A61B5/388

Devices and methods for repairing damage to a tissue

An example device for repairing a tissue is described herein. The device can include a flexible carrier layer, and a support member including a plurality of micro-protrusions extending therefrom. The support member can be at least partially integrated with the flexible carrier layer. Additionally, the flexible carrier layer can be configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue, and the micro-protrusions can be configured to mechanically interface with the tissue.

Devices and methods for repairing damage to a tissue

An example device for repairing a tissue is described herein. The device can include a flexible carrier layer, and a support member including a plurality of micro-protrusions extending therefrom. The support member can be at least partially integrated with the flexible carrier layer. Additionally, the flexible carrier layer can be configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue, and the micro-protrusions can be configured to mechanically interface with the tissue.

SELECTIVE TERMINATION OF STIMULATION TO DELIVER POST-STIMULATION THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
20170319849 · 2017-11-09 ·

In some examples, electrical stimulation is delivered to a patient such that selective termination of the stimulation causes a therapeutic effect in the patient after termination of the electrical stimulation to the patient. The electrical stimulation may be insufficient to produce a desired therapeutic effect in the patient during stimulation, but sufficient to induce a post-stimulation desired therapeutic effect following termination of the stimulation. In some examples, the electrical stimulation may be sub-threshold electrical stimulation. In some examples, the desired therapeutic effect may alleviate bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, or other disorders. The stimulation may be selectively terminated in response to one or more therapy trigger events to induce the post-stimulation therapeutic effect.

Unwanted stimulation detection during cardiac pacing

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for cardiac rhythm management. In some cases, a system may include a pulse generator for generating pacing pulses for stimulating a heart of a patient; a memory; and a sensor configured to sense a response to an unwanted stimulation and to produce a corresponding sensor signal. A processing circuit may receive the sensor signal for a time after one or more pacing pulses, and may derive a time-frequency representation of the sensor signal based on the received sensor signal. The processing circuit may use the time-frequency representation of the sensor signal to help identify unwanted stimulation. Once unwanted stimulation is detected, the processing circuit may change the pacing pulses to help reduce or eliminate the unwanted stimulation.

Automatic Determination of the Threshold of an Evoked Neural Response
20170296130 · 2017-10-19 ·

Techniques for automatically analyzing neural activity within a target neural region. In one example, electrical stimulation is applied to the target neural region at an initial current level that approximates a typical threshold-Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) level. An NRT measurement of neural activity within the target neural region in response to the stimulation is recorded. A machine-learned expert system, which is configured with a decision tree that includes at least two levels of nodes which consider parameters relating to the NRT measurement, respectively, is utilized to predict, based on one or more features of the neural activity, whether the NRT measurement includes a neural response or does not include a neural response.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING A NERVE BLOCK
20170197076 · 2017-07-13 ·

A nerve cuff for establishing a nerve block on a nerve can have a cuff body with a channel for receiving a nerve, a reservoir for holding a drug, and an elongate opening slit extending the length of the cuff body that can be opened to provide access to the channel and can be closed to enclose the cuff body around the nerve. The nerve cuff can also include an electrode for detecting and measuring electrical signals generated by the nerve. A controller can be used to control delivery of the drug based on the electrical signals generated by the nerve.

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES USING STRETCHABLE OR FLEXIBLE ELECTRONICS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a nerve bundle, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING ACTIVITY IN PERIPHERAL NERVES
20170181652 · 2017-06-29 ·

Systems and methods are provided for controlling an entity in response to activity in a peripheral nerve comprising a plurality of fascicles. A multicontact electrode assembly is configured to record activity from the peripheral nerve. A processing component includes a sensor mapping component configured to quantify activity associated with a proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, an evaluation component configured to determine an adjustment of the status of the controlled entity from the quantified activity of the proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, and a controller configured to provide a control signal, representing the adjustment of the status of the controlled entity, to the controlled entity.

NEURAL ELECTRODES AND METHODS FOR IMPLANTING SAME
20170182312 · 2017-06-29 ·

One aspect of the present disclosure can include a method for implanting a neural electrode in a fascicle including a target nerve. One step of the method can include inserting a microwire assembly into the fascicle. The microwire assembly can comprise a microwire body that is coiled around a needle introducer. Next, a portion of the microwire body can be uncoiled from around the needle introducer so that a distal end of the microwire body retains a spiral-shaped configuration. The needle introducer can then be withdrawn so that the spiral-shaped distal end of the microwire body remains implanted in the fascicle.

CLOSELY SPACED ARRAY OF PENETRATING ELECTRODES
20170165474 · 2017-06-15 ·

The present disclosure describes a closely spaced array of penetrating electrodes. In some implementations, the electrodes of the array are spaced less than 50 m apart. The present disclosure also describes methods for manufacturing the closely spaced array of penetrating electrodes. In some implementations, each row of electrode of the array is manufactured in-plane and then coupled to other rows of electrodes to form an array.