A method for perfusing a biocompatible material graft with a perfusion liquid includes the steps of: introducing the graft (100) in a perfusion chamber (2), arranging a transfer chamber (3) partly filled with the perfusion liquid (101), coupling in a tight manner the perfusion chamber (2) and the transfer chamber (3) for establishing a fluid communication between them, lowering the pressure in the transfer chamber (3) for transferring therein part of the air existing in the perfusion chamber (2), increasing the pressure within the transfer chamber (3) for injecting in the perfusion chamber (2) the perfusion liquid (101) existing in the transfer chamber (3). A perfusion kit includes a perfusion chamber (2) apt to contain a graft (100) to be perfused with a liquid (101) and a transfer chamber (3) apt to contain a liquid (101) to be perfused, the perfusion chamber (2) being connectable in a tight manner with the transfer chamber (3) for allowing a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and inhibiting a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and the external environment.

A method is described for improving the uniformity over a predetermined substrate area of a spectral response of photonic devices fabricated in a thin device layer. The method includes (i) establishing an initial device layer thickness map for the predetermined area, (ii) establishing a linewidth map for the predetermined area, and (iii) establishing an etch depth map for the predetermined area. The method further includes, based on the initial device layer thickness map, the linewidth map and the etch depth map, calculating an optimal device layer thickness map and a corresponding thickness correction map for the predetermined substrate area taking into account photonic device design data. Still further, the method includes performing a location specific corrective etch process in accordance with the thickness correction map.

A solution-processed organic electronic structural element has an improved electrode layer. Located between the active organic layer and the electrode layer there is either an interface or an interlayer containing a cesium salt.

A method for preparing a metal sulfide thin film using ALD and structures incorporating the metal sulfide thin film. The method includes providing an ALD reactor, a substrate, a first precursor comprising a metal and a second precursor comprising a sulfur compound. The first and the second precursors are reacted in the ALD precursor to form a metal sulfide thin film on the substrate. In a particular embodiment, the metal compound comprises Bis(N,N'-di-sec-butylacetamidinato)dicopper(I) and the sulfur compound comprises hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to prepare a Cu2S film. The resulting metal sulfide thin film may be used in among other devices, photovoltaic devices, including interdigitated photovoltaic devices that may use relatively abundant materials for electrical energy production.

A method of manufacturing a silver miniwire film is provided, wherein the film exhibits a reduced sheet resistance.

An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of styrene-butadiene latexes. The styrene-butadiene latex according to the present invention is characterized by having a superior adhesive force as the formation of films at an early stage is promoted by adjusting the gel content and molecular weight of the outermost layer, as well as a fast ink-drying speed and a high air permeability as the formation of paper films is maintained. It may be applied to paper coating very stably since the mechanical stability and chemical stability of the latex are superior.

Provided is a method for producing a transparent conductive film which is formed via a coating step, a drying step and a baking step, wherein the baking step is characterized in that the dried coating film containing the organic metal compound as the main component is baked by being heated to a baking temperature or higher, at which at least the inorganic component is crystallized, under an oxygen-containing atmosphere having a dewpoint of −10° C. or lower, whereby an organic component contained in the dried coating film is removed therefrom by a heat decomposition, a combustion or the combination thereof to thereby form a conductive oxide microparticle layer densely filled with conductive oxide microparticles containing the metal oxide as a main component.

An inorganic nanolayer surface coated polymer film product is disclosed with enhancements such as improved metallization capability, low cost, low polymer additives and modifiers, improved recyclability, and good web properties. Also method for priming a flexible film substrate to enhance the reactivity or wettability of the substrate for metallization is disclosed. A substrate film is coated with one or more nanolayers of a metal or metal oxide applied by CCVD and/or PECVD at open atmosphere. The deposited coating acts to enhance the surface energy of the film substrate and to and reduce the surface gauge variation of the substrate or supporting film, thereby enhancing the wettability of the film substrate for metallization and/or to improve the anti-block characteristics of the film. The deposited coatings may also act as a barrier layer for lowering the permeability of light, gas and vapor transmission through the substrate.

