Searching for health information on the Internet - Results from the KomPaS study.

Searching for information about health is a key component of health behaviour. It is important because information generally has a significant impact on the outcome of decision-making processes, and this also applies to informed decisions about health-related issues. Representative results from the study 'KomPaS: survey on communication and patient-safety', which was conducted by the Robert Koch Institute, demonstrate that the Internet is the most popular choice for women and men who use media to search for health information.

Needs of the population in Germany for information about health-related topics - Results from the KomPaS study.

Very few investigations have been conducted in Germany into the areas in which the population, including patients, lacks information about health-related issues. However, data from these areas provide crucial supplements to the descriptions and scientific analyses of health information behaviour that are more often available. Data on gaps in the population's knowledge about health-related issues provide indications of health policy challenges.

Mechanical fatigue resistance of an implantable branched lead system for a distributed set of longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes.

Objective: A neural interface system has been developed that consists of an implantable stimulator/recorder can with a 15-electrode lead that trifurcates into three bundles of five individual wire longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes. This work evaluated the mechanical fatigue resistance of the branched lead and distributed electrode system under conditions designed to mimic anticipated strain profiles that would be observed after implantation in the human upper arm.

Approach: Custom test setups and procedures were developed to apply linear or angular strain at four critical stress riser points on the lead and electrode system.

A functional model and simulation of spinal motor pools and intrafascicular recordings of motoneuron activity in peripheral nerve.

Decoding motor intent from recorded neural signals is essential for the development of effective neural-controlled prostheses. To facilitate the development of online decoding algorithms we have developed a software platform to simulate neural motor signals recorded with peripheral nerve electrodes, such as longitudinal intrafascicular electrodes (LIFEs). The simulator uses stored motor intent signals to drive a pool of simulated motoneurons with various spike shapes, recruitment characteristics, and firing frequencies.

A system and method to interface with multiple groups of axons in several fascicles of peripheral nerves.

Background: Several neural interface technologies that stimulate and/or record from groups of axons have been developed. The longitudinal intrafascicular electrode (LIFE) is a fine wire that can provide access to a discrete population of axons within a peripheral nerve fascicle. Some applications require, or would benefit greatly from, technology that could provide access to multiple discrete sites in several fascicles.