A system and method for pain level recognition using an automated approach which incorporates a pain-affect dataset comprising bioVid pain and bioVid emotion datasets for the assessment of patient pain in clinical settings where patients often experience other affect states, such as anger and anxiety, in addition to pain.

Disclosed technology includes technology for compensating for a balance dysfunction. A system can combine sensory substitution with balance dysfunction suppression. Dysfunctional balance information coming from a recipient's vestibular system is inhibited using stimulation. Balance information (e.g. how the recipient is positioned with respect to gravity, such as rotation along pitch and roll axes) is then passed to another sensory channel (e.g., visual, audible, or tactile sensory channels). Such a system can be implemented with a cochlear implant or another sensory prostheses having balance signals injected into the stimulation signal processing path.

The disclosed technology provides a system and a computer implemented method for crisis state detection and intervention of a person or group of persons, the method comprising: providing a computer system designed to detect and intervene non-normal, elevated crisis operating states; using one or more sensors that ascertains a crisis state via physical, behavioral, or cognitive indicators; deducing, with computational hardware, the operational state of a user or users from one or more sensors; and administering an immediate, dual intervention of a sensory form to de-escalate the crisis operating state of a person or group of persons.

A method for titrating a stimulation parameter for one or more electrode contacts in a system for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient includes activating one of the one or more electrode contacts to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve of the patient, obtaining a first and/or second physiological measurement from the patient, comparing the first and/or second physiological measurement to a first and/or second predetermined target value, adjusting a stimulation parameter for the one of the one or more electrode contacts if the first and/or second physiological measurement differs from the first and/or second predetermined target value.

A method for titrating a stimulation parameter for one or more electrode contacts in a system for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient includes activating one of the one or more electrode contacts to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve of the patient, obtaining a first and/or second physiological measurement from the patient, comparing the first and/or second physiological measurement to a first and/or second predetermined target value, adjusting a stimulation parameter for the one of the one or more electrode contacts if the first and/or second physiological measurement differs from the first and/or second predetermined target value.

A wearable surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor unit and associated methods. The sensor unit has a flexible non-stretchable substrate comprising a first layer defining a first side of the substrate and a second layer defining a second side of the substrate, one or more sensor electrodes including at least a first pair of active electrodes and a ground electrode disposed on the first side, a plurality of traces disposed on the second side, and vias connecting the traces and sensor electrodes. The substrate may include one or more reinforcing layers at areas of high stress to increase durability of the sensor unit.

A wearable surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor unit and associated methods. The sensor unit has a flexible non-stretchable substrate comprising a first layer defining a first side of the substrate and a second layer defining a second side of the substrate, one or more sensor electrodes including at least a first pair of active electrodes and a ground electrode disposed on the first side, a plurality of traces disposed on the second side, and vias connecting the traces and sensor electrodes. The substrate may include one or more reinforcing layers at areas of high stress to increase durability of the sensor unit.

Methods and wearable devices for optimizing power consumption using sensor-based position and use determinations are described here. One example method is performed at a device that includes a first sensor configured to operate with a first power consumption rate and a second sensor configured to operate with a second power consumption rate. The method includes, while a component associated with the second sensor is in an inactive state, receiving first sensor data, and determining whether the first sensor data indicates movement of the device. The method also includes, when movement of the device is indicated, operating the second sensor in an active state. The method further includes, after activating the second sensor, when second sensor data from the second sensor indicates that the device has been placed on a user’s body, continuing to operate the second sensor in the active state.

Methods and wearable devices for optimizing power consumption using sensor-based position and use determinations are described here. One example method is performed at a device that includes a first sensor configured to operate with a first power consumption rate and a second sensor configured to operate with a second power consumption rate. The method includes, while a component associated with the second sensor is in an inactive state, receiving first sensor data, and determining whether the first sensor data indicates movement of the device. The method also includes, when movement of the device is indicated, operating the second sensor in an active state. The method further includes, after activating the second sensor, when second sensor data from the second sensor indicates that the device has been placed on a user’s body, continuing to operate the second sensor in the active state.

A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.)