Vacuum deposited thin films of material are described to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nanostructured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns.

A method of applying particles to a backing having a make layer on one of the backing's opposed major surfaces. The method including the steps of: supporting the particles on a feeding member having a feeding surface such that the particles settle into one or more layers on the feeding surface; the feeding surface and the backing being arranged in a non-parallel manner; and translating the particles from the feeding surface to the backing and attaching the particles to the make layer by an electrostatic force.

According to the embodiments, a pattern formation method includes a process of formation of a self-assembly material layer containing at least a first segment and a second segment on a substrate having a guide layer, a process of formation of a neutralization coating on the self-assembly material layer, and a process of formation of a self-assembly pattern including a first region containing the first segment and a second region containing the second segment following phase separation of the self-assembly material layer.

A method is disclosed for curing ink printed images on golf balls by printing an image onto a golf ball and exposing the printed image to infrared radiation, then exposing the printed image to ultraviolet radiation.

A magnetic data storage medium may include a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective carbon overcoat, and a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms adjacent a surface of the protective carbon overcoat. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the monolayer comprises at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and a fluoro-organic molecule. In some embodiments, a surface of a read and recording head may also include a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms of a protective carbon overcoat.

A fabrication of a zeolite composite film includes mixing a composition of water, aluminum isopropoxide, TMAOH, and TEOS according to a set ratio, followed by stirring and heating to obtain a mixture; performing a centrifugation on the mixture to obtain an upper layer suspension; preparing a mesoporous particle suspension that includes a plurality of mesoporous particles, and each mesoporous particle includes a plurality of templating agents; vaporizing a mixture suspension formed from both the upper layer suspension and the mesoporous particle suspension to form a plurality of vaporized droplets; depositing the vaporized droplets on a heated substrate while removing the templating agents to form the zeolite composite film with a plurality of macroporous, mesoporous and microporous structures.

Methods for formation of silicon carbide on substrate are provided. Atomic layer deposition methods of forming silicon carbide are described in which a first reactant gas of the formula SinHaXb wherein n=1-5, a+b=2n+2, a>0, and X=F, Cl, Br, I; and a second reactant gas of the formula MR3-bYb, wherein R is a hydrocarbon containing substituent, Y is a halide, hydride or other ligand and b=1-3 are sequentially deposited on a substrate and then exposed to a plasma. The process can be repeated multiple times to deposit a plurality of silicon carbide layers.

Provided are superhydrophobic coatings, devices and articles including superhydrophobic coatings, and methods for preparing the superhydrophobic coatings. The exemplary superhydrophobic device can include a substrate component and one or more superhydrophobic coatings disposed over the substrate component, wherein at least one of the one or more superhydrophobic coatings has a water contact angle of at least about 150° and a contact angle hysteresis of less than about 1°. The one or more superhydrophobic coatings can include an ultra high water content acid catalyzed polysilicate gel, the polysilicate gel including a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups derivatized with a silylating agent and a plurality of pores.

A thin-film manufacturing method includes the steps of: generating a plasma from source gas; extracting ions from the plasma; and depositing a thin film on one side or both sides of a substrate to be deposited with the ions. The method is performed in an apparatus including: a plasma chamber generating the plasma; a film deposition chamber accommodating the substrate to be deposited; an ion transfer path for transferring the ions from the plasma chamber to the film deposition chamber; a branch pipe branching from the ion transfer path; and an exhaust system connected to the branch pipe. The thin film is formed while the source gas except the ions is exhausted from the branch pipe.

The invention relates to the application of a coating to a substrate in which the coating includes a polymer material and the coating is selectively fluorinated and/or cured to improve the liquid repellance of the same. The invention also provides for the selective fluorination and/or curing of selected areas of the coating thus, when completed, providing a coating which has regions of improved liquid repellance with respect to the remaining regions and which remaining regions may be utilized as liquid collection areas.

