A sensor-retention structure includes a sensor-support arm configured to hold a sensor device and a stabilizer structure associated with the sensor-support arm and configured to project away from the sensor-support arm and provide stabilizing support for the sensor-support arm.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to pledget stimulation/recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for automatic periodic stimulation. Embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Disclosed embodiments include an electrode assembly having one or more electrodes rotatably supported by and positioned within a pledget substrate. The flexible pledget substrate conforms and fixates to bioelectric tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position, wrapped around the target tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another. The electrode assembly further includes a lead wire assembly including at least one insulating jacket positioned around a wire core. Optionally, the electrode assembly includes an insulating cup interconnecting the electrode and the insulating jacket.

An implantable device for implantation in a human body or animal body. The device includes an energy source, an energy storage device, and an electronics unit. Further, an actuator is coupled with the energy storage device and it is configured to emit electromagnetic waves by discharging the energy storage device.

A medical implant including an implant body for insertion into a human and/or animal body. The implant body includes at least one first and at least one second contact portion, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second contact portions contact two tissue regions performing a relative movement with respect to one another. The at least one first and the at least one second contact portions are movable relative to one another, wherein a relative movement of the contact portions may be converted into an electrical signal.

A method of associating a sensor with a blood vessel includes providing a sensor defining a passage therethrough and at least partially encircling the outside wall of the blood vessel with at least a portion of the sensor. The method further includes compressing the passage through the sensor until a portion of the blood vessel is flattened and mechanically coupling a pressure/force transducer to the outside wall of the blood vessel in an area of vessel wall flattening.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to implantable cardiac sensors and associated diagnostic and treatment methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a medical system for determining a treatment regimen for a patient with a heart condition comprises a sensing device including a pressure sensor for monitoring and providing RVP information representative of right ventricle heart pressures. At least the pressure sensor is configured for implantation into a right ventricle of the patients heart. One or more processors are coupled to receive the RVP information and configured to determine a right atrial filling pressure based on the RVP information and a left atrial filling pressure based on the RVP information. A display device displays the right atrial filling pressure and the left atrial filling pressure. In embodiments, the one or more processors determine the left and right atrial filling pressures using the right ventricular pressure as a surrogate.

A method of performing medical procedure includes inserting a working channel into a bodily cavity, the working channel having an elongated shaft with a first lumen and a second lumen and an inflatable balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft and having a mesh disposed an outer wall thereof, wherein the mesh creates a textured surface that prevents slippage of the balloon on surrounding tissue, advancing the working channel through the bodily cavity until the inflatable balloon reaches an anchoring position, anchoring the working channel at the anchoring position by supplying fluid via a pump until the balloon is inflated and the textured surface grips the surrounding tissue, inserting at least one medical instrument through the second lumen and performing the medical procedure, withdrawing the medical instrument from the second lumen, deflating the inflatable balloon, and withdrawing the working channel from the bodily cavity.

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.

This invention relates to a vacuum-pump sucker for high-resolution microscopy comprising a sucker body and a transparent plate. The vacuum-pump sucker is designed as a stabilizer for sample stabilization in a clinical optical virtual biopsy system with sub-micron resolution. The sucker is connected with a vacuum pump. As the vacuum pump pumps out air or gas, tissues around the imaged area will be sucked by the sucker and the distance between objective lens and the imaged tissue can be stabilized. In this way, the stability and resolution of the clinical biopsy system can be greatly improved.

A sensing device can be placed within the colon to study bowel function. The sensing device can include a flexible printed circuit board that includes at least one senor configured to record data related to bowel activity from a patient's colon; and a wireless transmitter configured to send the data from the patient's colon to an external device. The sensing device can also include at least one mucosal clip configured to fix the sensor board to a wall of the patient's colon for a measurement period. The flexible printed circuit board and/or the at least one mucosal clip are configured to be passed from the patient's colon after the measurement period through normal defecation.