2040 results about "Electrical impulse" patented technology

One or more implantable system control units (SCU) apply one or more stimulating drugs and/or electrical pulses to one or more predetermined areas affecting circulatory perfusion. The SCU preferably includes a programmable memory for storing data and/or control parameters, and preferably uses a power source/storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. If necessary, periodic recharging of such a power source/storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The SCU provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue with electrical and/or infusion pulses when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and/or from the SCU(s) and/or for the transmission of power. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust electrical and/or drug stimulation parameters.

A system and method for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to one or both vagus nerve(s) of a patient to provide therapy for obesity, eating disorders, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The electrical pulses can be provided either unilaterally or bilaterally (left and right vagus nerves) and can be supra-diaphramatic or be sub-diaphramatic. The system comprising implantable stimulator, lead(s), an external stimulator, and a programmer. The implantable stimulator, comprising a pulse generator module, and a stimulus-receiver module which is used in conjunction with an external stimulator. Control circuitry ensures selective operation of one of the modules of the implanted stimulator, at a time. Further, the external stimulator comprises a telemetry module for remotely activating (or de-activating) programs over the internet, to arrive at the optimal program for each patient. Once the optimal “dose” is titrated using the external stimulator, the implanted pulse generator can then be programmed to similar parameters. The external stimulator in conjunction with the implanted stimulus-receiver can override the implanted pulse generator module, to provide extra dose of therapy, and also to conserve the implanted battery. The external stimulator is networked to other computers. Using the networking, a physician situated remotely can monitor and program the devices, as well as, automatically generate invoicing. In one embodiment, the external stimulator also comprises GPS circuitry for locating patient.

The invention provides methods for inducing or increasing the vasodilation of a vessel. The invention further provides methods for inducing or increasing the flow of fluid through a vessel. An electrical impulse is applied to the vessel in order to induce or increase vessel vasodilation or to induce or increase the flow of fluid through the vessel. In a particular embodiment, a novel double-balloon catheter system incorporating electroporation technology has been designed and is used to apply the electrical impulse endoluminally.

The present invention comprises a fabric-based sensor for monitoring vital signs or other electrical impulses of a subject. The sensor is woven or knitted from conductive fibers and, when in contact with the body, receives signals from the wearer and transmits them to a processing or monitoring device through a data-output terminal. The sensor may be integrated into the fabric of a garment or used independently as a conductive patch. Additionally, the sensor may provide bi-directional communication by both monitoring electrical impulses and sending them.

A method, system, and an apparatus for providing a multi-phasic stimulation signal for an implantable device are provided. An electrical pulse with a first characteristic that includes a first pulse width, a first pulse amplitude, a first pulse polarity, or a first pulse shape, is applied during a first time period to a portion of a vagus nerve using an implantable device. A controlled modification of the first characteristic of the electrical pulse is performed. The controlled modification is performed to provide a second characteristic for the electrical pulse during a second time period. The electrical pulse with the second characteristic is applied to the target portion of the vagus nerve.

A cardiac assist device containing a device for connecting the cardiac assist device to a heart, for furnishing electrical impulses from the cardiac assist device to the heart, for ceasing the furnishing of electrical impulses to the heart, for receiving pulsed radio frequency fields, for transmitting and receiving optical signals, and for protecting the heart and the cardiac assist device from currents induced by the pulsed radio frequency fields. The cardiac assist device contains a control circuit comprised of a parallel resonant frequency circuit.

Apparatus and method for stimulating neuromuscular tissue in the stomach. The neuromuscular stimulator stimulates the neuromuscular tissue by applying current-controlled electrical pulses. A voltage sensor detects the voltage across the neuromuscular tissue to determine if the voltage meets a predetermined voltage threshold. A control circuit adjusts the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the voltage threshold, such that the voltage does not exceed the voltage threshold. A voltage-controlled pulse may also be applied to the tissue. A current sensor would then detect whether the current on the neuromuscular tissue meets a predetermined current threshold, and a control circuit adjusts the voltage controlled pulse such that the current does not exceed the current threshold. A real time clock may be provided which supplies data corresponding to the time of day during the treatment period. A programmable calendar stores parameters of the stimulating pulse, wherein the parameters have a reference to the time of day.

Systems and methods for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to alleviate pain use at least one implantable system control unit (SCU), producing electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or producing drug infusion pulses, wherein the stimulation is delivered to targeted areas in the brain. In some embodiments, one or more sensed conditions are used to adjust stimulation parameters.

A leadless cardiac pacemaker comprises a housing, a plurality of electrodes coupled to an outer surface of the housing, and a pulse delivery system hermetically contained within the housing and electrically coupled to the electrode plurality, the pulse delivery system configured for sourcing energy internal to the housing, generating and delivering electrical pulses to the electrode plurality. The pacemaker further comprises an anti-unscrewing feature disposed on either a fixation device of the pacemaker or on the housing itself. The anti-unscrewing feature can be configured to prevent the fixation device from disengaging the wall of the heart.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) or supra-poration to cause cell death in treated tumors. In embodiments, the methods comprise the integration of ultra-short electric pulses, both temporally and spatially, to achieve the desired modality of cell death.

