Abstract: Techniques for placing implantable electrodes to treat sleep apnea, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes percutaneously implanting one or more signal delivery devices, each at or near a respective target signal delivery location in a patient. Each signal delivery device can include one or more electrodes, and individual ones of the electrodes can be positioned to produce a net positive protrusive motor response of the patient’s tongue. The representative method further includes providing power to one or more of the electrodes from a wearable power source to cause the electrode(s) to deliver an electrical signal to the respective target signal delivery location(s) to produce the net positive protrusive motor response.

Abstract: Intraoral appliances are disclosed that provide electrical stimulation to tissue in a patient's oral cavity in a manner that reduces apnea events during sleep. A representative appliance can induce a current or currents through tissue and/or anatomical structures in a manner that maintains upper airway tone and/or patency.

Abstract: Techniques for placing implantable electrodes to treat sleep apnea, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes percutaneously implanting one or more signal delivery devices, each at or near a respective target signal delivery location in a patient. Each signal delivery device can include one or more electrodes, and individual ones of the electrodes can be positioned to produce a net positive protrusive motor response of the patient's tongue. The representative method further includes providing power to one or more of the electrodes from a wearable power source to cause the electrode(s) to deliver an electrical signal to the respective target signal delivery location(s) to produce the net positive protrusive motor response.

Abstract: Intraoral electrical stimulation devices are disclosed. A representative device, which can be used to treat sleep apnea, includes an intraoral attachment body, a guide element carried by the attachment body and having a constrained guide path, and an electrode movably supported relative to the guide element and movable along the constrained guide path to a plurality of positions. A positioning member is coupleable to the electrode to move the electrode along the constrained guide path, and a signal generator is coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode.

Abstract: Intraoral electrical stimulation devices are disclosed. A representative device, which can be used to treat sleep apnea, includes an intraoral attachment body, a guide element carried by the attachment body and having a constrained guide path, and an electrode movably supported relative to the guide element and movable along the constrained guide path to a plurality of positions. A positioning member is coupleable to the electrode to move the electrode along the constrained guide path, and a signal generator is coupleable to the electrode to direct a stimulation signal to the electrode.

Abstract: Intraoral appliances are disclosed that provide electrical stimulation to tissue in a patient's oral cavity in a manner that reduces apnea events during sleep. A representative appliance can induce a current or currents through tissue and/or anatomical structures in a manner that maintains upper airway tone and/or patency.

Abstract: Tubular casting processes, such as dip-coating, may be used to form substrates from polymeric solutions which may be used to fabricate implantable devices such as stents. The polymeric substrates may have multiple layers which retain the inherent properties of their starting materials and which are sufficiently ductile to prevent brittle fracture. Parameters such as the number of times the mandrel is immersed, the duration of time of each immersion within the solution, as well as the delay time between each immersion or the drying or curing time between dips and withdrawal rates of the mandrel from the solution may each be controlled to result in the desired mechanical characteristics. Additional post-processing may also be utilized to further increase strength of the substrate or to alter its shape.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.

Abstract: Sterilization methods for implantable prostheses are described where a polymeric stent may be sterilized, e.g., via ETO sterilization, at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the stent. A separate delivery catheter may be sterilized separately and the stent and delivery catheter may then be combined in an aseptic or semi-aseptic environment and sterilized as an assembled system such that the requirements for sterilizing the system are relatively lower. Additionally and/or alternatively, valve and filter assemblies may be used with an optional mandrel assembly for maintaining sterility of the internal components of a catheter system.

Abstract: Tubular casting processes, such as dip-coating, may be used to form substrates from polymeric solutions which may be used to fabricate implantable devices such as stents. The polymeric substrates may have multiple layers which retain the inherent properties of their starting materials and which are sufficiently ductile to prevent brittle fracture. Parameters such as the number of times the mandrel is immersed, the duration of time of each immersion within the solution, as well as the delay time between each immersion or the drying or curing time between dips and withdrawal rates of the mandrel from the solution may each be controlled to result in the desired mechanical characteristics. Additional post-processing may also be utilized to further increase strength of the substrate or to alter its shape.