Provided are methods of depositing polymer solutions on substrates to form various optical elements. A polymer solution may include about 0.1%-30% by weight of a specific polymer having rigid rod-like molecules. The molecules may include various cores, spacers, and sides groups to ensure their solubility, viscosity, and cross-linking ability. The deposition techniques may include slot die, spray, molding, roll coating, and so forth. Pre-deposition techniques may be used to improve wettability and adhesion of substrates. Post-deposition techniques may include ultraviolet cross-linking, specific drying techniques, evaporation of solvent, treating with salt solutions, and shaping. The disclosed polymers and deposition processes may yield optical elements with high refractive index values, such as greater than 1.6. These optical elements may be used as +A plates, −C plates, or biaxial polymers and used as retarders in LCD active panels or as light collimators and light guides.

An intracorporeal autonomous active medical device having a capsule body and a base. The capsule body includes a body portion and a lid portion, and the capsule body contains therein electronic circuitry containing the active elements of the autonomous medical device, and a power supply. The capsule body also includes a fastening system on an exterior surface of the capsule body that is configured to correspond with a fastening mechanism on the base configured to be anchored to a tissue wall. The fastening mechanism provides selective engagement between the capsule body and the base.

An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced Current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead. For example, an IMD can include at least one outer conductive member and a first electrode. The first electrode can be in electrical communication with the at least one outer conductive member. The first electrode can dissipate a current induced in the at least one outer conductive member via a first portion of the anatomical structure.

A family of catheter electrode assemblies includes a flexible circuit having a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate; a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the electrode. A non-contact electrode mapping catheter includes an outer tubing having a longitudinal axis, a deployment member, and a plurality of splines, at least one of the plurality of splines comprising a flexible circuit including a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate, a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the ring electrode. A method of constructing the family of catheter electrode assemblies is also provided.

A retractable screw-type stimulation or defibrillation intracardiac lead is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the lead comprises a flexible hollow sheath (12) having at its distal end a lead head (10) and a connector (66) at its proximal end. The connector comprises a pin (62) connected to a lead head electrode (18). The lead head comprises a tubular body (28), at least one electrode (18, 20) for stimulation or defibrillation, a moving element translationally and rotationally moving within the tubular body in a helical motion, an anchoring screw (24) axially moving with respect to the tubular body, and a deployment mechanism (22) to deploy the anchoring screw out of the tubular body (28). The lead is a co-radial type, and the moving element (26) secured to the anchoring screw is connected to the tubular body (28) by a helical guide (46) and a coupling finger (56) protruding between two successive turns of the helical guide (46) for transforming a rotary movement imparted to the lead body in a deployment or retraction movement of the moving element (26). The helical guide (46) is resiliently compressible, with a free end (52) with a flat area (54) facing a flange (38) in vis-à-vis, so as to pinch the coupling finger (56) and to perform the function of a clutch limiting the torque transmitted to the anchoring screw by the rotation of the lead body, even in case of continuation of this rotation.

The present invention relates to a system and method for using the system. In particular, the present invention relates to an application, executable by a processing device to assess the organization of a non-nutritive suck (NNS) pattern of a patient and to entrain an organized NNS pattern in the patient. The software system receives data from an orofacial stimulation appliance to assess the patient's natural NNS pattern and generates a precise therapeutic pulse profile that is actuated as a tactile stimulus via the orofacial stimulation appliance to entrain an organized NNS pattern.

The portable, wearable, proximal Alzheimer's disease treatment invention is based upon creating an RF field of particular frequencies and intensities that are applied to the patient's head. To accomplish the aforementioned disease treatment functionality, a system was invented comprising a network of antennas connected to an RF generator via a feedline connector. The invention also provides methods for using measurements to monitor and manage the effectiveness of an ongoing disease treatment regimen, and databases which contain information about measurements, variables, and their relationships to clinical outcome.

Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus and method for treatment of pain by a device that provides transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The device includes an applicator equipped with an electric pulse provider that sends an electric pulse to a set of electrodes disposed in an applicator head. The device is placed onto the skin of a patient's body at the point where the patient experiences pain and such that the electrodes of the device contact the skin of the patient while an insulating land area between the electrodes compresses the nerve during transmittal of the electric pulse through the electrodes and into the patient's body.

A textile for providing traditional Chinese medicine therapy to a wearer using electronic stimulation includes at least two conductive paths that are made from conductive textile material, the conductive paths are separated by nonconductive textile material, at least one pair of electrodes attach to the conductive paths corresponding to specific part of body or acupoints according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, and an electronic stimulation signal controller configured to conduct electronic stimulation signals to the electrodes via the conductive paths.

An electrode assembly that includes an electrically conductive layer, a first impedance reduction system, and a second impedance reduction system. The electrically conductive layer forms an electrode portion of the electrode assembly and a first surface to be placed adjacent a person's skin. The first impedance reduction system is configured to dispense a first amount of an electrically conductive gel onto the first surface of the electrically conductive layer in response to a first activation signal. The second impedance reduction system is configured to dispense a second amount of the electrically conductive gel onto the first surface of the electrically conductive layer in response to a second activation signal.

A system and method for treatment of skin including a treatment surface having numerous small energy emitting points for fractional skin treatment as well as negative pressure outlets. During a treatment, negative pressure from the outlets may exert a pulling force on an opposing tissue surface to bring the tissue into contact with the energy points.

Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation.

A thermal therapy device comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container containing a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble hydrophillic absorbers, a hydrating liquid mixture comprising water, means for physically separating at least two adjacent absorbers thereby providing a means for preventing clumping, and a plurality of insulating members. The means for preventing clumping maintaining the pliability of the device in a frozen state after prolonged and extend cycles of freezing/thawing. A rigid storage container is also provided.

A component for a laser tool, the component comprising: a tubular body defining an internal channel and an aperture; and a window disposed across the aperture and bonded to the tubular body around the aperture, wherein the window is diamond, and wherein the tubular body comprises a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion α of 14×10−6 K−1 or less at 20° C. and a thermal conductivity of 60 Wm−1K−1 or more at 20° C.

One aspect relates to a housing for an active implantable medical device, whereby the housing, at least parts thereof, includes an electrically insulating ceramic material, and has at least one electrically conductive conducting element, whereby the at least one conducting element is set up to establish at least one electrically conductive connection between an internal space of the housing and an external space. One aspect provides the at least one conducting element to include at least one cermet, whereby the housing and the at least one conducting element are connected in a firmly bonded manner.

A disclosed telemetry system comprises an Nth number of telemetry devices and an equal number of standard disposable circular electrode patches. A body of each telemetry device in the system includes a female snap receptor configured to attach to a single male snap post of an electrode patch. A wireless transmitter module is disposed immediately around and in direct connection with each female snap receptor. Each wireless transmitter module transmits a signal from the respective female snap receptor to a receiver. A wireless receiver module is configured to receive and to process an Nth number of transmitted signals from the Nth number of telemetry devices into an Nth−1 number of signals where the number of signals is greater than zero. There are Nth−1 number of signals because at least one of the Nth telemetry devices is configured as a ground reference for the rest of the Nth telemetry devices.

The system for displaying muscle force data includes a wearable patch and a remote visual display. The wearable patch carries electrodes suitable for sensing electromyographic signals on the skin of the patient. The patch carries circuitry which converts the detected electromyographic signal to a digital output which can be transmitted to the remote visual display. The circuitry relies on filtering to produce a usable digital signal at very low power consumption. The transmitted signal can be used to drive a variety of visual displays, including a conventional hand-held personal communicators and entertainment devices which had been programmed to suitably process the visual display.

A method for localizing a needle to a nerve, the method comprising: using the needle to electrically stimulate the nerve, with a known current intensity, so as to evoke a nerve response;detecting the nerve response;analyzing the detected nerve response so as to identify at least one attribute of the same; andconfirming that the needle is in the immediate proximity of the nerve based upon known current intensity and at least one identified attribute of the detected nerve response.

