284 results about "REFLEX DECREASE" patented technology

Method and system to provide therapy for obesity and gastrointestinal disorders such as FGIDs, gastroparesis, gastro-esophageal reflex disease (GERD), pancreatitis and ileus comprises vagal blocking and/or vagal stimulation. Vagal blocking may be in the afferent or efferent direction, and may be with or without stimulation pulses. Blocking may be provided by one of a number of different electrical blocking techniques. Electrical signals may be provided with an external stimulator in conjunction with an implanted stimulus-receiver, or an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for temporary power source. In one embodiment, the external stimulator may comprise an optional telemetry unit. The addition of the telemetry unit to the external stimulator provides the ability to remotely interrogate and change stimulation programs over a wide area network, as well as other networking capabilities,

A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.

A communication robot control system displays a selection input screen for supporting input of actions of a communication robot. The selection input screen displays in a user-selectable manner a list of a plurality of behaviors including not only spontaneous actions but also reactive motions (reflex behaviors) in response to behavior of a person as a communication partner, and a list of emotional expressions to be added to the behaviors. According to a user's operation, the behavior and the emotional expression to be performed by the communication robot are selected and decided. Then, reproductive motion information for interactive actions including reactive motions and emotional interactive actions, is generated based on input history of the behavior and the emotional expression.

An oral pacifier apparatus is disclosed for use by infants and young children to promote soothing oral stimulation and for administering fluids and liquid medications. The pacifier apparatus includes a nipple, a shield, a removable access assembly, and a detachable, refillable reservoir. Furthermore, the nipple includes a linear array of nipple holes which directs fluid flow to physiologic gutters adjacent to the tongue of the user, thereby avoiding stimulating the gag reflex. The method of using the pacifier apparatus to treat dehydration is also disclosed.

System and method for positively identifying an operator through biometric means which shall prevent unauthorized or impaired operation of a motor vehicle by requiring the potential operator to sequentially energize several vehicle devices, within a set time period, prior to placing the vehicle ignition into a start position. The system includes a device for measuring an operator's biometric identification, and a microcontroller. Logic outputs from the sequencing mechanism and the timer mechanism are contained within the microcontroller operating as a logic decoder that is used to control the vehicle ignition circuit. The microcontroller monitors the sequence in which the vehicle's devices are energized, and if they are energized within the correct order and within the predetermined amount of time then the microcontroller will output a signal to allow the ignition circuit to close. A sensory indicator may alert the potential operator as to the condition of the microcontroller output. An unauthorized user is inhibited from operating the motor vehicle because their identification could not be biometrically established and/or the performance sequence is unknown to him/her. Slower reflex times or impaired motor skills may also prevent an impaired operator from performing the proper sequence within the predetermined time period.

A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Systems and methods affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter and/or serve to mediate or moderate receptive relaxation of muscles in the stomach, to treat or mitigate various physiologic conditions, such as obesity, biliary reflex, GERD, and/or Barrett's esophagus. The systems and methods may be used as either a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

The present invention relates to an image capturing device for reflex reduction, comprising at least one wave emitter (2) for emitting electromagnetic waves towards the object and at least one image capturing device (1), directed towards the object. The wave emitter (2) is arranged to emit said waves towards the object alternately from at least two points, said points being separated such a distance (B) that disturbing reflexes, resulting from waves emitted from different points and appearing in an image captured with said image capturing device, are seperable. Further, the device comprises processing means (7), adapted to receive at least two images, acquired with illumination from different angles, and to generate a reflex reduced image.

An ocular system for detecting ocular abnormalities and conditions creates photorefractive digital images of a patient's retinal reflex. The system includes a computer control system, a two-dimensional array of infrared irradiation sources and a digital infrared image sensor. The amount of light provided by the array of irradiation sources is adjusted by the computer so that ocular signals from the image sensor are within a targeted range. Enhanced, adaptive, photorefraction is used to observe and measure the optical effects of Keratoconus. Multiple near-infrared (NIR) sources are preferably used with the photorefractive configuration to quantitatively characterize the aberrations of the eye. The infrared light is invisible to a patient and makes the procedure more comfortable than current ocular examinations.

