Case Western Reserve University

Picker International, Inc.

Synapse Biomedical, Inc.

Timothy J Crish

Kevin L Kilgore

Brian N Smith

Paul Hunter Peckham

Anthony R Ignagni

Leonard F Plut

J Thomas Mortimer

Raymond P Onders

James D Sweeney

Zhongmin Lin

James E Gelbke

A neural prosthesis includes a centralized device that can provide power, data, and clock signals to one or more individual neural prosthesis subsystems. Each subsystem may include a number of individually addressable, programmable modules that can be dynamically allocated or shared among neural prosthetic networks to achieve complex, coordinated functions or to operate in autonomous groups.

Neural prosthesis

An implantable medical electrode system for intramuscular use that is readily removable is provided, as well as methods for its use. The system includes an electrode, an electrical lead mechanically and electrically connected to the electrode and extending proximally, and a tether bonded to the electrode and extending proximally. A conductor with an insulated portion enwraps the electrical lead; an uninsulated portion enwraps the electrode. Some embodiments may include a tissue-piercing guide such as a needle. In some embodiments, the electrode includes a barb, although in some of these embodiments the tether does not extend through the barb. The method of using the system includes inserting the through a target tissue, pulling the electrode with the needle into the target tissue, and extending the electrical lead and tether proximally to an electrical connection. Methods are further provided for removing the electrode which take advantage of structural features of the system.

Removable intramuscular electrode

Implantable networked neural system

An object (,) is positioned on an object support (,). A radiation source (,) projects a beam of radiation through a region of interest (,) of the object. A plurality of focal planes (F,, F,, . . . , F,) mark the center of selected slice images through the region of interest. A gantry (,) rotates the radiation source (,) around a circular trajectory (,) as an encoder (,) monitors a radius (r) of the trajectory and an angular position (&phgr;) of the radiation source (,) around the trajectory (,). A look-up table (,) is addressed with the selected focal plane(s) (F,, F,, . . . , F,) and (r, &phgr;) to generate a correction or shift value (S,, . . . , S,.) for each selected focal plane (F,, F,, . . . , F,). A flat panel detector (,) is read out a plurality of times to generate a plurality of electronic data views as the radiation source rotates. Each view is corrected with a corresponding correction or shift value and integrated in a summation circuit (,) with preceding views to generate an image representation of the slice(s) through the selected focal plane(s) (F,, F,, . . . , F,) or a 3D volume. The slice image or 3D volume image representation is converted into a human-readable display (,) substantially in real-time, e.g., each time a preselected number of views has been summed.

Real-time tomographic system with flat panel detectors

An electrode cuff (B) including a dielectric sleeve (10) and an annular cathode electrode (20) is disposed around a nerve trunk (A). An anode electrode (22) is disposed in body fluids in electrical communication with the nerve trunk. The cathode electrode is disposed off center within the dielectric sleeve. The flow of electric current from the anode to the cathode has a much greater amplitude along the nerve in the direction extending along the nerve trunk toward the cathode from the end of the dielectric sleeve toward which the cathode electrode is closest. A signal generator (C) applies a pulse train across the anode and cathode electrodes. The pulse train includes a plurality of alternating first amplitude pulse portions (40) and opposite polarity pulse portions (42). Each first polarity pulse includes a sharp leading edge (50) which rises abruptly to a preset amplitude (52). A trailing edge (56) of each first pulse portion decays smoothly into a leading edge (60) of each opposite polarity pulse portion without a discontinuity therebetween. The opposite polarity pulse portion has an amplitude (62) which is smaller than the triggering amplitude and a duration which is longer than the first polarity pulse portion duration. The amplitude and duration of the first and opposite polarity pulse portions are selected such that the net charge transfer in each direction is substantially the same.

Antidromic pulse generating wave form for collision blocking

Growing community of inventors

Strongsville, OH, United States of America

Timothy J Crish