Abstract: A means for treating breathing disorders by stimulating respiratory muscles or nerves to entrain respiratory systems while leaving respiratory drive intact. Embodiments of the invention employ frequency analysis to determine if appropriate stimulation energy is being applied.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic nerve through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing vagal tone and secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by excitory pacing of the heart atria. Atrial pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in atrial contraction against closed AV valves, and atrial contraction rate that is higher than the ventricular contraction rate. Pacing results in the increased atrial wall stress. An implantable device is used to monitor ECG and pace the atria in a nonphysiologic manner.

Abstract: A system for treating disordered breathing of a human being includes an implantable transvenous stimulation lead having at least one stimulation electrode and a sensor configured to detect activity level of the human being. The system includes an energy source, a pulse generator and circuitry, the circuitry operative to receive a signal indicative of the activity level of the human being from the sensor, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause the energy source and the pulse generator to deliver spaced apart stimulation signals to the at least one stimulation electrode while the activity level of the human being is sufficiently low to be indicative of sleep. Spaced apart stimulation pulses from the electrode are configured to extend a duration of a time of at least one breath being defined as the time from an onset of inhalation to the onset of inhalation of a successive breath.

Abstract: A system including: an antenna configured to be implanted in a region a living body, wherein a frequency response and/or attenuation response of the antenna shifts in response to changes in a physiological condition of the living body at the region; an input/output module outside the living body and configured to actuate the antenna to generate a response signal and to receive the response signal, wherein the response signal indicates a frequency response and/or attenuation response of the antenna; and a processor configured to: detect whether the frequency response and/or attenuation response indicates a shift in the frequency and/or attenuation response of the antenna; and in response to the detection of the shift issue and/or record a notice that a change occurred in the physiological condition at the region inside the living body.

Abstract: A method includes the step of inserting a catheter inside a vein adjacent to an artery and inflating a balloon within the vein. A focus of a reflector for a shockwave emitter on the catheter is adjusted to be within the artery. The method further includes generating a shockwave within the balloon and directing the shockwave via the reflector through the wall of the vein and the wall of the artery.

Abstract: A delivery tool configured to surgically position an electrode assembly on a patient's anterior scalene muscle and phrenic nerve, the delivery tool including: an electrode carrying portion comprising a receiving space with at least one aperture in a floor of the receiving space, the receiving space being configured to hold an electrode assembly; a lead carrying portion extending from the electrode carrying portion, the lead carrying portion being configured to hold a lead connected to the electrode assembly; and a securing device configured to hold the electrode assembly in place relative to a stimulation target when the delivery tool is inserted into a patient's body, the securing device being further configured to allow the electrode to be repositioned after the electrode assembly has been held in place by the securing device.

Abstract: A system for ablative treatment of a targeted lung tissue including: an ablation energy source; a source of conductive hypertonic saline solution; a catheter configured to position a distal portion of the catheter within an airway passage in a lung; an ablation element coupled to the distal portion configured deliver energy into the airway passage; an irrigation port on the distal portion configured to dispense the hypertonic saline solution into the airway passage of the lung, and a controller that controls delivery of energy from the ablation element into the airway passage to ablate lung tissue in the target area and infusion of the conductive hypertonic saline solution through the irrigation port into the airway passage during the delivery of the energy.

Abstract: Techniques for addressing sleep disorders are provided. A system includes a nerve stimulator that is configured to deliver stimulation energy to a nerve of a sleeping patient. A system includes a sensor for gather data from the sleeping patient and a controller for processing the data. The controller is configured to cause the stimulation energy that is provided to be adjusted based on the sensed data.

Abstract: Techniques for addressing sleep disorders are provided. A system includes a nerve stimulator that is configured to deliver stimulation energy to a nerve of a sleeping patient. A system includes a sensor for gather data from the sleeping patient and a controller for processing the data. The controller is configured to cause the stimulation energy that is provided to be adjusted based on the sensed data.

Abstract: A method to treat patients suffering from fluid overload including: administrating a diuretic to the patient to increase urine output of the patient; monitoring intravascular volume of the patient; and maintaining the patient in a condition in which the intravascular volume is below a baseline intravascular volume and above a hemodynamic level by adjusting the administered diuretic.

Abstract: A apparatus and method to treat patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), heart failure or another fluid overload condition, that includes: administrating a diuretic to the patient to increase urine output of the patient; monitoring a rate or amount of urine output by the patient after administration of the diuretic; infusing a hydration liquid into the patient to induce an increase in the urine output; and adjusting the rate or amount of the hydration liquid infused into the patient to achieve a target fluid loss in the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure by increasing secretion of endogenous naturetic hormones ANP and BNP such as by stimulation of the heart atria. Heart pacing is done at an atrial contraction rate that is increased and can be higher than the ventricular contraction rate. Pacing may include mechanical distension of the right atrial appendage. An implantable device is used to periodically cyclically stretch the walls of the appendage with an implanted balloon.

Abstract: A means for treating breathing disorders by stimulating respiratory muscles or nerves to entrain respiratory systems while leaving respiratory drive intact. Embodiments of the invention employ frequency analysis to determine if appropriate stimulation energy is being applied.

Abstract: A method to treat a human patient including: advancing a catheter through a natural airway of the patient and positioning a distal portion of the catheter in the natural airway of a lung of the patient to a target region in the lung, injecting a conductive hypertonic saline solution having a concentration of at least 5% of sodium chloride by weight/volume from the distal portion of the catheter into the target region; delivering energy from the distal portion into the conductive hypertonic saline solution in the target region, wherein the energy heats the liquid in the portion of the airway, and ablating the target region with the heated liquid.

Abstract: Microwave catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a microwave transmission element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Renal neuromodulation may be achieved via dielectric heating in the presence of microwave irradiation that modulates neural fibers that contribute to renal function or alters vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: Microwave catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a microwave transmission element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Renal neuromodulation may be achieved via dielectric heating in the presence of microwave irradiation that modulates neural fibers that contribute to renal function or alters vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by pacing of the heart. Pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in premature atrial contraction that does not result in ventricular contraction. Pacing results in the atrial wall stress, peripheral vasodilation, ANP secretion. Concomitant reduction of the heart rate is monitored and controlled as needed with backup pacing.

Abstract: A method to treat patients suffering from fluid overload including: administrating a diuretic to the patient to increase urine output of the patient; monitoring intravascular volume of the patient; and maintaining the patient in a condition in which the intravascular volume is below a baseline intravascular volume and above a hemodynamic level by adjusting the administered diuretic.

Abstract: Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an elongated shaft having distal portion and a supply lumen along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site proximate a renal artery or renal ostium. The supply lumen can be configured to receive a liquid refrigerant. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a cooling assembly at the distal portion of the shaft. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when the cooling assembly is in a deployed state.