Abstract: Systems for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve and determining a change in measured impedance or sensed electrical fields that is indicative of an electrical event, are disclosed herein. The system comprises an implantable housing comprising a signal generator, an implantable neural interface, an impedance measuring circuit or an electrical field sensing circuit, and processing circuitry. Methods for determining the presence of an electrical event in a system for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve, are also disclosed herein. The method comprises periodically sensing an impedance in an electrical pathway and determining an electrical event in the electrical pathway by identifying a change in the sensed impedance.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation of neural activity in the neural innervation of the spleen that is associated with neurovascular bundles provides a useful way to treat acute medical conditions, such as trauma, hemorrhaging and shock.

Abstract: Stents for intravascular neural stimulation are disclosed herein that at least partially contact a vessel wall. The stent comprises a scaffold extending in a longitudinal direction and having an outer perimeter that at least partially contacts the wall. A pulse generator can generate electrical signals for delivery to a nerve for intravascular neural stimulation. The scaffold has mounted thereon a first set of one or more electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generator. The stent further comprises a second set of one or more electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generator. The second set of electrodes is unconnected to the scaffold, i.e. not directly mounted on the scaffold. Methods of implanting a stent into a vessel using a deployment catheter are disclosed herein. The stent to be implanted comprises a pulse generator, a scaffold, and a distal set of one or more electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generator. The distal set of electrodes is unconnected to the scaffold, i.e.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation of neural activity in the neural innervation of the spleen provides a useful way to treat acute medical conditions. The disclosed systems and methods stimulate the neural activity of a nerve supplying a spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, such that the electrical signal produces an improvement in a physiological parameter indicative of treatment of an acute medical condition.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus or system for the modulation of neural activity in the cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) or superior cervical ganglion (SCG) or SCG post-ganglionic branch(es) and for the treatment of sleep apnoea, as well as methods for their use.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable neuromodulation systems and methods, and in particular to systems and methods for sensing blood-based parameter changes triggered by neural stimulation and subsequently optimizing the stimulation parameters based on feedback from the sensed blood-based parameter changes. Embodiments are directed to a method that includes delivering neural stimulation to a nerve or artery/nerve plexus based on a first set of stimulation parameters, monitoring a response to the neural stimulation that includes monitoring responses of the nerve or artery/nerve plexus and blood-based parameters of the artery, modifying the first set of the stimulation parameters based on the blood-based parameters to create a second set of stimulation parameters, and delivering the neural stimulation based on the second set of the stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A test fixture (20) for testing continuity in at least one electrode of a neuromodulation device. The test fixture may comprise a substrate (22), at least one electrically conductive pad (24a) disposed on the substrate for reducing pressure applied to the at least one electrode when the electrically conductive pad makes contact with an exposed surface of the electrode, and a wire (26a) extending from the at least one electrically conductive pad. The pad may be formed of a non-abrasive material, such as conductive foam or smooth metal. The substrate may be a probe formed with a number of slots for holding pads and routing wires, a mandrel with openings for holding pads and routing wires, and a flexible circuit with exposed smooth metal surfaces. The test fixture may be suitable for testing cuff-like and paddle-like devices.

Abstract: A system (1) for electrically stimulating a nerve (3), the system comprising: a first stimulator (5) and a second stimulator (7) for electrically stimulating the nerve, the first stimulator and the second stimulator spaced apart from one another by a first distance; and a controller (9) arranged to: a) set a time interval as a function of the first distance and the speed of propagation of an action potential in the nerve; b) activate the first stimulator for a first stimulation period, thus inducing electrical activity in the nerve; and c) activate the second stimulator for a second stimulation period after the time interval has elapsed after the end of the first time period. Preferably, the time interval is a sum of the first time period and a buffer time period for allowing the nerve to recover from stimulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for stimulating one or more nerves with an implantable device. The implantable device may comprise an antenna circuit including a loop antenna and a control circuit including a rectifying diode for rectifying an alternating voltage induced in the antenna circuit by an external electromagnetic field. The implantable device may also include a chargeable storage element for storing energy from the rectified voltage without using a battery. The device may also include an electrode array containing a set of electrodes for emitting an electric field using the stored energy in response to a control signal received from the control circuit. The components of the device may be affixed onto a soft polymer substrate including a linkable peripheral tab on at least two edges of a substantially rectangular body section of the substrate for forming a cuff about the one or more nerves to be stimulated.

Abstract: An extravascular neural interface includes a device containing electrodes for neurostimulation of a vessel. The devices are housed in flexible substrates forming two flaps, an inner flap having a spinal portion for routing leads/conductors into the device for connection to the electrodes and an outer flap that overlaps the inner flap. The inner flap supports and positions the electrodes to be inward facing, i.e., extravascular designs. The electrodes may be circular or elliptical and include a plurality of wings for securing the electrodes within a flap.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods that can prevent or ameliorate bronchoconstriction by stimulating neural activity, in contrast to those techniques based on denervation, ablation or blocking of neural activity. Methods and devices according to the invention may act responsively or on demand, can preserve neuronal structure and function and will be associated with minimal collateral side-effects. In particular, the invention provides devices and methods in which a signal is delivered to the vagus nerve, for example the cervical vagus nerve or the pulmonary branch of the vagus nerve, in order to stimulate neural activity in the vagal nerve.

Abstract: Implantable systems are described that include a stimulation device positionable in vivo and configured to communicatively couple to electrodes configured to stimulate or block body tissue and an auxiliary device positionable in vivo and including one or more coils configured to wirelessly couple, in vivo, to the stimulation device and to wirelessly couple to an ex vivo device. The auxiliary device may include a coil driver and a power source controlled by a processor and memory for storing data instructions for the coil driver and for storing data received from the stimulation device. The auxiliary device may also include a radio transceiver and an antenna. The stimulation device may include a housing, a coil, a power source and an integrated circuit for controlling the electrodes. The stimulation device may be coupled to a cuff via a lead and physically coupled to the auxiliary device.

Abstract: An electrode system for neuromodulation and for recording of signals indicative of nerve activity is provided. The system can include a plurality of electrodes provided on a flexible, non-conductive substrate. The substrate can be rolled into a cuff for encircling a nerve bundle of a patient. The plurality of electrodes on the cuff can be interconnected using flexible conductors provided on the substrate. In one implementation, the electrodes can be interconnected using conductors that have spring-like configuration. Flexibility of the conductors allows the cuff to expand and contract with the nerve without causing excessive stress/strain at the nerve-cuff interface.

Abstract: Modulation of neural activity of a subject's aortic depressor nerve (ADN) and/or carotid sinus nerve (CSN) can modulate baroreceptor reflex function, thereby providing ways of treating or preventing disorders associated with malfunction or loss of the baroreceptor reflex.

Abstract: A neuromodulation apparatus for stimulating neural activity in a renal nerve of a patient is provided, the apparatus comprising a transducer Patient for applying a signal to the renal nerve so as to produce a physiological response. Methods of treating sleep apnoea are also provided, including methods using the neuromodulation apparatus.