Abstract: An implantable baroreflex activation device administers a special electrotherapy program that causes the device to apply electrotherapy to limit a rate of change of blood pressure increase associated with a blood pressure surge event such as a morning blood pressure surge (MBPS).

Abstract: A method is provided for treating disordered breathing conditions of a patient. The method comprises delivering a plurality of therapies to treat disordered breathing, including at least an electrical stimulation therapy modulating a patient's baroreflex response. The method further comprises coordinating delivery of the plurality of disordered breathing therapies, wherein delivering the plurality of therapies to treat disordered breathing comprises delivering a cardiac electrical stimulation therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

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 a 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: Baroreflex activation is achieved by providing suitable control signals to a baroreflex activation device. A method comprises establishing a therapy interval (possibly on the order of minutes to hours, or possibly of indefinite duration), within the therapy interval, establishing a plurality of dose intervals, and generating an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal has a time dependence such that the average electrical power applied to the baroreflex activation device differs between first and second portions of at least some dose intervals. Another method comprises establishing a series of therapy interval portions, during at least some therapy intervals, establishing a plurality of burst intervals (perhaps having durations commensurate with an interval between heartbeats), and generating an electrical output signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the low-pressure baroreflex system for the treatment and/or management of cardiovascular, renal, and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising, a pulse generator to generate a baroreceptor stimulation signal as part of a baroreflex therapy, a lead to be electrically connected to the pulse generator and to be intravascularly fed into a heart, the lead including an electrode to be positioned in or proximate to the heart to deliver the baroreceptor signal to a baroreceptor region in or proximate to the heart, a sensor to sense a physiological parameter regarding the need to modify the baroreflex system and to provide a signal indicative of the need to modify the baroreflex system and a controller connected to the pulse generator to control the baroreceptor stimulation signal and to the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the need to modify the baroreflex system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus comprising, a flexible lead body, an expandable electrode coupled to the lead body, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode, wherein the implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreceptor stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in an artery via the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising, a pulse generator to generate baroreceptor stimulation pulses, a sensor circuitry, a lead adapted to be electrically connected to the pulse generator and to the sensor circuitry, the lead including an electrode to distribute the baroreceptor stimulation pulses to a baroreceptor site, a pressure sensor to provide a signal indicative of blood pressure to the sensor circuitry and a controller connected to the pulse generator and the sensor circuitry, the controller adapted to adjust the baroreceptor stimulation pulses based on the blood pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus comprising, a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the lead body having an outer diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, an electrode coupled to the flexible lead body and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the electrode, wherein the implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreceptor stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.

Abstract: A baroreflex stimulator is provided. The baroreflex stimulator includes a driver adapted to provide a control signal through a baroreceptor activation device, and a controller to periodically modulate the control signal based on an algorithm.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating respiration conditions of a patient. The method comprises monitoring or measuring a respiration parameter indicative of a need to modify activity of a baroreflex system of the patient, and controlling a baroreceptor activation device to cause or modify activation of a baroreflex response of the patient in response to the monitoring or measuring of the respiration parameter.

Abstract: A system for providing baroreflex stimulation comprises a sensor to detect a parameter and provide a signal indicative of the parameter, and a baroreflex stimulator. The baroreflex stimulator includes a driver to provide a control signal adapted to deliver a baroreflex therapy, and a controller to receive the signal indicative of the parameter and modulate the control signal based on the signal indicative of the parameter to change the baroreflex therapy from a first baroreflex therapy to a second baroreflex therapy.

Abstract: An implantable medical system is provided. The implantable medical system includes a baroreflex stimulator to apply a baroreflex stimulation signal to an electrode, a sensor to detect a parameter indicative of heart failure, and a control system connected to the baroreflex stimulator and to the sensor. The control system is adapted to apply a baroreflex therapy in response to a detected parameter indicative of heart failure.

Abstract: The present invention is a baroreceptor stimulator, including, a pulse generator to provide a baroreceptor stimulation signal through an electrode and a modulator to modulate the baroreceptor stimulation signal to increase the baroreceptor stimulation therapy by a predetermined rate of change to lower systemic blood pressure to a target pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing baroreceptor stimulation comprising, a sensor to sense a physiologic parameter and provide a signal indicative of the physiologic parameter, a baroreceptor stimulator, which includes, a pulse generator to provide a baroreceptor stimulation signal adapted to provide a baroreflex therapy, and a control system to receive the signal indicative of the physiologic parameter and modulate the baroreceptor stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the physiologic parameter to change the baroreflex therapy from a first baroreflex therapy to a second baroreflex therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing baroreceptor stimulation comprising, a sensor to sense a physiologic parameter and provide a signal indicative of the physiologic parameter, a baroreceptor activation device, which includes, a pulse generator to intermittently generate a stimulation signal to provide baroreceptor stimulation for a baroreflex therapy, and a control system to adjust the stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the physiologic parameter such that the stimulation signal provides a desired baroreceptor stimulation corresponding to a desired physiologic parameter.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohornonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably in the carotid sinus. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for external baroreflex activation allow a physician to characterize a patient's response to baroreflex activation prior to providing baroreflex activation therapy. Methods generally include applying a baroreflex activation stimulus to a patient, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the patient, and determining the extent to which the baroreflex activation causes a baroreflex response. Multiple stimuli of different intensities and/or from different locations may be compared. Systems include one or more external baroreflex activation devices and one or more physiological parameter measuring devices. Optionally, a system may also include one or more fully or partially implantable devices for providing baroreflex activation therapy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating an electric field inside a patient include at least a first electrode and a second electrode on a common implantable substrate. Each of the electrodes has a respective proximal end and a respective distal end. Electrical energy can be applied that causes electrical current to flow simultaneously through the first and second electrodes preferentially from the proximal end of one electrode to the distal end of the other electrode.