Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for recovering motor control of an area in the body of a patient affected by a neurological disorder. A device vibrotactilely stimulates a substitute site for the affected area thereby recovering the motor control of the affected area. The stimulation provided by the device is volitionally controlled by the patient.

Abstract: A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for artificially stimulating user deglutition without substantial aspiration are provided. Methods and systems include artificially stimulating user deglutition according to various specialized programs, including passive user secretion maintenance programs, active feeding programs, proprioceptive feedback programs, and others.

Abstract: Methods and systems for artificially stimulating user deglutition without substantial aspiration are provided. Methods and systems include artificially stimulating user deglutition according to various specialized programs, including passive user secretion maintenance programs, active feeding programs, proprioceptive feedback programs, and others.

Abstract: A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.

Abstract: Implantable leads implantable in a patient, such as patient's neck. The lead includes a first lead segment and a second lead segment. The second lead segment extends from the first lead segment at a first junction point and includes first, second, and third legs each defining a longitudinal length in extension from the first junction point to a distal end. A length of the first leg is greater than a length of the second leg, and a length of the second leg is greater than a length of the third leg. With this configuration, each of the legs are adapted to support at least one electrode at the distal end thereof, and are appropriately dimensioned relative to one another for locating the corresponding electrode at a desired target tissue site in the patient's neck. Targeted tissue can include, for example, muscles of the neck.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are customizable and that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical leads include the ability to be customized by selective and controllable separation of lead bodies from one another, which leads are also able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom of movement that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead to permit lead body ends on one or both ends of the lead to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. Implantable medical leads advantageously include individual lead portions, sub-bundles, and bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.

Abstract: Methods and systems for artificially stimulating user deglutition without substantial aspiration are provided. Methods and systems include artificially stimulating user deglutition according to various specialized programs, including passive user secretion maintenance programs, active feeding programs, proprioceptive feedback programs, and others.

Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies of a plurality of leads that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements and that are bundled to create a branched lead assembly to permit lead ends on one or both ends of the lead assembly to be movable relative to one another so as to be positionable in different locations. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies advantageously include individual lead portions, lead sub-bundles, and lead bundles that are able to be selectively positioned and implanted within a subject body and that are useful, in particular, for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility, extensibility and positionability.

Abstract: Implantable medical lead assemblies that are customizable and that are flexible and extensible in a controllable manner to facilitate subject body movements. In particular, implantable medical lead assemblies in accordance with the present invention advantageously include the ability to be customized by selective and controllable separation of leads from one another, which lead assemblies are also able to permit and withstand multiple degree of freedom that are useful for use in the neck region of a subject body and other regions of any subject's body that may benefit from increased flexibility and extensibility.

Abstract: Devices and methods were discovered that successfully provided patient autonomous control of both hyolaryngeal elevation, anterior hyoid motion and opening of the upper esophageal sphincter for swallowing by intramuscular stimulation of two muscles. The technology allows patient self stimulation of swallowing and can return oral feeding to dysphagia patients. Indwelling electrode stimulation of only two muscles generated as much as 80 % of normal synergistic movement leading to swallowing. The devices and methods also are useful for control of other upper respiratory muscle groups involved in speech and voice. Calibration techniques may be used in combination for greater freedom in setting and using electrodes over extended implantation time periods. These methods and devices can control complex movements of body solids such as bone and cartilage and tissues by electro stimulation of a minimum set of muscles simultaneously.