolation. A method for forming the electroconductive hydrogel comprises the steps of: dispersing aramid nanofibers (ANFs) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); conducting a solvent exchange with water to generate hydrogels with connective 3D fibrillar networks that serve as templates for the assembly of conducting polymers; incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the processing of the hydrogels to weld the fibrillar joints via hydrogen bonding; infiltrating monomers into the nano-porous hydrogels in an aqueous media; and polymerizing the hydrogels with added oxidants.

A biosensor includes light emitting elements and a light receiving element disposed on a principal surface of a wiring board; a light shielding portion disposed between a light-emitting-element sealing portion and a light-receiving-element sealing portion; a base medium having light transmitting properties, disposed in parallel with the wiring board with the light shielding portion therebetween; an adhesion layer having light transmitting properties, configured to bond the base medium with the light-emitting-element sealing portion, the light-receiving-element sealing portion, and the light shielding portion; and a first electrocardiograph electrode attached to a principal surface of the base medium. The refractive index of the base medium is set to be higher than that of the adhesion layer, and a surface of the first electrocardiograph electrode which is adjacent to the base medium is roughened so that stray light passing through the base medium will be scattered.

An electrode assembly (preferably in the form of a nerve cuff) comprises a base with first and second arms extending from opposite sides of the base, and which, in combination, define an arc. First and second electrically conductive electrodes extend along the inner surface of the first and second arms. Each electrode can comprise a single length of foil can or can comprise multiple discrete foil segments. The foils are electrically isolated from each other. Electrical wires, which are in electrical communication with the each of the foils, extend from the nerve cuff and are adapted to be electrically connected to a signal monitor. When the nerve cuff is applied to a nerve, the foils, in combination, substantially surround the nerve, with the first and second electrodes being on opposite sides of the nerve from each other. Also disclosed is a method of using the nerve cuff to monitor a nerve during a lumbar spinal surgery while the patient is anesthetized and paralyzed.

An electrode assembly (preferably in the form of a nerve cuff) comprises a base with first and second arms extending from opposite sides of the base, and which, in combination, define an arc. First and second electrically conductive electrodes extend along the inner surface of the first and second arms. Each electrode can comprise a single length of foil can or can comprise multiple discrete foil segments. The foils are electrically isolated from each other. Electrical wires, which are in electrical communication with the each of the foils, extend from the nerve cuff and are adapted to be electrically connected to a signal monitor. When the nerve cuff is applied to a nerve, the foils, in combination, substantially surround the nerve, with the first and second electrodes being on opposite sides of the nerve from each other. Also disclosed is a method of using the nerve cuff to monitor a nerve during a lumbar spinal surgery while the patient is anesthetized and paralyzed.

The digital suture devices can accurately record electrical activity in muscles, while reducing both tissue damage and increasing ease of use. In some examples, the digital suture device can include an adapter configured to be connected to a data collection and/or stimulus control system. The device can further include a sensor body electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter. The sensor body may include one or more sensor members extending from the adapter. Each sensor member may include a first section distal to the adapter, a second section including one or more arrays of one or more stimulating/sensing sites, and a third section configured to be used with a delivery device. The second section may be disposed between the first section and the third section. Each sensor member may include one or more sets of tissue engaging members disposed along a length of the second section.

The digital suture devices can accurately record electrical activity in muscles, while reducing both tissue damage and increasing ease of use. In some examples, the digital suture device can include an adapter configured to be connected to a data collection and/or stimulus control system. The device can further include a sensor body electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter. The sensor body may include one or more sensor members extending from the adapter. Each sensor member may include a first section distal to the adapter, a second section including one or more arrays of one or more stimulating/sensing sites, and a third section configured to be used with a delivery device. The second section may be disposed between the first section and the third section. Each sensor member may include one or more sets of tissue engaging members disposed along a length of the second section.

The present disclosure relates to neuromuscular stimulation and sensing cuffs. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff has at least two fingers and a plurality of electrodes disposed on each finger. More generally, the neuromuscular stimulation cuff includes an outer, reusable component and an inner, disposable component. One or more electrodes are housed within the reusable component. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff may be produced by providing an insulating substrate layer, forming a conductive circuit on the substrate layer to form a conductive circuit layer, adhering a cover layer onto the conductive circuit layer to form a flexible circuit, and cutting at least one flexible finger from the flexible circuit. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff employs a flexible multi-electrode design which allows for reanimation of complex muscle movements in a patient, including individual finger movement.

A device detects electric potentials with measuring inputs (7) for connection to measuring electrodes (9), which can be placed on the body of a patient (3). Measuring amplifiers (Op.sub.1, . . . , Op.sub.N) have a first and a second input as well as an output (11). A summing unit (13, 23) is connected to the outputs of the measuring amplifiers and sends a signal proportional to a mean value of the signals of the outputs of the measuring amplifiers to an output (15, 17) of the summing unit. Each of the measuring inputs is connected to a first input of a measuring amplifier. The second input of each measuring amplifier is connected to the output (17) of the summing unit. A potential output (19) connects to an electrode and to an output of a further amplifier Op.sub.c), with an input connected to the output (15) of the summing unit.

To provide an in-vivo visualization device able to identify local changes in time and space.

An in-vivo visualization device according to an embodiment is provided with a current/voltage injection measurement unit which has a sensor provided with a plurality of electrodes arrangeable on a subject's skin at intervals from each other and which injects a current or applies a potential difference between each of the electrodes in a state where each of the electrodes is in contact with the skin and measures first measurement data, which is a potential difference and phase, based on a current injection/voltage measurement pattern when injecting the current, or measures second measurement data, which is a current and phase, based on a voltage injection/current measurement pattern when applying the potential difference between each of the electrodes, an image reconstruction unit which creates an electrical property distribution inside the subject's body based on the first measurement data or the second measurement data and predetermined parameters, and a region of interest identification unit that performs an identification process on the electrical property distribution to identify a region of interest and creates a post-identification electrical property distribution.