Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: A method may include positioning a catheter, including at least one electrode, within an esophagus such that the electrode is proximate to at least one sympathetic ganglion. The methods may further include recruiting the sympathetic ganglion via an electrical signal, monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, and, based on the monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, adjusting the electrical signal from the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a user interface and a control unit. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify an electrode combination and determine a threshold charge for use in stimulating the body tissue. The processors identifications and determinations may be based at least partially on input received via the user interface.

Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.

Abstract: A method may include positioning a catheter, including at least one electrode, within an esophagus such that the electrode is proximate to at least one sympathetic ganglion. The methods may further include recruiting the sympathetic ganglion via an electrical signal, monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, and, based on the monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, adjusting the electrical signal from the at least one electrode.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode positioned on the body proximate the distal end. The electrode is configured to provide an electrical charge for stimulating tissue. The medical device includes an electrical connection positioned on the body proximate the proximal end. The electrical connection is configured to electrically couple the electrode to a power source. The medical device includes an electrical lead connecting the electrode to the electrical connection. The lead is on or in the flexible body. The body is configured to have a first configuration prior to being secured to an exterior of a tube and a second configuration having a shape that conforms to a profile of the tube with the electrode secured to an exterior of the tube.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a stimulation lead, sensors, and a control unit. The stimulation lead may include one or more energy sources. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium, and an interface (e.g., touch screen interface) for receiving user inputs and communicating information to the user. The sensors may be configured to provide impedance measurements to the control unit. The control unit may calculate lung gas distributions and/or generate an image modeling lung gas distributions. Stimulation delivered by the stimulation may be adjusted based on the impedance measurements.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for preventing, moderating, and/or treating brain injury. The methods herein may include obtaining a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in the subject, determining a stimulation parameter based on the test result, and stimulating a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject. The systems herein may include a processor configured to: receive a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in a subject, and determine a stimulation parameter based on the test result; and a stimulator configured to stimulate a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a user interface and a control unit. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify an electrode combination and determine a threshold charge for use in stimulating the body tissue. The processors identifications and determinations may be based at least partially on input received via the user interface.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating a nerve may include inserting a lead structure into one or more blood vessels. The lead structure may include an insulating member, first electrodes and second electrodes supported on the insulating member, and at least one metal lead. The first electrodes and second electrodes may be positioned in one or more blood vessels. The methods of stimulating a nerve may further include the lead structures being applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for preventing, moderating, and/or treating brain injury. The methods herein may include obtaining a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in the subject, determining a stimulation parameter based on the test result, and stimulating a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject. The systems herein may include a processor configured to: receive a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in a subject, and determine a stimulation parameter based on the test result; and a stimulator configured to stimulate a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: Transvascular diaphragm pacing systems (TDPS) and methods are disclosed for providing respiratory therapy to a patient. The TDPS can provide rapid insertion and deployment of endovascular pacing electrodes in critically ill patients who require intubation and invasive PPMV in order to support the physiological requirements of the human ventilatory system. The systems and methods make best use of the contractile properties of the diaphragm muscle and prevent muscle disuse and muscle atrophy. This can be carried out by engaging the phrenic nerves using patterned functional electrical stimulation applied to endovascular electrodes that are temporarily and reversibly inserted in central veins of the patient, such as the left subclavian vein and the superior vena cava.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, relates to an intravascular electrode system. The system comprises one or more electrodes supported on an elongated resiliently flexible support member, and the support member may be used to introduce the electrodes into a blood vessel. As the support member is introduced into the blood vessel the support member bends to follow the path of the blood vessel.