Patent classifications
A61N1/3606
SURGICAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF ONE VISUALIZATION WITH ANOTHER
In general, devices, systems, and methods for control of one visualization with another are provided.
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Modulation of neural signaling of a pancreas-related sympathetic nerve is capable of improving glycaemic control by inhibiting T cell activation or migration to the pancreas, and hence providing a way of treating or preventing type 1 diabetes.
Stereo-thermo-lesioning to treat a patient's neurological condition
This disclosure relates to using stereo-thermo-lesioning (STL) to create lesions at one or more locations in the patient's nervous system at the patient's bedside without general anesthesia. A method that uses STL to treat a patient's neurological condition includes: using a plurality of stereotactically-implanted thermo-coupled multi-contact electrodes to record conduction data within a predetermined theoretical zone of activity within the patient's neurological tissue; detecting abnormal neurological activity of a neurological condition within the conduction data and localize a portion of the predetermined theoretical zone of activity that is responsible for a primary organization of the abnormal neurological activity; creating a lesion at the portion of the predetermined theoretical zone of activity that is responsible for a primary organization of the abnormal neurological activity using at least one contact of the plurality of thermo-coupled multi-contact electrodes.
Disc therapy
A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.
NEUROSTIMULATION DEVICE FOR BLOCKING BLOOD FLOW BETWEEN ELECTRODES
A neurostimulation device 1 for non-destructively stimulating neural activity in a nerve 3 in proximity to a blood vessel 5. The neurostimulation device 1 comprises a catheter 7 for insertion into the blood vessel 5; a proximal electrode 11 offset from a distal electrode 9 along a length of the catheter 7; and an insulator 13 positioned between the proximal electrode 11 and the distal electrode 9 on the catheter 7. The insulator 13 has a contracted configuration in which the size of the insulator 13 allows the catheter 7 to travel inside the blood vessel 5. The insulator 13 has an expanded configuration in which the insulator 13 blocks blood flowing through the blood vessel between the proximal electrode 11 and the distal electrode 9. The neurostimulation device 1 comprises a stimulator 15 arranged to apply an electrical signal between the proximal electrode 11 and the distal electrode 9 when the insulator 13 is in the expanded configuration, thus inducing electrical activity in a wall portion of the blood vessel between the proximal and distal electrodes 9, 11. There is also an insulation portion between the distal electrode 9 and a distal end of the catheter 7 for offsetting the distal electrode 9 from a wall of the blood vessel 5.
Disc therapy
Apparatus is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the apparatus including: at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface, which is configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. The control circuitry is configured to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.
Implant holder and suture guide
A delivery system is disclosed having an implant retainer configured to releasably hold an implant unit and maintain the implant unit in a fixation location relative to target tissue in a subject's body during an implantation procedure. A first suture guide portion may be disposed on a first side of the implant retainer and configured to guide a suture needle during the implantation procedure. A second suture guide portion may be disposed on a second side of the implant retainer, opposite the first side, and configured to guide the suture needle after the suture needle exits the first suture guide portion.
Devices, systems and methods for therapeutic muscle stimulation
Devices, systems and methods are described for providing muscle contraction stimulation therapy to treat myriad diseases, including heart failure, Type 2 diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease using a skin patch or implantable stimulator that includes a multiplicity of electrodes, a processor, a stimulation circuit, one or more sensors and programming for a patient interface unit, wherein the processor is programmed to control selection of a subset of the multiplicity of electrodes and of operation of the stimulation circuit responsive to an indication of an adverse physiologic response. The indication of patient discomfort may be determined by monitoring a physiologic parameter of the subject using the one or more sensors, by direct input from the subject via the patient interface unit programming, or a combination thereof.
ARCED IMPLANT UNIT FOR MODULATION OF NERVES
An implant unit configured for implantation into a body of a subject is provided. The implant unit may include a flexible carrier unit including a central portion and two elongated arms extending from the central portion, an antenna, located on the central portion, configured to receive a signal, at least one pair of electrodes arranged on a first elongated arm of the two elongated arms. The at least one pair of electrodes may be adapted to modulate a first nerve. The elongated arms of the flexible carrier may be configured to form an open ended curvature around a muscle with the nerve to be stimulated within an arc of the curvature.
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEM
The present disclosure provides an electrical stimulation device. The electrical stimulation device includes a signal receiving circuit and a signal processing circuit. The signal receiving circuit receives and outputs a frequency signal. The signal processing circuit receives the frequency signal and provides an electrical stimulation signal according to the frequency signal.