Abstract: A method of treating patients suffering from refractory hypertension includes identifying a patient suffering from the disorder and applying a stimulating electrical signal to the patient's vagus nerve predetermined to modulate the electrical activity of the nerve and to alleviate the hypertension. The step of applying the stimulation may be performed manually by the patient, or automatically following detection of the hypertension by sensing the patient's blood pressure, or, preferably by continuous or periodic application without use of a sensor. The stimulating signal is a pulse waveform with programmable signal parameter values including pulse width, output current, frequency, on time and off time.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating patients with motility disorders applies a modulating signal to the patient's vagus nerve to stimulate or inhibit neural impulses and produce excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter release by the vagus nerve according to the specific nature of the motility disorder. The apparatus includes a neurostimulator which can be activated to generate an electrical output signal. The neurostimulator is responsive to the sensing of a selected event having occurred which is indicative of the need for treatment of the motility disorder, and includes an activation element which responds to sensing of that event to activate the neurostimulator, and a lead with an electrode array to apply the electrical output signal as the modulating signal to the patient's vagus nerve. Certain parameters of the output signal are programmable, and the neurostimulator can be calibrated according to the specific patient and the specific motility disorder being treated.