A61B5/6884

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INSERTION AND FIXATION OF IMPLANTABLE DEVICES

A tunneling tool for forming a tissue channel and/or pocket beneath a portion of skin along a body comprises a distal end having a tunneling member and a guide. The tunneling member is configured for forming the tissue channel and/or pocket beneath the portion of skin while the guide remains above the skin and indicates the location of at least a portion of the tunneling member. An anchor for securing an elongate device to body tissue comprises an anchor body configured to receive the elongate device; a mechanism configured to removably attach the anchor body to the elongate device so as to resist movement of the elongate device in relation to the anchor body; and at least one tissue engagement element configured to assist in attaching the anchor body to the body tissue.

Implants using ultrasonic communication for modulating splenic nerve activity

Described herein are methods for monitoring or modulating an immune system in a subject; treating, reducing or monitoring inflammation; monitoring blood pressure; treating hypertension; or administering or adjusting a therapy for inflammation or hypertension in a patient by electrically stimulating the splenic nerve or detecting splenic nerve activity using an implanted medical device. Also described herein are implantable medical devices for performing such methods. The implanted medical device includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves and convert energy from the ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy that powers the device, two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the ultrasonic transducer that are configured to electrically stimulate a splenic nerve or detect a splenic nerve activity, and optionally a splenic nerve attachment member.

PRESSURE SENSITIVE DEVICE
20190365327 · 2019-12-05 ·

A pressure sensitive device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion being made of a shape memory alloy, a flexible diaphragm at least partially surrounding the body and defining a fluid chamber between the flexible diaphragm and the distal portion of the body, and a non-compressible fluid disposed within the flexible diaphragm and exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm.

TRANSVASCULAR PRESSURE SENSING DEVICE
20190365326 · 2019-12-05 ·

A transvascular pressure sensing device including a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the distal portion, the proximal portion including a blood pressure sensor disposed therein, a compliant balloon surrounding at least a portion of the housing and defining a fluid chamber therebetween, the fluid chamber including a first portion defining a first volume and a second portion defining a second volume greater than the first volume, and a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber and exerting a hydraulic pressure on the balloon, the blood pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is distributed over the second portion of the balloon.

IMPLANTS USING ULTRASONIC COMMUNICATION FOR NEURAL SENSING AND STIMULATION
20190321644 · 2019-10-24 ·

Described herein is an implantable medical device that includes a body having one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to receive ultrasonic waves and convert energy from the ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy, two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the ultrasonic transducer, and a clip attached to the body that is configured to at least partially surround a nerve and/or a filamentous tissue and position the two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the nerve. In certain examples, the implantable medical device includes two ultrasonic transducers with orthogonal polarization axes. Also described herein are methods for treating incontinence in a subject by converting energy from ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy that powers a full implanted medical device, and electrically stimulating a tibial nerve, a pudendal nerve, or a sacral nerve, or a branch thereof, using the fully implanted medical device.

IMPLANTS USING ULTRASONIC COMMUNICATION FOR MODULATING SPLENIC NERVE ACTIVITY
20190321640 · 2019-10-24 ·

Described herein are methods for monitoring or modulating an immune system in a subject; treating, reducing or monitoring inflammation; monitoring blood pressure; treating hypertension; or administering or adjusting a therapy for inflammation or hypertension in a patient by electrically stimulating the splenic nerve or detecting splenic nerve activity using an implanted medical device. Also described herein are implantable medical devices for performing such methods. The implanted medical device includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves and convert energy from the ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy that powers the device, two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the ultrasonic transducer that are configured to electrically stimulate a splenic nerve or detect a splenic nerve activity, and optionally a splenic nerve attachment member.

NERVE MONITORING AND/OR STIMULATION ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES

Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.

Monitoring treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) using diffuse optical imaging

A plurality of modules are simultaneously positioned at locations that correspond to different angiosomes. Each of these modules has a front surface shaped and dimensioned for contacting a person's skin, a plurality of different-wavelength light sources aimed in a forward direction, and a plurality of light detectors aimed to detect light arriving from in front of the front surface. Each module is supported by a support structure (e.g., a strap or a clip) that is shaped and dimensioned to hold the front surface adjacent to the person's skin at a respective position. Perfusion in each of the angiosomes is monitored using these modules, and the surgeon can rely on this information to guide his or her intervention.

Umbilical Cord Sensors and Methods of Using the Same
20240148294 · 2024-05-09 ·

Umbilical cord sensors for monitoring biomarkers and other information associated with an umbilical cord are provided. Some exemplary embodiments of sensors include both an outer body and expandable inner body, with both bodies being disposed at least partially around an umbilical cord, the inner body being disposed within the outer body. The expandable inner body defines a receiving channel for receiving the umbilical cord, and is selectively expanded and contracted to engage and disengage with the umbilical cord. One or more biosensors and/or one or more sampling features can be included as part of the umbilical cord sensors, with the biosensors measuring one or more parameters and the sampling features obtaining one or more biomarkers associated with the umbilical cord. Exemplary methods of using umbilical cord sensors during the childbirth process are also provided, among other sensor configurations and methods of use.

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR DETECTING INTERNAL BLOOD PRESSURE
20190246985 · 2019-08-15 ·

A surgical clamping device that is suitable for detecting internal blood pressure or blood flow includes a first jaw assembly, a second jaw assembly, and an elongate body supporting the first and second jaw assemblies. The second jaw assembly includes an inflatable bladder that defines a cavity. The elongate body includes an inner tube and a piston movably supported within the inner tube. The piston defines a piston chamber within the inner tube and is movable within the inner tube from a retracted position to an advanced position. The cavity of the inflatable bladder communicates with the piston chamber such that movement of the piston from the retracted position towards the advanced position inflates the inflatable bladder.