Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling an implantable pulse generator for activation of a nerve or receptor are provided. In particular, the method, devices, and systems embodying features of the present invention control the energy output of a battery in an implantable pulse generator for stimulation of the baroreflex system of the patient.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for using the same for activating (stimulating) the baroreflex system of a patient using a baroreflex activation system with pacing cardiac electrical signal detection capability.

Abstract: Methods and systems for external baroreflex activation of a baroreceptor system of a patient from a stimulator external to the patient. The method and devices, enable baroflex therapy on a temporary basis and/or assess the response of a patient to such baroreflex therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces excessive blood pressure, sympathetic nervous system activity and neurohormonal activity, thereby minimizing their deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a low-pressure baroreceptor, preferably in the venous system, heart, or pulmonary vasculature.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing physiological activity of the patient, and a processor coupled with the baroreflex activation device(s) and the sensor(s) for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreflex activation device. In some embodiments, the system is fully implantable within a patient, such as in an intravascular, extravascular or intramural location.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, including a spine, and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine. At least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel. When the electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and the electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled. And when coupled to the nerve, each electrode wraps around and directly contacts at least 60% of the circumference of the nerve.

Abstract: A stimulator arrangement for a nerve, having a cuff configured and arranged to be placed around the nerve. The cuff includes a first edge, and defines a plurality of indentations along the first edge of the cuff. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the cuff.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into a blood vessel and for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal includes an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, and at least one electrode connected with the expandable support member. The at least one electrode is arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors. The apparatus further includes an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support member for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode.

Abstract: An implantable stimulator, having at least one electrode contact array comprising multiple electrode contacts disposed on an external surface of said stimulator. The electrode contacts are configured to have a first polarity. At least one additional electrode contact is disposed on the external surface, the at least one additional electrode contact is configured to have a second polarity. One or more of the electrode contacts disposed on the stimulator are configured to deliver at least one or more of a monopolar stimulation and a multipolar stimulation.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, having a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals, an electrode configuration tester for testing a first electrode configuration for stimulating a desired neural target, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the neural stimulator to selectively provide a first neural stimulation signal with appropriate signal characteristics to stimulate the desired neural target using the first electrical configuration and a second neural stimulation signal with appropriate signal characteristics to stimulate the desired neural target using a second electrode configuration, and adapted to communicate with the electrode configuration tester and to respond to an indication that an efficacy of the first electrode configuration is lower than a threshold by providing the neural stimulation using the second neural stimulation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having at least one fixation electrode adapted to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and a pressure sensor integrally supported by the at least one fixation electrode. The pressure sensor provides a signal indicative of a blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. The apparatus also includes a pulse generator coupled with the at least one fixation electrode, the pulse generator adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to one or more baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery via the at least one fixation electrode. The pressure sensor is anchorable in the pulmonary artery via the at least one fixation electrode.

Abstract: A stimulation system for a nerve, including a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve, and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that distances between a first electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the first electrode contact are different.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for pulsed electric field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach. The apparatus includes a pulsed electric field generator and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the pulsed electric field generator. The electrode is configured for intravascular delivery, and extravascular placement, via an intra-to-extravascular approach. The electrode is configured for extravascular delivery of a pulsed electric field to induce neuromodulation.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of being implanted in a patient's body, including a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, and a processor coupled to the posture sensor and the heart rate sensor. The processor is configured to measure the patient's heart rate via the cardiac signal sensor, detect a change in a posture of the patient's body via the posture sensor, and determine an autonomic tone of the patient's body based on the patient's heart rate measured during a time period corresponding to the change in posture.

Abstract: A system for stimulation, including an implantable pulse generator, a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body, and a plurality of conductors, wherein one of the conductors is attached to each electrode and wherein the conductors are configured and arranged to couple the electrodes to the implantable pulse generator.

Abstract: A system for providing neural stimulation, including an activity monitor to sense activity and provide a signal indicative of the activity and a neural stimulator. The neural stimulator includes a pulse generator to provide a neural stimulation signal adapted to provide a neural stimulation therapy, and a modulator to receive the signal indicative of the activity and modulate the neural stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the activity to change the neural stimulation therapy.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a neural stimulator having an output to deliver neural stimulation pulses, a sensor to sense a reference signal indicative of cardiac cycles each including a predetermined type timing reference event, the sensor being external to the circulatory system. The neural stimulator further includes detection circuitry coupled to the sensor to detect the predetermined type timing reference event, and a control circuit having an offset interval generator and a pulse delivery controller.

Abstract: Peripheral vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, are treated by activating a baroreflex response of a patient suffering from or at risk of these conditions. In the exemplary embodiments, the baroreflex response is activated using an implantable system comprising a controller and a device which activates the baroreceptor or baroreceptor nerve in order to initiate the baroreflex response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulation of a baroreflex system of a patient is provided. A method comprises establishing a therapy regimen including at least one pulse which includes at least two phases. Each phase has a polarity which is different than that of the other phase. The baroreflex system of the patient is activated with at least one baroreflex activation device which is responsive to the therapy regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for stimulating living tissue with an electrical neurostimulator, by maintaining a plurality of stimulation sets of stimulation parameters with each set of stimulation parameters defining at least a pulse characteristic and an electrode configuration in memory of the neurostimulator. Further, a repetition parameter for at least one of the plurality of stimulation sets in memory of the neurostimulator is maintained, wherein the repetition parameter identifies a number of times that a pulse is to be repeated in a consecutive manner for the at least one stimulation set. Also, living tissue is stimulated using a substantially continuous set of pulses wherein the stimulating includes selecting a stimulation set, generating a pulse according to the pulse characteristic of the selected stimulation set, and delivering the generated pulse to living tissue through electrodes according to the electrode configuration of the selected stimulation set.