An ophthalmic fluid atomizer configured to safely deliver an ophthalmic fluid, the ophthalmic fluid atomizer including a body having a proximal end and a distal end and a reservoir connected to the body, wherein the reservoir contains an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein, wherein the ophthalmic fluid is selected from the group consisting of a decongestant and a tear substitute. The atomizer further includes a discharge plate disposed at the distal end, wherein the discharge plate includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The atomizer further includes a propulsion means for transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the reservoir to the discharge plate, wherein transmission of the ophthalmic fluid across the discharge plate generates a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum that has a magnitude that is insufficient to trigger at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye.

Devices and methods to heat and cool human beings, including inducing and maintaining hypothermia in human patients. Methods include inducing hypothermia to treat ischemic events, including heart attack and stroke, to limit damage caused by the ischemic event. Methods can include: using the lungs for heat exchange; using cooled gases for ventilation; using helium in the ventilation gas mixture, using medications to control reflex heat production; and injecting a perfluorocarbon mist into the gas stream to increase the cooling rate. The high thermal conductivity and diffusivity of helium results in greater inspired gas temperature equalization toward body temperature. Due to the latent heat of vaporization, addition of even small quantity of phase-change perfluorocarbon dramatically increases the heat carrying capacity of the respiratory gases. Hypothermia may be terminated by discontinuing the medications and warming the patient using a warmed helium-oxygen mixture.

The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient's mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.

The invention relates to an exoskeleton walk-assisting robot for old people and a bionic control method for anti-falling gaits. The exoskeleton walk-assisting robot comprises exoskeleton trunk components, joint components, an action control unit, an auxiliary unit and a power supply, wherein the exoskeleton trunk components are connected to a lower body of a user and assist the user to complete stand and walking actions; the joint components are connected with the exoskeleton trunk components and enable the exoskeleton trunk components to bend and stretch; the action control unit is capable of acquiring acceleration and angular speed signals during walking of the robot in real time, processing the signals and generating corresponding motion signals so as to control actions of the exoskeleton trunk components and to finish motion generation and reverse solution; and the power supply provides energy for the whole device. The exoskeleton walk-assisting robot for the old people is compact in structure, good in control effect, capable of acquiring accelerations in three directions and angular speeds in two directions in real time and judging falling states of the exoskeleton walk-assisting robot comprehensively, integrated with a posture reflex mechanism of human bodies and suitable for unknown unstructured complex terrains.

Methods and systems for monitoring, preventing and/or treating upper airway disorders such as apnea, dysphagia, reflux and/or snoring are described. The methods and systems monitor the upper airway disorders by processing one or more neural signals obtained from one or more upper airway afferents. Upper airway disorders are prevented and/or treated by delivering one or more stimulations to one or more reflex-related afferents, efferents, muscles, and sensory receptors to manipulate the threshold and/or trigger an upper airway reflex including, but not limited to a swallow reflex and/or a negative-pressure reflex.

A system and method for training a subject for control processes, preferably for a particular task. The task may optionally comprise a sport, such as basketball for example; additionally or alternatively, the task may comprise an area of skills to be improved, such as general improvement of physical reflexes and/or reactions. The present invention enables cognitive skills associated with the task to be improved, without requiring physical fidelity to the physical actions that are normally performed during the actual task. Improving these cognitive skills results in improved control processes during performance of the actual task by the subject.

An ultrasonic reflex imaging device and a method are described. A device according to the invention may include a platen, a generator, and a receiver positioned between the platen and the generator. A backer may be positioned so that the insonification device is between the receiver array and the backer. The backer may be configured to absorb or delay energy that originated from the generator. The generator produces an energy pulse, which travels through the receiver and the platen to reach a biological object. Part of the energy pulse is reflected from the biological object. The reflected energy pulse travels through the platen to the detector. The detector converts the reflect energy pulse to electric signals, which are then interpreted to create an image of the biological object.

