Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide improvements to an implant, a system and a method using a passive electrical conductor which routes an electrical current to either an external device or an implanted electrical device, to multiple target body tissues, and to selective target body tissues.SOLUTION: The passive electrical conductor extends from subcutaneous tissue located below either a surface cathodic electrode or a surface anodic electrode: (a) to the target tissues in order to route an electrical signal from the target body tissues to the device outside the body; (b) to the device in order to deliver the electrical current to the implanted electrical device; or (c) to the multiple target body tissues or to the selective target body tissues in order to stimulate the target body tissues. The conductor has specialized ends thereof for achieving such purposes.
Abstract:
An apparatus including a substrate, a power source, a connector, electrical circuitry, and an electrode assembly. The power source has positive and negative terminals, each coupled to the substrate and is configured to provide power to an external stimulator coupled to the apparatus. The connector is disposed proximate to the first surface of the substrate, is electrically coupled to at least one of the positive and negative terminals of the power source and is configured to electrically couple the external stimulator to the power source. The electrical circuitry is coupled to the substrate and is configured to electrically couple the connector to at least one of the positive and negative terminals. The electrode assembly is coupled to the second surface of the substrate. At least one electrode of the electrode assembly is configured to contact bodily tissue and facilitate transmission of an electrical current through the bodily tissue.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a percutaneous connection port configured to convey an electrical signal between an electrical device disposed outside of a body and an electrical member disposed within the body. The percutaneous connection port has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion includes a surface configured to be accessible from a region of the body. The distal portion includes an anchor configured to be disposed within the body. The anchor has a curved shape about an axis substantially parallel to a skin of the body.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a power adapter having a housing and a circuit at least partially disposed in the housing. The housing is configured to be coupled to an implantable device for disposition in a body. The circuit is configured to be electrically connected to a power circuit of the implantable device when the housing is coupled to the implantable electrical conductor. When the housing is coupled to the implantable electrical conductor and implanted in a body, the circuit is configured to (1) receive, transcutaneously from a power supply, a first energy, (2) convert the first energy to a second energy, and (3) transfer, to the implantable device, the second energy such that the second energy powers the implantable device.
Abstract:
A body weight support system includes a support track configured to movably suspend a trolley therefrom. A power rail of the system is coupled to the support track and is in electrical contact with the trolley. A switch included in the system has a support track portion and a power rail portion. The switch is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which a first portion of the support track and the support track portion of the switch define a first path, and a second configuration, in which a second portion of the support track and the support track portion of the switch define a second path. The trolley is configured to receive a flow of electric power from at least one of the power rail or the power rail portion of the switch that is operable to move the trolley along the first path or the second path.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a method includes implanting an implant entirely under the subject's skin. The implant includes a passive electrical conductor of sufficient length to extend from subcutaneous tissue located below one of a surface cathodic electrode and a surface anodic electrode to the tibial nerve. The surface electrodes are positioned in spaced relationship on the subject's skin, with one of the electrodes positioned over the pick-up end of the electrical conductor such that the portion of the current is transmitted through the conductor to the tibial nerve, and such that the current flows through the tibial nerve and returns to the other of the surface cathodic electrode and the surface anodic electrode. An electrical current is applied between the surface cathodic electrode and the surface anodic electrode to cause the portion of the electrical current to flow through the implant to stimulate the tibial nerve.
Abstract:
A body weight support system includes a tether configured to be coupled to an attachment device worn by a user to couple the user to the body weight support system. A method of providing gait training includes defining a reference length of the tether when the attachment device is in an initial position and defining a threshold length of the tether. A first amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to a surface and the length of the tether is less than the threshold length. A second amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to the surface and the length of the tether is greater than the threshold length. The method further includes displaying data associated with the gait training on a display of an electronic device.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a frame, a sensor, and an electric stimulator. The frame is removably couplable to a portion of a limb. The sensor is configured to produce a first signal associated with a gait characteristic at a first time, and a second signal associated with the gait characteristic at a second time, after the first time. The electric stimulator is removably coupled to the frame and is in electrical communication with an electrode assembly and the sensor to receive the first signal substantially at the first time and the second signal substantially at the second time. Based in part on the gait characteristic at the first time, the electric stimulator sends a third signal to the electrode assembly to provide an electric stimulation to a portion of a neuromuscular system of the limb substantially during a time period defined between the first time and the second time.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a frame, a sensor, and an electric stimulator. The frame is removably couplable to a portion of a limb. The sensor is configured to produce a first signal associated with a gait characteristic at a first time, and a second signal associated with the gait characteristic at a second time, after the first time. The electric stimulator is removably coupled to the frame and is in electrical communication with an electrode assembly and the sensor to receive the first signal substantially at the first time and the second signal substantially at the second time. Based in part on the gait characteristic at the first time, the electric stimulator sends a third signal to the electrode assembly to provide an electric stimulation to a portion of a neuromuscular system of the limb substantially during a time period defined between the first time and the second time.