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode.

Methods and devices for cardiac signal analysis in implantable cardiac therapy systems. Several signal processing and/or conditioning methods are shown including R-wave detection embodiments including the use of thresholds related to previous peak amplitudes. Also, some embodiments include sample thresholding to remove extraneous data from sampled signals. Some embodiments include weighting certain samples more heavily than other samples within a sampled cardiac signal for analysis.

One or more temporal stimulation parameters of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are selected to substantially modulate one or more target physiological functions without substantially modulating one or more non-target physiological functions. In one embodiment, a stimulation duty cycle is selected such that VNS is delivered to the cervical vagus nerve trunk to modulate a cardiovascular function without causing laryngeal muscle contractions.

Methods and devices for determining optimal Atrial to Ventricular (AV) pacing intervals and Ventricular to Ventricular (VV) delay intervals in order to optimize cardiac output. Impedance, preferably sub-threshold impedance, is measured across the heart at selected cardiac cycle times as a measure of chamber expansion or contraction. One embodiment measures impedance over a long AV interval to obtain the minimum impedance, indicative of maximum ventricular expansion, in order to set the AV interval. Another embodiment measures impedance change over a cycle and varies the AV pace interval in a binary search to converge on the AV interval causing maximum impedance change indicative of maximum ventricular output. Another method varies the right ventricle to left ventricle (VV) interval to converge on an impedance maximum indicative of minimum cardiac volume at end systole. Another embodiment varies the VV interval to maximize impedance change.

An implantable medical device lead having a flow measurement sensor mounted thereon is provided with a capsule mounted proximate to the sensor. The capsule is used to house electrical circuitry corresponding to the sensor in order to prevent impedance on conductors of the lead, which gradually decreases over chronic periods, from directly affecting signal transmission between the sensor and the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry includes a charge amplifier used for processing signals from the sensor. In some cases, the amplifier can be initially calibrated and periodically tuned so as to have consistent functioning with the sensor over chronic periods.

Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate.

It is critical in an inductively link medical implant, such as a visual prosthesis or other neural stimulator, to adjust the external coil to a location to maximize communication between the external coil and internal coil. Converting the signal strength between the coils to a signal easily discernible by a clinician, preferably an audible tone, facilitates the adjustment of the external coil to a preferred location.

A housing for an electrostimulation device comprising a charger plug and a stimulation plug, designed to receive respectively a connector linked to a charger and a connector linked to a stimulation electrode, characterized in that it comprises a mobile locking element designed to alternately lock the charger plug or the stimulation plug.

An electro-stimulation device for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is reversibly compressible and is fully self-contained. The device requires no external power sources or control and may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the device may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed. The device utilizes a compressible electrode component.

The present invention provides a closed-loop system for treating neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. In one embodiment the system comprises an input assembly that is adapted to receive one or more signals from a patient that are indicative of a patient's neurological state. The input assembly processes the one or more signals to generate one or more control input signals. An output assembly receives the one or more control input signals from the input assembly and generate a neuromodulation signal that is a function of the patient's neurological state. An electrode array is configured to deliver the neuromodulation signal to a patient's peripheral nerve, such as the vagus nerve.

Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.

Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.

An implantable head-mounted unibody peripheral neurostimulation system is provided for implantation in the head for the purpose of treating chronic head pain, including migraine. The system may include an implantable pulse generator (IPG) from which multiple stimulating leads may extend sufficient to allow for adequate stimulation over multiple regions of the head, preferably including the frontal, parietal and occipital regions. A lead may include an extended body, along which may be disposed a plurality of surface metal electrodes, which may be sub-divided into a plurality of electrode arrays. A plurality of internal metal wires may run a portion of its length and connect the IPG's internal circuit to the surface metal electrodes. The IPG may include a rechargeable battery, an antenna, and an application specific integrated circuit. The IPG may be capable of functional connection with an external radiofrequency unit for purposes that may include recharging, diagnostic evaluation, and programming.