Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing compensation of the body to therapy delivered by an implanted medical device are described herein. The disclosed techniques cause a change from one therapy protocol to another therapy protocol based on the occurrence of an event (e.g., time, user activations of a sensor, input from a physiological sensor, etc.). The therapy protocols of the implanted medical device differ in terms of the on-time and off-time, but effectuate the same or similar duty cycle.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for affecting neuromodulation based upon an evoking signal applied to a patient's body. An internal and/or external evoking and/or therapeutic signal is applied to a first target portion of a patient's body. Data relating to a physiological response resulting from the internal and/or external evoking and/or therapeutic signal is received. A neurotransmission characteristic of the patient's body is determined based upon the data relating to the physiological response. At least one parameter defining an electrical therapeutic signal provided by an implantable medical device is controlled based upon the determined neurotransmission characteristic to treat a disorder.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing an adaptive stimulation process using medical imaging feedback data for affecting an operation of an implantable medical device. The first stimulation signal is applied to a neural structure for modulation of a target portion of the patient's brain associated with a disorder. Medical imaging data is acquired that is indicative of whether the target portion of the brain is modulated as a result of the first stimulation signal. The first signal characteristic is modified to generate a second stimulation signal in response to a determination that said target portion of the brain is not modulated as a result of said first stimulation signal. The first and second stimulation signals may be used to navigate an effect of the first and second stimulation signals until a targeted portion of the human body is stimulated according to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and device for treating epilepsy are disclosed which provide for electrical, chemical or magnetic stimulation of certain areas of the brain to modulate neuronal activity of areas associated with symptoms of epilepsy. Deep brain stimulation is combined with vagus nerve stimulation to enhance symptomatic relief of the disorder. Some embodiments also employ a sensing capability to optimize the therapeutic treatment regimen.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing an electrical neurostimulation therapy to a neural structure of a patient's body using an implantable medical device (IMD). A first electrical signal is provided using the implantable medical device. A first electrical signal is applied to the neural structure. An implanted sensor is provided. A physiological parameter is sensed using the implanted sensor. The physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of a neurotransmitter parameter, a neurotransmitter breakdown product parameter, a neuropeptide parameter, and a glucocorticoid (GC) parameter. The first electrical signal is modified based upon the sensed physiological parameter to generate a second electrical signal. The second electrical signal is applied to the neural structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems of treating a patient having an eating disorder involving coupling at least one electrode to at least one cranial nerve of the patient, implanting a sensory stimulation device in the patient, applying a sensory stimulus to the patient using the sensory stimulation device, detecting the patient's response to the sensory stimulus, and applying an electrical signal to the cranial nerve using the electrode after detecting the response to treat the eating disorder. The methods and systems are effective in treating bulimia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a gastrointestinal disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of a vagus nerve of the patient. The portion of the a vagus nerve may include an esophageal plexus, a myenteric plexus of aurbach, a submucous plexus of the meissner, a principal nerve of the lesser curvature of the stomach, and a gastric branch of said vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the gastrointestinal disorder.

Abstract: A method, system, and an apparatus for stimulating a cranial nerve of a patient to treat a disorder, such as a metabolic or an endocrine disorder associated with the thyroid gland with an implantable medical device are provided. The method comprises coupling an electrode to the cranial nerve selected from the group consisting of a vagus nerve, a trigeminal nerve, and a glossopharyngeal nerve. The method further includes generating an electrical signal to treat a disorder associated with the thyroid gland. The electrical signal may be applied to the cranial nerve using the electrode to provide electrical nerve stimulation therapy to the patient. For treating a patient with a metabolic or an endocrine disorder associated with the thyroid gland, a neurostimulator may be adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to the vagus nerve and/or a branch of the vagus nerve associated with the thyroid gland.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating a patient having a vocal cord disorder, comprising coupling at least one electrode to at least one cranial nerve of the patient, wherein the cranial nerve is selected from the group consisting of a vagus nerve, a trigeminal nerve, and a glossopharyngeal nerve, and applying an electrical signal to the cranial nerve using the electrode to treat the vocal cord disorder. The electrode may be coupled to a branch of the vagus nerve selected from the group consisting of a recurrent laryngeal nerve, the external branch of a superior laryngeal nerve, the internal branch of a superior laryngeal nerve, and a pharyngeal plexus. Also disclosed is a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method, and a medical device and a vocal cord disorder treatment system that may be used in performance of the method.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a mood and/or anxiety disorder are disclosed which comprise electrical, chemical or magnetic stimulation of certain areas of the brain to modulate neuronal activity of areas associated with symptoms of mood disorders. In certain embodiments, deep brain stimulation is combined with cranial nerve stimulation to enhance symptomatic relief of the disorder. Certain embodiments also employ a sensing capability to optimize the therapeutic treatment regimen.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a pancreatic disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of an autonomic nerve of the patient. The portion may include a celiac plexus, a superior mesenteric plexus, and a thoracic splanchnic. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the pancreatic disorder.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a pulmonary disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of a left vagus nerve and/or a right vagus nerve of the patient. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the pulmonary disorder. The electrical signal may perform a blocking of an intrinsic neural activity on said at least one portion of the left vagus nerve and said right vagus nerve.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a mood and/or anxiety disorder are disclosed which provide for stimulation of certain areas of the brain to modulate neuronal activity of areas associated with symptoms of mood disorders. In certain embodiments, brain stimulation is combined with cranial nerve stimulation for enhancing symptomatic relief of the disorder. Certain embodiments also employ a sensing capability for optimizing the therapeutic treatment regimen.

Abstract: We disclose a method of treating a patient having a hearing disorder, including coupling at least one electrode to at least one vagus nerve of the patient and applying an electrical signal to the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the hearing disorder. We also disclose a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method, and a medical device and a hearing disorder treatment system that may be used in performance of the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically, mechanically and/or pharmaceutically/chemically stimulating a of the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal/cardia junction, cardia/fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. The device may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. An implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode, pressure device or chemical outlet to apply a defined signal to a selected nerve branch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically, mechanically and/or pharmaceutically/chemically stimulating a of the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal/cardia junction, cardia/fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. The device may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. An implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode, pressure device or chemical outlet to apply a defined signal to a selected nerve branch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically, mechanically and/or pharmaceutically/chemically stimulating a of the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal/cardia junction, cardia/fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. The device may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. An implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode, pressure device or chemical outlet to apply a defined signal to a selected nerve branch.

Abstract: An electrode assembly of a lead to be implanted on a patient's nerve includes a flexible electrically insulative carrier of helical configuration, a flexible ribbon electrode secured to the underside of at least a segment of the helical configuration carrier, an elongate conductor for electrical connection to the ribbon electrode, and a flexible conducting spacer electrically connected to the ribbon electrode and to the elongate conductor for separating the latter from the helical configuration while maintaining electrical connection between the two at the distal end of the elongate conductor. The distal end of the conductor projects directly and tangentially from a curved portion of the spacer in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the helical configuration.