Abstract: An intraluminal microneurography probe has a probe body configured to be introduced into an artery near an organ of a body without preventing the flow of blood through the artery. An expandable sense electrode and an expandable stimulation electrode are fixed to the probe body at one end of each electrode such that movement of the other end toward the fixed end causes the sense electrode to expand from the probe body toward a wall of the artery. A ground electrode is configured to couple to the body, and a plurality of electrical connections are operable to electrically couple the electrodes to electrical circuitry. The sense electrode is operable to measure sympathetic nerve activity in response to excitation of the stimulation electrode. A radio frequency ablation element is located between the expandable sense electrode and expandable stimulation electrode, and is operable to ablate nerves proximate to the artery.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide interface to a patient's autonomic nerves via an interior lumen wall of a blood vessel. Systems can include a probe having at least one electrode for receiving electrical signals from the interior of the lumen wall. The system can include processing components for extracting the signals from noise within the patient's body. Systems can include stimulation electrodes for providing stimulation and eliciting action potentials within the patient and destructive processes for destroying nervous function. The effect of nerve destruction on the propagation of action potentials can be effectively used as a feedback mechanism for determining the amount of nervous function destruction in the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein relate to a system for use in analyzing neural activity of nerves surrounding a biological lumen. The system includes a probe body, electrodes, a stimulator, and an amplifier. The stimulator delivers electrical stimulation via a first pair of the electrodes, supported by the probe body, to test for an evoked neural response by nerves surrounding the biological lumen. The amplifier includes a pair of input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal. A second pair of the electrodes is electrically coupled to the pair of input terminals of the amplifier, to thereby enable the amplifier to produce the sensed signal indicative of the evoked neural response. A remaining one of the electrodes, which is not included in the first and the second pairs of the electrodes, is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal of the amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide interface to a patient's autonomic nerves via an interior lumen wall of a blood vessel. Systems can include a probe having at least one electrode for receiving electrical signals from the interior of the lumen wall. The system can include processing components for extracting the signals from noise within the patient's body. Systems can include stimulation electrodes for providing stimulation and eliciting action potentials within the patient and destructive processes for destroying nervous function. The effect of nerve destruction on the propagation of action potentials can be effectively used as a feedback mechanism for determining the amount of nervous function destruction in the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Ablation device including a probe structure 10 having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. Probe structure 10 includes a tubular first catheter 16, a tubular second catheter 18 surrounding the first catheter and a tubular guide catheter extending within the first catheter 16. The first catheter 16 carries a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer 20 adjacent its distal end. The transducer 20 is connected to a source of electrical excitation. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer 20 are directed at the heart wall tissue. Once the tissue reaches the target temperature, the electrical excitation is turned on and off to maintain the tissue at the largest temperature. Alternatively, the transducer 20 is subjected to continuous excitation at one power level and upon the tissue reaching the target temperature, the power level of the continuous excitation is switched to a second lower power level.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter has a balloon along its distal end. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly, targeting nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. Targeted nerve tissue can be heated by the application of ultrasonic energy to neuromodulate the tissue. The system may be delivered over a guidewire. A catheter enhances fluid delivery to a distal end of the catheter while reducing an overall diameter of the catheter. The catheter comprises a guidewire lumen that is eccentric relative to a center axis of the catheter.

Abstract: Ablation device including a probe structure 10 having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. Probe structure 10 includes a tubular first catheter 16, a tubular second catheter 18 surrounding the first catheter and a tubular guide catheter extending within the first catheter 16. The first catheter 16 carries a cylindrical ultrasonic transducer 20 adjacent its distal end. The transducer 20 is connected to a source of electrical excitation. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer are directed at the heart wall tissue. Once the tissue reaches the target temperature, the electrical excitation is turned on and off to maintain the tissue at the target temperature. Alternatively, the transducer 20 is subjected to continuous excitation at one power level and upon the tissue reaching the target temperature, the power level of the continuous excitation is switched to a second lower power level.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter has a balloon along its distal end. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly, targeting nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. Targeted nerve tissue can be heated by the application of ultrasonic energy to neuromodulate the tissue. The system may be delivered over a guidewire. A catheter enhances fluid delivery to a distal end of the catheter while reducing an overall diameter of the catheter. The catheter comprises a guidewire lumen that is eccentric relative to a center axis of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating gastroesophageal reflex and other luminal conditions provide for delivering acoustic energy to a body lumen to remodel tissue surrounding the body lumen. In the case of treating GERD, a catheter carrying an ultrasonic or other vibrational transducer is introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter, and acoustic energy is delivered to the sphincter in order to tighten or bulk the sphincter such that reflex is reduced.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter having a balloon along its distal end is disclosed in several embodiments. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly in order to target nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. In some embodiments, the system is configured to be delivered over a guidewire.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of depositing at least one electrode on a base member of an ultrasound transducer comprises at least partially etching a surface of the base member using a first etching agent, catalyzing the surface of the base member using a first catalyst, plating copper on the surface of the base member using an electroless plating process, inspecting the copper plated on the surface of the base member, at least partially etching a surface of the copper-plated surface using a second etching agent, catalyzing the copper-plated surface using a second catalyst, plating nickel on the copper-plated surface using an electroless plating process and depositing at least one layer of gold on the nickel-plated surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating gastroesophageal reflex and other luminal conditions provide for delivering acoustic energy to a body lumen to remodel tissue surrounding the body lumen. In the case of treating GERD, a catheter carrying an ultrasonic or other vibrational transducer is introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter, and acoustic energy is delivered to the sphincter in order to tighten or bulk the sphincter such that reflex is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating gastroesophageal reflex and other luminal conditions provide for delivering acoustic energy to a body lumen to remodel tissue surrounding the body lumen. In the case of treating GERD, a catheter carrying an ultrasonic or other vibrational transducer is introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter, and acoustic energy is delivered to the sphincter in order to tighten or bulk the sphincter such that reflex is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating gastroesophageal reflex and other luminal conditions provide for delivering acoustic energy to a body lumen to remodel tissue surrounding the body lumen. In the case of treating GERD, a catheter carrying an ultrasonic or other vibrational transducer is introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter, and acoustic energy is delivered to the sphincter in order to tighten or bulk the sphincter such that reflex is reduced.