Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock, anaphylactic shock and hypovolemia. The method includes the step of applying at least one electrical impulse to at least one selected region of a parasympathetic nervous system of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate one or more nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system to increase the ratio of blood pressure to heart rate and relieve the condition and/or extend the patient's life.

Abstract: A pyloric valve for regulating the flow of fluids in the pyloric region a patient's gastrointestinal tract is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pyloric valve includes a plurality of axially connected blocking members located along a longitudinal axis of the valve in a proximal to distal direction. Each blocking member of the valve preferably includes at least one blocking portion defining at least one entryway adapted to receive fluids such as chyme therethrough. The at least one entryway of each blocking member is preferably not aligned with the at least one entryway of each blocking member adjacent thereto along the longitudinal axis. The non-alignment of the at least one entryways of the blocking members preferably creates a non-linear path for fluids such as chyme to travel through the pyloric region of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating ailments provide for: inserting a balloon-electrode device into an esophagus of a mammal, the balloon-electrode device including: (i) a nasogastral (NG) having an internal passageway and an external surface, (ii) at least one electrode coupled to the external surface of the NG tube, (iii) a conductor extending through the internal passageway of the NG tube and electrically connecting to the electrode, and (iv) a balloon surrounding the electrode and a portion of the NG tube; inflating the balloon with fluid such that the electrode is substantially centrally located within an interior volume of the balloon; and applying at least one electrical signal to the electrode via the conductor such that an electro-magnetic field emanates from the electrode to at least one of nerves and muscles of the mammal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having a plurality of disc-shaped flanges connected in series. The blocking portion may be disposed in a contracted position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a stacked configuration and a resting position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a linear configuration. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its resting and contracted positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having a disc-shaped inlet and a helical flange. The helical flange may be disposed in a contracted position defining a contracted length and a contracted diameter and an extended position defining an extended length and an extended diameter, wherein the extended length is longer than the contracted length and the extended diameter is smaller than the contracted diameter. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its contracted and extended positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having at least one axially-aligned annular flange defining a central opening and a support having a rim and a support surface. The support may be disposed in a nested position wherein the support surface is disposed within the central opening and an inverted position wherein the support surface is disposed away from the central opening. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its inverted and nested positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock, anaphylactic shock and hypovolemia. The method includes the step of applying at least one electrical impulse to at least one selected region of a parasympathetic nervous system of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate one or more nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system to increase the ratio of blood pressure to heart rate and relieve the condition and/or extend the patient's life.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock and anaphylactic shock, wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from hypotension to block and/or modulate nerve signals that regulate blood pressure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock and anaphylactic shock, wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from hypotension to block and/or modulate nerve signals that regulate blood pressure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma and anaphylaxis wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve and/or the lungs of a patient suffering from bronchial constriction.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock and anaphylactic shock, wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from hypotension to block and/or modulate nerve signals that regulate blood pressure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.

Abstract: An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. Advantageously, the suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor is secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a pulley within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and compressing the suture against the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen with a locking plug that compresses the suture therein. The pulley may be a pin located near a distal end of the tubular body around which the length of suture is looped. Alternatively, a pulley may be a bridge portion of the tubular body between two spaced apertures in the wall of the body. The locking plug may include a shaft and an enlarged head that interferes with the tubular body to provide a positive stop.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head or neck of a patient for treating obstructive sleep disorders. A method of the present invention involves positioning an electrosurgical probe with respect to a target tissue that affects the aperture of the upper airway of the patient. For example, the position of the tongue and the radix linguae affect the upper airway. The position of the tongue is controlled by the genioglossus muscle and tendon. The tendon of the genioglossus muscle may be irreversibly shrunk by positioning an electrosurgical probe in at least close proximity to the tendon, and applying a suitable high frequency voltage to the probe in a sub-ablation mode. Controlled heating of the tendon is effected by application of the high frequency voltage to the probe, wherein the voltage is insufficient to ablate the tissue of the tendon.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue in order to ablate, contract, coagulate, or otherwise modify a target tissue or organ of a patients. An electrosurgical apparatus of the invention includes a shaft having a shaft distal end bearing an active electrode and a return electrode. At least one of the active electrode and the return electrode is moveable such that the shaft distal end can adopt a closed configuration or an open configuration. The apparatus can operate in an ablation mode or a sub-ablation mode. The closed configuration is adapted for clamping and coagulating a target tissue while the apparatus is operating in the sub-ablation mode, while the open configuration is adapted for ablating the target tissue via molecular dissociation of tissue components. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a target tissue or organ with an electrosurgical probe.