A device for reducing foreign body response in a subject caused by an electrode implanted in a subject's tissue. A base is secured to the subject, having a base aperture in proximity to the target site. The base can receive and align a body thereon. A body contains a chamber extending between a chamber aperture, aligned with the base aperture, at one end and a chamber opening at an opposite end. The chamber contains an acoustic coupling medium, such as polyvinyl alcohol cryogel, transmits acoustic vibrations from a transducer without altering their frequency. The transducer is mounted to the device and is configured to transmit acoustic vibrations into the chamber and through said acoustic coupling medium to the subject tissue at the target site, creating an acoustic field in the target site sufficient to reduce foreign body response in the subject where the electrode contacts the target tissue.

Disclosed examples generally include methods and apparatuses related to microphone units, such as may be found in implantable medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants). Microphone units generally include a microphone element connected to a chamber having a concave floor with the chamber covered by a membrane. Microphone units can be configured to produce an output based on pressure waves (e.g., sound waves) that reach the membrane. In an example, a microphone unit has a pressurized gas within the chamber below the membrane such that, while in a static state, the membrane deflects away from the chamber floor.

A system and related method for eliminating microbes from a metal orthopedic appliance includes a counter electrode and working electrode used for applying treatment, and a reference electrode used for monitoring safety parameters. The working electrode is the implanted appliance. Electrical current is applied between the counter electrode and the working electrode to create electrochemical current through the system and create electrochemical reactions on the surface of the working and counter electrode. The chemical species created at the working electrode provide a mechanism to disrupt and kill microbes on that surface, including bacterial biofilms commonly found on infected orthopedic implants. Circuitry connected to the electrodes keeps the applied current constant and allows the voltage between the working and counter electrode to vary. The reference electrode monitors the voltage at the working electrode in order to provide feedback to a processor as part of a feedback mechanism. The processor is programmed with software logic, preventing the voltage from drifting to ranges that correlate with metal immunity or corrosion regions by limiting or altering the applied current.

A system and related method for eliminating microbes from a metal orthopedic appliance includes a counter electrode and working electrode used for applying treatment, and a reference electrode used for monitoring safety parameters. The working electrode is the implanted appliance. Electrical current is applied between the counter electrode and the working electrode to create electrochemical current through the system and create electrochemical reactions on the surface of the working and counter electrode. The chemical species created at the working electrode provide a mechanism to disrupt and kill microbes on that surface, including bacterial biofilms commonly found on infected orthopedic implants. Circuitry connected to the electrodes keeps the applied current constant and allows the voltage between the working and counter electrode to vary. The reference electrode monitors the voltage at the working electrode in order to provide feedback to a processor as part of a feedback mechanism. The processor is programmed with software logic, preventing the voltage from drifting to ranges that correlate with metal immunity or corrosion regions by limiting or altering the applied current.

The disclosed systems and methods include a neuromodulation system including at least one neuromodulation device, at least one neuromodulation pattern storage means, and at least one neuromodulation controller. The neuromodulation pattern storage means can store neuromodulation data. The neuromodulation data can specify neurostimulation with at least one of a carrying frequency of at least 1 kHz or multipolar stimulation. The neuromodulation device can provide neuromodulation according to the neuromodulation data.

A trocar assembly comprises an elongate shaft, a piercing tip at a distal end of the shaft, a handle at a proximal end of the shaft, and a retaining member. When a passer tube is positioned over the shaft, the retaining member engages with an inner surface or an outer surface of the passer tube to retain a position of the passer tube over the shaft.

Systems and methods for cardiac pacing are provided, where a pacing lead is placed at or near the bundle of His. A method for pacing a heart of a patient comprises: introducing a sheath to vasculature of the patient; steering the sheath within a coronary sinus in the heart to lodge a distal end of the sheath to a target location proximal to the bundle of His above a septum separating a left ventricle and a right ventricle of the heart; advancing a pacing lead through a lumen of the sheath to the target location; coupling the pacing lead to cardiac tissue at the target location; removing the sheath; and electrically pacing the bundle of His using the pacing lead.

The invention refers to a device for inhibiting the neural activity of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or carotid body of a subject, the device comprising: one or more transducers configured to apply a signal to the CSN or associated carotid body of the subject, optionally at least two such transducers; and a controller coupled to the one or more transducers, the controller controlling the signal to be applied by the one or more transducers, such that the signal inhibits the neural activity of the CSN or carotid body to produce a physiological response in the subject, wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of: an increase in insulin sensitivity in the subject, an increase in glucose tolerance in the subject, a decrease in (fasting) plasma glucose concentration in the subject, a reduction in subcutaneous fat content in the subject, and a reduction in obesity in the subject.

The problem of a potentially high amount of supra-threshold charge passing through the patient's tissue at the end of an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) program is addressed by circuitry that periodically dissipates only small amount of the charge stored on capacitances (e.g., DC-blocking capacitors) during a pulsed post-program recovery period. This occurs by periodically activating control signals to turn on passive recovery switches to form a series of discharge pulses each dissipating a sub-threshold amount of charge. Such periodic pulsed dissipation may extend the duration of post-program recovery, but is not likely to be noticeable by the patient when the programming in the IPG changes from a first to a second program. Periodic pulsed dissipation of charge may also be used during a program, such as between stimulation pulses.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.