A method and system for fitting a multichannel cochlear implant system to a patient increases the percentage of patients for which stapedial reflexes can be obtained, and increases the accuracy of predicting the “live speech” comfort levels of the patient's fitting programs from the stapedial reflex. Electrical stimuli are applied on multiple electrodes at “live speech” pulse rates. The neural excitation patterns elicited from such stimulation more closely resemble that which occurs when the system is subjected to normal speech patterns. By progressively setting threshold levels in bands, e.g., groups of electrodes, either overlapping or non-overlapping, as well as with a final check by globally adjusting the band obtained contour to the stapedial reflex, such values more closely resemble actual “live speech” program levels than those obtained with traditional methods. Further, broader excitation patterns produced by the activation of multiple electrodes increases the probability of obtaining reflex measurements where single electrode stimulation fails due to sparse neural survival.

A system and method for locating and modeling eyes in imagery for automated photorefractive screening. The invention includes a digital camera having a lens-mounted flash for obtaining a digital image of the face of an individual, and a suitably programmed processor, such as a general purpose digital computer, for locating an eye of the individual in the digital image, modeling structures in the eye, analyzing the digitized eyes of the individual for eye disease, and providing a recommendation for treatment. In one aspect, the invention includes a system and method for locating a patient's eyes in a digital image that includes each eye as illuminated by a near-axis flash, including automatically finding light reflexes in the digital images as indicative of the location of each eye. Automatically finding light reflexes includes analyzing such light reflexes to determine possible pupil and sclera borders. The invention further includes automatically fitting a corresponding model to such possible pupil and sclera borders, analyzing the model of each eye to determine possible abnormalities in each eye; and outputting a possible diagnosis for each eye based on such analyzing. Other aspects of the invention include measuring retinal reflexes and corneal reflexes from the indicated eye models as an indicator of anomalies in the patient's eyes, and generating a digital image of each of a patient's eyes with a camera having a flash positioned near to a center line of a lens of the camera so as to generate images with bright, sharp light reflexes.

An apparatus and method for enabling selective stimulation of oculomotor reflexes involved in retinal image stability. The apparatus enables real-time modification of auditory and visual stimuli according to the patient's head movements, and allows the generation of stimuli that integrate vestibular and visual reflexes. The use of accessories allow the modification of somatosensory stimuli to increase the selective capacity of the apparatus. The method involves generation of visual and auditory stimuli, measurement of patient response and modification of stimuli based on patient response. The apparatus and method may include a vestibular rehabilitation unit (VRU) and a remote training unit (RTU). Instructions may be transmitted from the VRU to the RTU, and information of detected responses may be transmitted from the RTU to the VRU.

An ophthalmic fluid delivery environment that includes a human eye in an open position and an atomizer having a nozzle aimed at the human eye in the open position, wherein a plume of ophthalmic fluid mist is directed by the nozzle so that the mist is received by the human eye in the open position and the received mist has a momentum that is insufficient to trigger to at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the human eye that receives the mist.

Devices, systems and methods are provided for the targeted treatment of movement disorders. Typically, the systems and devices are used to stimulate one or more dorsal root ganglia while minimizing or excluding undesired stimulation of other tissues, such as surrounding or nearby tissues, ventral root and portions of the anatomy associated with body regions which are not targeted for treatment. The dorsal root ganglia are utilized in particular due to their specialized role in movement. It is in these areas that sensory fibers are isolated from motor fibers. Sensory fibers are involved in a variety of reflexes that are involved in movement control, and these reflexes can be utilized in the treatment of various movement disorders. Thus, by stimulating sensory fibers in these areas, fundamental reflexes can be affected to lessen the symptoms of movement disorders.