A method and system to provide pre-determined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for bulimia/eating disorders, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry means for networking. The telemetry means therefore allows for interrogation or programming of implanted device, from a remote location over a wide area network.

Methods of electrically stimulating neural tissue of the brain are disclosed. A first electrode is placed in close proximity with tissue of a patient's brain (e.g., in the brain, or on or near the surface of the brain). A hyperpolariziag electrical pre-pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein the tissue is more susceptible to subsequent electric stimulation. A subsequent depolarizing electrical pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein an action potential is generated in the tissue.

A method and system for providing rectangular and/or complex electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) and/or its branches, to provide therapy for involuntary movement disorders (including Parkinson's disease and epilepsy), comprises implantable and external components. Complex electrical pulses comprises pulses which are configured to be one of non-rectangular, multi-level, biphasic, or pulses with varying amplitude during the pulse. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The stimulation and/or blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following pulse generation means: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. The pulse generator means comprises predetermined/pre-packaged programs. In one embodiment, the pulse generation means may also comprise telemetry means, for remote interrogation and/or programming of said pulse generation means utilizing a wide area network.

Methods and devices for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma and anaphylaxis wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve and/or the lungs of a patient suffering from bronchial constriction.

A method and system for providing electrical pulses for neuromodulating a cranial nerve of a patient utilizing an implantable stimulator. The implantable stimulator comprising a pulse generator module and a stimulus receiver module for coupling with an external stimulator. Control circuitry ensures selective operation of one pulse generator module. The external stimulator comprises a telemetry module for remotely activating (or de-activating) programs over the internet, to arrive at the optimal program for each patient. Once the optimal “dose” is titrated using the external stimulator, the implanted pulse generator can then be programmed to such parameters. The external stimulator in conjunction with the implanted stimulus receiver can override the implanted pulse generator, to provide extra dose of therapy or to conserve the implanted battery. The external stimulator is also networked to other computers. The external programmer may also comprise a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining patient location.

A method is provided for the fabrication of fuses within a semiconductor IC structure, which fuses are delectable by a laser pulse or a low voltage electrical pulse typically below 3.5 V to reroute the electrical circuitry of the structure to remove a faulty element. The fuses are formed on the surface of circuitry which is coplanar with a surrounding dielectric such as the circuitry formed by a Damascene method. A preferred fuse material is silicon-chrome-oxygen and the preferred circuitry is copper.

System and method for monitoring and controlling, defibrillation and pacing which allows a victim of a cardiac rhythm abnormality immediate access to a medical professional at a central station, who will remotely monitor, diagnose and treat the victim at one of a plurality of remote sites in accordance with the following steps: (1) providing a plurality of contact electrodes for a victim at a remote site for the receipt of ECG signals and for the application of electrical pulses to the victim; (2) transmitting the signals from the remote site to a central station and displaying them for review by the medical professional; (3) the medical professional selecting from a menu of defibrillation and pacing pulses, if the application thereof is appropriate; (4) transmitting the selection results to the remote site; and (5) receiving the selection results at the remote site and applying the selected pulses to the victim.

A method and system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to sacral nerves and/or its branches, to provide therapy for urinary/fecal incontinence and other urological disorders. The stimulation system comprising implanted and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation may be provided using a system which is one from a group comprising: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with an external magnet; d) a programmable implantable pulse generator; e) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable IPG; and f) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise telemetry means for interrogation or programming of the implanted device from a remote location, over a wide area network.

A medical device containing a device for connecting the medical device to a substrate, for furnishing electrical impulses from the medical device to the substrate, for ceasing the furnishing of electrical impulses to the substrate, for receiving pulsed radio frequency fields, for transmitting and receiving optical signals, and for protecting the substrate and the medical device from currents induced by the pulsed radio frequency fields. The medical device contains a control circuit comprised of a parallel resonant frequency circuit.

A non-volatile memory, which comprises an insulating substrate (11) that has a first electrode (18) that extends through the substrate from the front surface to the rear surface thereof; a second electrode (13) that is formed on one side of the insulating substrate (11); and a recording layer (12) that is clamped between the first electrode (18) and the second electrode (13) and whose resistance value varies when an electric pulse is applied across the first electrode (18) and the second electrode (13); wherein the insulating substrate (11) has a layered structure composed of an organic dielectric thin film (112) and an inorganic dielectric layer (111) that is thinner than the organic dielectric thin film (112); with the recording layer (12) being formed on the side on which the inorganic dielectric layer is formed. Use of this non-volatile memory increases the possible number of data writing cycles while saving power.