Abstract: Method and systems for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) to provide therapy for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders comprises implantable and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) is used for disorders such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety disorders, neurogenic pain, compulsive eating disorders, obesity, dementia including Alzheimer's disease, and migraines. The pulsed electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using various forms of implanted pulse generators or various forms of implanted stimulus-receiver used with an external stimulator. The external components such as the programmer may communicate with the implanted pulse generator (IPG) utilizing magnetic inductive coupling or via wireless telemetry. Further, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may also comprise circuitry for networking with remote computers.

Abstract: Method and system for ablating selected portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to provide therapy or alleviate symptoms for GI tract or liver tumors, obesity, motility disorders, GERD, or to induce weight loss. The ablation procedure may be performed endogastrically via mouth and esophagus in an anesthetized patient. Alternatively, the ablations may be performed epigastrically using laproscopic tools. The ablation may involve one of the following: a) ablating tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; b) ablating tissues of the liver; c) disruption of pacemaker region of the stomach; d) disruption of muscle layers of gastric wall; e) vagal nerve(s) disruption; f) ablation of endogastric lining for cells that produce the hunger hormone ghrelin; and g) disruption of enteric nervous system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing rectangular and/or complex electrical pulses to cortical tissues of a patient for providing therapy or alleviating symptoms for at least one of tinnitus, essential tremor (ET) including Parkinson's disease, depression, or for providing improvement of functional recovery following stroke. The intracranial electrodes may be implanted on the dura, or subdurally on the pia mater of the cortical surface. The placement of the electrodes may utilize cortical sensing and/or digital imaging techniques, such as fMRI, MRI, or CT. The pulse generator system comprises implantable and external components. The pulse generator may be an implanted pulse generator (IPG) or an external stimulator coupled with an implanted stimulus-receiver. The IPG may also comprise a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment the pulse generator may also comprise a selected number of predetermined/pre-packaged programs.

Abstract: A method and system for providing rectangular and/or complex electrical pulses to cortical tissues of a patient for at least one of, providing therapy or alleviating symptoms of neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, or for providing improvement of functional recovery following stroke. The intracranial electrodes may be implanted epidurally, or subdurally on the pia mater of the cortical surface. The electrical pulses may be provided using one of the following pulse generation means: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator;.

Abstract: A method and system for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to sacral nerves and/or its branches, to provide therapy for urinary/fecal incontinence and other urological disorders. The stimulation system comprising implanted and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation may be provided using a system which is one from a group comprising: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with an external magnet; d) a programmable implantable pulse generator; e) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable IPG; and f) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method and system for altering regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by providing complex and/or rectangular electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s), to provide therapy for depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Complex electrical pulses comprises pulses which are configured to be one of non-rectangular, multi-level, biphasic, or pulses with varying amplitude during the pulse. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking.

Abstract: Implantable stimulation systems and method for nerve and/or muscle stimulation applications comprises two functional modules which are, i) a programmable pulse generator module, and ii) a stimulus-receiver module. The stimulus-receiver module is designed to provide stimulation/blocking pulses with an external stimulator. An external device acts as a programmer and as an external stimulator. The system uses implantable power source until stable external power is available. A power select circuitry switches between implanted power source and external power source, when its available. Stimulation/blocking to nerve or muscle tissue may be provided using implantable pulse generator, or via an external stimulator which is inductively coupled to the stimulus-receiver portion of the implanted system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing rectangular and/or complex electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) and/or its branches, to provide therapy for involuntary movement disorders (including Parkinson's disease and epilepsy), comprises implantable and external components. Complex electrical pulses comprises pulses which are configured to be one of non-rectangular, multi-level, biphasic, or pulses with varying amplitude during the pulse. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking.

