Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for controlling tracheostomy weaning. The apparatus includes a lumen defining a flow path for air. The flow path is configured to communicate fluidically with an airway of a patient. A control valve coupled to the lumen is configured to automatically and selectively occlude the lumen to control a flowrate of the air passing through the lumen in real time based on respiratory data obtained from the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an apparatus, system, and method of thermal detection during surgical or medical procedures. These procedures can include open-heart surgery with a pump connected to a thermal detection unit and a computing device for sending and receiving signals to control the pump. Detecting thermal changes with a thermal detection unit in an organ or tissue and controlling a pump based on the analysis of the image generated with a thermal imager unit from the detected thermal changes. The thermal detection system has a detection and imaging unit, coupled to a computing device for processing and analysis and utilized as a part of a control system for a perfusion pump.

Abstract: A method, system, and an apparatus are provided for insulating an electrode implanted in a body of a patient. The method comprises surgically exposing a nerve of the patient, implanting at least one electrode in the body of the patient, wherein the implanting comprises coupling theat least one electrode to the nerve of the patient, providing a mold form, disposing the mold form around at least a portion of the at least one electrode and the nerve, introducing into the mold form a curable liquid insulant, allowing the curable liquid insulant to cure, removing the mold form from around the at least one electrode and from the patient's body, and surgically closing the exposure of the nerve.

Abstract: A method, system, and an apparatus are provided for providing multiple stimulation modes for a medical device, such as an implantable medical device. The method includes applying a first electrical signal to a nerve of a patient during a primary time period. The method further includes applying a second electrical signal to the nerve of the patient during a secondary time period in which the first electrical signal is not applied. The secondary electrical signal may provide a reduced level of stimulation that improves a therapeutic effect and/or reduces a side effect associated with the first electrical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a syncope disorder is disclosed. The method comprises coupling a first electrode to a sympathetic nerve of the patient, and then applying a first therapeutic electrical signal to the electrode to stimulate the sympathetic nerve, wherein the stimulation causes an increase in the blood pressure of the patient to a level that is above a predetermined threshold level, whereby dizziness or fainting by the patient is deterred or prevented.

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 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 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: 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, 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: 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 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.