Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for delivering therapy to an adrenal gland of a patient. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of stimulation elements arranged configured to deliver stimulation energy through at least one of the plurality of stimulation elements to modulate aldosterone levels within the patient.

A method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled space of a brain of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. One or more second electrodes are implanted superficial to brain parenchyma of the subject, such that the brain parenchyma is spatially disposed between a ventricular system of the brain and the one or more second electrodes. Control circuitry is activated to drive the first and the one or more second electrodes to clear amyloid beta and/or tau protein from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system by applying current between the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes using an average voltage of less than 1.2 V. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention is directed to a wearable system wherein elements of the system, including various sensors adapted to detect biometric and other data and/or to deliver drugs, are positioned proximal to, on the ear or in the ear canal of a person. In embodiments of the invention, elements of the system are positioned on the ear or in the ear canal for extended periods of time. For example, an element of the system may be positioned on the tympanic membrane of a user and left there overnight, for multiple days, months, or years. Because of the position and longevity of the system elements in the ear canal, the present invention has many advantages over prior wearable biometric and drug delivery devices.

A system for treating a patient comprises a delivery device and injectate. The delivery device comprises an elongate shaft with a distal portion and at least one delivery element positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion. The delivery device is constructed and arranged to deliver the injectate through the at least one delivery element and into tissue to create a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of creating a therapeutic restriction are also provided.

Various systems and methods provide iontophoretic delivery of anesthesia at a patient's tympanic membrane. At least one example is a method including: performing iontophoresis within a first ear canal by driving, by a control unit, a DC signal to an electrode of a first iontophoresis device positioned within the first ear canal, the electrode at least partially submerged within an iontophoresis fluid within the first ear canal; measuring, by the control unit, a mixed capacitance associated with the electrode by driving a first AC signal having a first frequency to the electrode; and determining, based on a change in the mixed capacitance, that an air bubble is present in the iontophoresis fluid.

An electrical discharge irrigation device and method is described. An electrical discharge irrigation device includes a power source, a circuit coupled to the power source, and an output tip coupled to the circuit. The output tip includes a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return including an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge.

An electrical discharge irrigation includes a power source to produce a first voltage, a circuit coupled to the power source to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, a discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage from the circuit, a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier coupled to the discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage, and an output tip. This tip is coupled to a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the tip to receive an electrical charge from the a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return. The ground return is an outside surface of the tip. A space between the electrode and the ground return holds a conductive medium in contact with the electrode and the ground return.

Apparatus is provided that includes one or more intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, and a support structure along which the one or more intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces are disposed. The support structure is configured to be implanted within a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of a subject, and to be shaped as a partial ring or a complete ring after implantation. The apparatus further includes one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc. Control circuitry is provided, which is configured to: configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, and drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus. Other embodiments are also described.

An oral care implement herein may be embodied as an oral device for placement in the oral cavity. The device may include an insert configured for placement in the oral cavity in contact with a wearer's teeth and an activating member configured for placement in the oral cavity and selectively attachable to the insert.

Methods of administering a gene therapy construct to the eye including injection of the construct into the eye and application of an electric current to enhance penetration of or cellular expression of molecules in ocular tissues. These methods provide effective technique for the intraocular delivery of gene therapy vectors, especially AAV vectors, and nanoparticles.