Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. In another embodiment, the electrical signal is applied to the vagus nerve transmucosally. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is pancreatitis. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are described for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient. Embodiments include a method for treating a patient having a gastro-intestinal disorder having a inflammatory basis, including positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve below a vagal innervation of a heart of the patient, and treating the patient's gastro-intestinal disorder by applying an electrical signal to the electrode, wherein the signal has a frequency of at least 500 Hz and is selected to down-regulate neural activity on the vagus nerve, allow partial restoration of nerve activity upon discontinuation of the electrical signal, and wherein the signal is configured to reduce pancreatic output and biliary output. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be blocking or a stimulation signal.

Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode at a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency in excess of 3,000 Hz for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.

Abstract: Obesity is treated by applying a non-ablative, non-systemic therapy to a vagus nerve of an obese patient at a site below a vagal innervation of a heart. The therapy is selected to at least partially down-regulate a neural activity on the vagus nerve of the obese patient. The therapy is applied in a manner to down-regulate at least afferent signals on the vagus nerve.

Abstract: A disorder (e.g., obesity) is treated by applying an electrical signal to an autonomic nerve (e.g., a vagus or splanchnic nerve). The treatment includes applying a signal to a nerve of a patient to be treated. The signal has a duty cycle including an ON time during which the signal is applied by to the nerve followed by an OFF time during the signal is not applied to the nerve. The ON time is selected to have a duration preferably greater than 30 seconds and up to 180 seconds.

Abstract: A patient is treated with electrode positioned within a lumen of an esophagus of the patient and positioned at a mucosal layer of the esophagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to to create a neural conduction block on a vagal trunk external to the esophagus.

Abstract: A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Abstract: The method of the invention includes accessing a juncture of an esophagus and a stomach of the patient on a distal side of a diaphragm. The esophagus and a fundus of the stomach intersect at a cardiac notch located at an original cardiac notch position. A reducing element is placed at the junction with the reducing element selected to reposition the cardiac notch to a position more distal to a lower esophageal sphincter of the patient.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.

Abstract: A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Abstract: A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Abstract: Cardiac implants include a conduit or scaffold having a first therapeutic agent in at least partial covering relation to at least a first portion of the scaffold, and a second therapeutic agent, different from the first therapeutic agent, in at least partial covering relation to at least a second portion of the scaffold. The first therapeutic agent and second therapeutic agent may include one of: antithrombotic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antiproliferative agents, antibiotic agents, angiogenic agents, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulant agents, rhestenosis preventing agents, hormones and combinations thereof. Methods for making cardiac implants include providing a scaffold, covering at least a first portion of the scaffold with a first therapeutic agent, and covering at least a second portion of the scaffold, different from the first portion, with a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A patient's upper airway condition such as snoring and sleep apnea is treated by selecting a particulate material selected for limited migration within tissue and for encouraging a fibrotic response of tissue to the material. A bolus of the particulate material is injected into the tissue area to structurally stiffen the tissue.

Abstract: Vulnerable plaque is identified through a diagnostic method by identifying pathologic markers such as C-reactive proteins or pH change generated by the pathologic site. First and second detectors are advanced through a blood vessel with each of the detectors selected to detect the pathological marker. The detectors are spaced apart while seeking the marker. Differential concentration of the pathological marker as measured by the first and second detectors indicates a presence of the pathological site in proximity to at least one of the detectors.

Abstract: The method of the invention includes accessing a juncture of an esophagus and a stomach of the patient on a distal side of a diaphragm. The esophagus and a fundus of the stomach intersect at a cardiac notch located at an original cardiac notch position. A reducing element is placed at the junction with the reducing element selected to reposition the cardiac notch to a position more distal to a lower esophageal sphincter of the patient.