摘要:
An implantable system control unit (SCU) includes means for measuring tissue impedance or other condition to determine allograft health, in order to predict or detect allograft rejection. The SCU also includes at least two electrodes coupled to means for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient within whom the device is implanted, and may also include a reservoir for holding one or more drugs and a driver means for delivering the drug(s) to the patient. In certain embodiments, 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 stimulation parameters. Alternatively, this sensory “SCU” sounds an alarm, communicates an alarm to an external device, and/or is responsive to queries regarding sensed information, such as tissue impedance.
摘要:
A method for treating a patient may include treating coronary artery disease in combination with angina pectoris and/or the control of angina pain by delivering chemical and/or electrical stimulation pulses to the cardiac and/or nervous tissue of the patient in a coordinated manner. A system for treating a patient suffering from coronary artery disease and angina may include a stimulator that generates at least one pulse in accordance with prescribed parameters, a catheter, a lead, and/or a sensor.
摘要:
Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values. These corrected impedance values may also be mapped and stored to facilitate a comparison with subsequent corrected impedance measurement values. Such comparison allows a determination to be made as to whether the lead position and/or orientation has changed appreciably over time. In another embodiment, one or more electrodes are stimulated and the resulting electric field potential on the non-stimulated electrodes is measured. Such field potential measurements provide an indication of the relative orientation of the electrodes. Once known, the relative orientation may be used to track lead migration, to setup stimulation configurations and parameters for nominal stimulation and/or navigation. Also, such measurements allow automatic adjustment of stimulation energy to a previously-defined optimal potential field in the case of lead migration or postural changes.
摘要:
Peptide and peptides that may be covalently linked to a lipid and methods of using such peptides and lipopeptides to prevent or treat disease are disclosed herein.
摘要:
Methods for selecting stimulation parameter sets guide a clinician towards an effective set(s) of stimulation parameters. The clinician first evaluates the effectiveness of a small number of trial stimulation parameters sets from a Measurement Table comprising for example, four stimulation parameter sets, measuring the perception threshold and maximum threshold levels. The maximum comfortable step size and desired field shift resolution are determined, and are used along with the measured threshold levels to determine an appropriate step size to use in the current steering process. In order to maintain paresthesia at a relatively constant level during the steering process, a Superposition Equalization (SEQ) algorithm is used to compensate for the physical characteristics of the lead array, i.e., electrode separation and size. A multiplier is determined and a modifying function is used to apply this multiplier to the electrode energy output during transition to maintain a relatively constant current density.
摘要:
A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.
摘要:
A denture accessories carrying case having a form factor which belies its true function. In one embodiment, a carrying case comprises a container portion and a lid in a hinged, “clam-shell” relationship. The carrying case is configured to be of a size and shape that bears at least a passing resemblance to a common, everyday item not normally associated with dentures or denture accessories. In one embodiment, the carrying case is configured to resemble a typical cellular telephone, and is capable of containing a denture cleaning brush having a foreshortened handle alongside a small tube of denture adhesive.
摘要:
A method for the rapid detection of actively respiring microorganisms comprises the steps of detecting the presence of microorganisms utilizing microbial enzymatic conversion of tetrazolium salts to formazan products, detecting the presence of formazan product.
摘要翻译:用于快速检测积极呼吸微生物的方法包括以下步骤:利用微生物将四唑盐微生物酶转化成甲an an an an of of,an an an an an an an an an an an an an an an an an an
摘要:
A vehicle opening covering assembly for recreational vehicles includes a panel that is flexible. The panel is substantially rectangularly shaped and water resistant. The panel is configured to couple to a recreational vehicle such that panel is configured to cover an opening, such as a window, of the recreational vehicle.
摘要:
The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bidirectional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.