Abstract: A method and system for providing rectangular and/or complex electrical pulses to occipital nerves, to provide therapy for at least one of chronic headache, transformed migraine, and occipital neuralgia comprises implantable and external components. Complex electrical pulses comprises pulses which are configured to be one of non-rectangular, multi-level, biphasic, or pulses with varying amplitude during the pulse. The electrical pulses to occipital nerves may be stimulating and/or blocking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stopping of ablation energy delivery to tissues during cardiac ablation procedures provides added safety. The apparatus uses control switch mechanism comprising relay switch and circuitry inserted between the ground patch and ablation generator. Alternatively, the control switching means can be on the catheter side of the ablation circuit. The switching mechanism is connected to a computer, which controls the on-off switch based on pre-determined conditions. When the control switch part of the circuit is opened, the ablation generator shuts of immediately. The software in the computer is configured, such that the computer controlled stopping of energy delivery only occurs when patient safety is at risk.

Abstract: Method and system to provide therapy for obesity, gastric motility, or to induce weight loss comprises ablating the gastric tissue around the “pacemaker” region of the stomach, and electrically pacing the stomach with a pulse generator/stimulator to control the electrical activity of the gastric muscle. The ablation to the gastric tissue may be from the epigastric side, or may be from inside the stomach. The ablation may be performed utilizing any one of: radiofrequency catheter ablation; radiofrequency catheter ablation using an irrigated tip catheter; microwave ablation; cryoablation; high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation; and laser ablation. The ablation of the “pacemaker” region of the stomach may be partial or complete. A gastric pulse generator/stimulator is implanted to provide electrical pulses to the stomach.

Abstract: A method and system for providing predetermined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for migraine/chronic headache, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method and system for providing predetermined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A computer based ablation interface system provides useful information for monitoring catheter ablations, especially left sided ablations for atrial fibrillation. Such a system provides added safety, by providing useful information during the ablation procedure. The system comprises a computer, specialized software, analog and digital input/output board, transducer, and display. The information displayed includes both electrical parameters and physiological parameters. In one aspect of the invention alarms and indicators are displayed on the screen for highlighting certain events to the physicians, for guiding them through the ablation procedure. In another aspect of the invention, the system comprises circuitry for automatically switching the ablation circuit off, based on pre-determined events.

Abstract: A method and system for providing predetermined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for dementia and Alzhemer's disease, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method and system to provide pre-determined electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) or its branches to provide therapy for bulimia/eating disorders, comprises implantable and external components. The electrical pulses to vagus nerve(s) may be stimulating and/or blocking. The pulsed electrical stimulation/blocking to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method and system to provide electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) to provide therapy for autism, comprises implantable and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry means for networking.

Abstract: Method and system of increasing safety of ablation of cardiac arrythmias, especially AVNRT and antero-septal accessory pathway ablations. A computer based system acquires, conditions, and analyzes the timing relationships between atrial and ventricualr signals during normal sinus (NSR) and junctional rhythms (JR) during ablation. If the timing analyses determines a safety issue, such as loss of retrograde conduction during junction rhythm, while slow pathway modification is being performed, the computer electronically disconnects the ablation circuit. This immediately stops the energy delivery to the tissues and provides a chance to reposition the ablation catheter tip to a more safer location. The ablation may be using radiofrequency (RF), cryoablation, or with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The functionality and circuitry of the system may also be incorporated within an ablation generator, EP recording and monitoring system, or a cardiac mapping system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing therapy or alleviating the symptoms of depression (including bipolar depression, unipolar depression, severe depression, treatment resistant depression, and melancholia), by providing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) for afferent neuromodulation. ECT is provided via two electrodes placed on the head, either in the unilateral or bilateral configuration. Constant-current (or constant-voltage) stimuli are provided using brief-pulsed outputs at frequencies between 30 Hz and 100 Hz. The transcranial stimuli delivered are strong enough to induce seizures. Pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) may be provided continuously in ON-OFF repeating cycles. The two electrical stimulation therapies (ECT and VNS) may be given in any order, any combination, or any sequence as determined by the physician. The two electrical stimulation therapies may also be used with or without pharmaceutical therapy.

Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments comprises, providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) for afferent neuromodulation. These neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments include depression, bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders, sleep disorders, learning difficulties, memory impairments and the like. Gradient magnetic pulses are provided to the brain at approximately 1 KHz frequency in sessions that typically last for approximately 20 minutes, but can range from about 2 minutes to 5 hours. These gradient magnetic pulses produce a relatively constant electric field in the brain. Pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) may be provided continuously in ON-OFF repeating cycles.