Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy is described may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy harvesting device is that it is adapted for insertion into a human blood vessel for converting pulsatile pressure in the blood vessel into electrical energy. The energy harvesting device can provide electrical energy to another electronic or electromechanical on or in the human body. The energy harvesting device can include an electrostatic generator. Methods associated with use of the energy harvesting device are also covered.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is provided for the treatment of a variety of disorders. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator having a stimulation lead and electrode(s) configured to be implanted on or near neural tissue in communication with the adrenal gland. Application of an electrical waveform to the neural tissue can cause the adrenal gland to release catecholamines to treat hypoglycemia. In other embodiments, chemical, magnetic, optical, or mechanical neuromodulation can be used.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator configured to be implanted on or near a cranial nerve to treat headache or other neurological disorders. One aspect of the implantable medical device is that it includes an electronics enclosure, a substrate integral to the electronics enclosure, and a monolithic feed-through integral to the electronics enclosure and the substrate. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device can include a fixation apparatus for attaching the device to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering therapy from an implanted neurostimulator to a patient are provided. One feature is an implantable stimulation lead comprising at least one electrode. The implantable stimulation lead can be attached to an implanted neurostimulator. The stimulation lead can be implanted at least partially within or on an adrenal gland. The implantable stimulation lead and neurostimulator can apply electrical current to the adrenal gland to treat a pulmonary condition, such as asthma or COPD.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering therapy from an implanted neurostimulator to a patient are provided. One feature is an external controller that acts as a gateway for therapy. The external controller can be a handheld controller that communicates wirelessly with the implanted neurostimulator. In some embodiments, the controller communicates with a database to determine a therapy approval status of the neurostimulator. Therapy can be approved by a physician prescription, or by prepayment, for example. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is deactivated when no approved therapies remain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a neurostimulator to a target tissue are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a delivery tool comprising a handle portion, an elongate shaft comprising a contoured distal portion, a visualization system embedded in the elongate shaft, and an insertion groove on the elongate shaft configured to deploy the neurostimulator. The contoured distal portion can be shaped and configured to maintain contact with a posterior maxilla and elevate a periosteum off of the posterior maxilla to avoid soft tissue dissection. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is implanted in close proximity to or touching the sphenopalatine ganglion.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy harvesting device is that it is adapted for insertion into a human blood vessel for converting pulsatile pressure in the blood vessel into electrical energy. The energy harvesting device can provide electrical energy to another electronic or electromechanical on or in the human body. The energy harvesting device can include an electrostatic generator. Methods associated with use of the energy harvesting device are also covered.

Abstract: A method is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The method comprises inserting an electrode into a patient. The electrode can be positioned on or proximate to a neural structure, and the electrode can detect an ENG signal. In some embodiments, the neural structure can be the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia (“SPG”), sphenopalatine nerves (“SPN”), or vidian nerves (“VN”). Placement of the electrode can be tested by detecting a characteristic ENG. If the characteristic ENG indicates that the electrode is not positioned on the target neural structure, the electrode can be repositioned.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy is described may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element.

Abstract: A blood pump intended to be carried by a freely moving patient uses perpendicular magnetic and electrical fields to propel blood. A rod mounted coaxially inside a tube has electrodes in blood contact for establishing a radial electric field, and an inductor having windings parallel to the axis of the tube is used to establish a circumferential magnetic field. To avoid the evolution of gas at the electrode surfaces the magnetic and electric fields are periodically reversed, and the electrodes are made to have very high surface areas. The blood pump is powered by batteries or fuel cells (or a combination of both) to provide long service between recharging and to reduce the weight carried by the patient.

Abstract: A blood pump intended to be carried by a freely moving patient uses perpendicular magnetic and electrical fields to propel blood. A rod mounted coaxially inside a tube has electrodes in blood contact for establishing a radial electric field, and an inductor having windings parallel to the axis of the tube is used to establish a circumferential magnetic field. To avoid the evolution of gas at the electrode surfaces the magnetic and electric fields are periodically reversed, and the electrodes are made to have very high surface areas. The blood pump is powered by batteries or fuel cells (or a combination of both) to provide long service between recharging and to reduce the weight carried by the patient.

Abstract: A blood pump intended to be carried by a freely moving patient uses perpendicular magnetic and electrical fields to propel blood. A rod mounted coaxially inside a tube has electrodes in blood contact for establishing a radial electric field, and an inductor having windings parallel to the axis of the tube is used to establish a circumferential magnetic field. To avoid the evolution of gas at the electrode surfaces the magnetic and electric fields are periodically reversed, and the electrodes are made to have very high surface areas. The blood pump is powered by batteries or fuel cells (or a combination of both) to provide long service between recharging and to reduce the weight carried by the patient.