Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Connection structures on an extra-vascular electrode lead body improve strain relief and strengthen the transition region where electrical conductors carried by the lead body are joined to individual electrodes at the distal end of the lead. The electrodes include structure or mechanisms for externally securing the electrode assembly to a body part. A first connection structure is located on the lead body proximal the electrodes to anchor the lead body to a first anchor location in the body that generally moves in concert with the body part. A second connection structure is located on the lead body proximal to the first connection structure to anchor the lead body to a second anchor location that is at least partially independent of movement of the body part. The first and second anchor location are offset by a distance that is less than a distance between the first and second connection structures to provide strain relief for the electrodes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of occurrence of, cardiac arrhythmias. Various embodiments may additionally or alternatively promote recovery from arrhythmias. In one embodiment, a device for preventing or reducing the likelihood of occurrence of arrhythmias includes one or more baroreflex activation devices, one or more sensors coupled to the baroreflex activation device(s), and a processor for processing information from the sensor and activating and/or modulation the baroreflex activation device. Sensors, such as electrocardiogram devices, generally sense factors indicative of a potential, ensuing arrhythmia.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.

Abstract: An implantable stimulator, having at least one electrode contact array comprising multiple electrode contacts disposed on an external surface of said stimulator. The electrode contacts are configured to have a first polarity. At least one additional electrode contact is disposed on the external surface, the at least one additional electrode contact is configured to have a second polarity. One or more of the electrode contacts disposed on the stimulator are configured to deliver at least one or more of a monopolar stimulation and a multipolar stimulation.

Abstract: A stimulation system for a nerve, including a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve, and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that distances between a first electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the first electrode contact are different.

Abstract: A stimulator arrangement for a nerve, having a cuff configured and arranged to be placed around the nerve. The cuff includes a first edge, and defines a plurality of indentations along the first edge of the cuff. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the cuff.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, having a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals, an electrode configuration tester for testing a first electrode configuration for stimulating a desired neural target, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the neural stimulator to selectively provide a first neural stimulation signal with appropriate signal characteristics to stimulate the desired neural target using the first electrical configuration and a second neural stimulation signal with appropriate signal characteristics to stimulate the desired neural target using a second electrode configuration, and adapted to communicate with the electrode configuration tester and to respond to an indication that an efficacy of the first electrode configuration is lower than a threshold by providing the neural stimulation using the second neural stimulation signal.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, including a spine, and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine. At least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel. When the electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and the electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled. And when coupled to the nerve, each electrode wraps around and directly contacts at least 60% of the circumference of the nerve.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of being implanted in a patient's body, including a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, and a processor coupled to the posture sensor and the heart rate sensor. The processor is configured to measure the patient's heart rate via the cardiac signal sensor, detect a change in a posture of the patient's body via the posture sensor, and determine an autonomic tone of the patient's body based on the patient's heart rate measured during a time period corresponding to the change in posture.

Abstract: A system for stimulation, including an implantable pulse generator, a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body, and a plurality of conductors, wherein one of the conductors is attached to each electrode and wherein the conductors are configured and arranged to couple the electrodes to the implantable pulse generator.