A head-wearable device is configured to hold at least one ultrasound transducer such that it is properly positioned for brain stimulation. Such a head-wearable device can help to ensure that the transducer makes sufficient contact with the user's head to allow for efficient ultrasound coupling. Each device may also ensure that the ultrasound transducer maintains the same orientation and position relative to the head across successive donning and doffing of the device.

Systems and methods are disclosed related to using acoustic waves to detect neural activity in a brain and/or localize the neural activity in the brain. Sensors positioned outside of a skull encasing the brain can detect acoustic waves associated with the neural activity in the brain. From output signals of the sensors, a particular type of neural activity (e.g., a seizure) can be detected. A location of the neural activity can be determined based on outputs of the sensors. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy can be applied to the location of the neural activity in response to detecting the neural activity.

Systems, methods, and interfaces are described herein for noninvasively determining an optimal coronary sinus branch to cannulate for a medical electrical lead. One exemplary method involves applying an electrode apparatus having a plurality of electrodes to a torso of a patient. One of a right ventricular (RV) lead is introduced to a right ventricle or a right atrial (RA) lead is introduced to a right atrium. Noninvasively ultrasonic energy is introduced to a target tissue selected from a set of target tissues. In response to delivering ultrasonic energy to the cardiac tissue, a processing unit receives a torso-surface potential signal from each of a plurality of electrodes distributed on a torso of a patient for the target tissue. Signals are sensed from one of the RA lead and the RV lead in response to delivering ultrasonic energy. For at least a subset of the plurality of electrodes, calculating, with the processing unit, a torso-surface activation time based on the signal sensed from the electrode. Determining whether the tissue site or the another tissue site provides optimal cardiac resynchronization.

An apparatus for vascular denervation, comprising a catheter configured for delivery into a vessel of a patient. A balloon is mounted on a distal tip of the catheter, the balloon being configured to be inflatable and further configured so that, upon inflation, the balloon adopts a shape that includes a first edge and a second edge that wind around each other in a double helix, the first edge and the second edge being separated from each other by a first crease and a second crease that also wind around each other in a double helix. A first electrode is attached to the balloon and is located to extend along the first edge.

An ultrasound deep brain stimulation method and system, the ultrasound deep brain stimulation method comprises: medically imaging a head of an animal or a human being, to generate image data; creating a head 3D digital model according to the image data; creating a 3D digital model of an ultrasound transducer array according to structure, density and acoustic parameters information of the ultrasound transducer array; generating a first ultrasound transmitting sequence according to the head 3D digital model, the 3D digital model of the ultrasound transducer array, structure, density and acoustic parameters of the skull and brain tissues, and structure, density and acoustic parameters of the ultrasound transducer array; and controlling the ultrasound transducer array to transmit ultrasound waves in accordance with the first ultrasound transmitting sequence, to implement ultrasound deep brain stimulation to the brain nucleus to be stimulated. By the use of the present invention, ultrasound can noninvasively passes through the skull to be focused in a deep brain region. By the use of different ultrasound transmitting sequences, ultrasound neuromodulation can be realized, and research on an action mechanism for the ultrasound neuromodulation can be performed.

The invention generally relates to an adjustable headpiece with anatomical markers and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus that includes a headpiece configured to be worn on a head of a user. The headpiece includes at least a first receptacle configured to receive and retain a first energy source, and the headpiece is adjustable in at least one direction. There is at least one anatomical marker coupled to the headpiece. In that manner, a position of the receptacle can be adjustably aligned to a region of neural tissue in the head based on an alignment of the at least one anatomical marker with its designated anatomical structure.

An external ultrasound generating treating device (12) to induce spinal cord and/or spinal nerve treatment comprises at least two sub-arrays of ultrasound generating treatment transducers, a left sub-array (20iL) being located on a left lateral side and a right sub-array (20iR) being located on a right lateral side of the central longitudinal axis (Ai). The device comprises a support structure (32) having at least one module (34i) comprising a left lateral section (34iL) and a right lateral section (34iR). The support structure (32) maintains, in use of the device, a constant distance and a constant relative angular orientation around the central longitudinal axis (Ai) between the first left and first right treatment transducers or set of treatment transducers (20iL, 20iR). Also disclosed is an apparatus including the external ultrasound generating treating device (12) and methods of its use.

A bio-stimulation robot includes a stationary platform, a plurality of drive modules coupled to the stationary platform, and a motion platform coupled to the drive modules to operate to change a position of the motion platform. Each of the drive modules includes a first guide member having an arc shape, a motion member coupled to the first guide, and a leg member having a first end coupled to the motion member and a second end fixed to the motion platform. The motion member slides along the first guide member. The second end of the leg member is rotatably connected to the motion platform. The second end of the leg member is rotatably connected to the motion platform.

Systems, methods, and interfaces are described herein for noninvasively determining an optimal coronary sinus branch to cannulate for a medical electrical lead. One exemplary method involves applying an electrode apparatus having a plurality of electrodes to a torso of a patient. One of a right ventricular (RV) lead is introduced to a right ventricle or a right atrial (RA) lead is introduced to a right atrium. Noninvasively ultrasonic energy is introduced to a target tissue selected from a set of target tissues. In response to delivering ultrasonic energy to the cardiac tissue, a processing unit receives a torso-surface potential signal from each of a plurality of electrodes distributed on a torso of a patient for the target tissue. Signals are sensed from one of the RA lead and the RV lead in response to delivering ultrasonic energy. For at least a subset of the plurality of electrodes, calculating, with the processing unit, a torso-surface activation time based on the signal sensed from the electrode. Determining whether the tissue site or the another tissue site provides optimal cardiac resynchronization.

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclically modulating neural activity in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may be modulated cyclically by stimuli delivered via various types of stimulus sources. In an aspect, activity of a sensory nerve is modulated. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of stimuli for modulating neural activity may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.