Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and regulating temperatures of neurostimulator programmers are provided herein. A neurostimulator programmer may include one or more sensors that may detect one or more temperatures associated with the neurostimulator programmer. Each of the one or more sensors may be associated with one or more respective threshold values. When these threshold values are exceeded, one or more courses of actions may be taken by the neurostimulator programmer. For example, the neurostimulator programmer may reduce functionality of one or more heat-generating components, increase monitoring of temperature, and/or initiate shutdown of the neurostimulator programmer. In some cases, two or more such methods may be performed simultaneously, for example, one method to deal with high temperatures and another method to deal with particularly excessive temperatures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector rectacle through which the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a plurality of differing connector to facilitate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assesssing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG patch adhered to a skin surface of a patient and connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location. The EPG may be a modified version of the IPG used in the permanent system, the EPG may be smaller and/or lighter than the corresponding IPG device. The EPG and a lead extension may be sealed to allow improved patient mobility and reduced risk of infection. The EPG may be compatible with wireless systems used to control and monitor the IPG such that operation and control of the EPG is substantially the same in each system to allow seemless conversion to the permanently implanted system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for facilitating remote programming of an implanted neurostimulation device are provided herein. Such methods include establishing communication between an implanted pulse generator of the neurostimulation system and a remote device associated with a remote support entity through one or more intermediary devices. The intermediary devices can include any of: a patient remote, a charger, a specialized communicator device, a plug-in accessory, and a patient device to facilitate communication of patient and program information for a current neurostimulation therapy. The remote device determines or receives a program update of one or more parameters or a new neurostimulation program and updates the implantable pulse generator through the intermediary devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector receptacle through which the the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a plurality of differing connector to facilitate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes an ablation system. The ablation system may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A plurality of ablation tines may be disposed at the distal region. Each of the ablation tines may include a tubular member having a flexible circuit disposed therein. The flexible circuit may include a substrate, one or more electrodes coupled to the substrate, and a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to the one or more electrodes. The plurality of ablation tines may include a first ablation tine and a second ablation tine. A pair of bipolar electrodes may defined by a first electrode disposed at the first ablation tine and a second electrode disposed at the second ablation tine.

Abstract: A medical device for tissue ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include a temperature sensor aligned with two or more electrodes.

Abstract: A medical device for tissue ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include a temperature sensor aligned with two or more electrodes.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes an ablation system. The ablation system may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A plurality of ablation tines may be disposed at the distal region. Each of the ablation tines may include a tubular member having a flexible circuit disposed therein. The flexible circuit may include a substrate, one or more electrodes coupled to the substrate, and a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to the one or more electrodes. The plurality of ablation tines may include a first ablation tine and a second ablation tine. A pair of bipolar electrodes may defined by a first electrode disposed at the first ablation tine and a second electrode disposed at the second ablation tine.

Abstract: A catheter and catheter system can use energy tailored for remodeling and/or removal of target material proximate to a body lumen, often of stenotic material or tissue in the luminal wall of a blood vessel of a patient. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expendable structure may have a plurality of electrodes or other electrosurgical energy delivery surfaces to radically engage the luminal wall when the structure expands. Feedback using one or parameters of voltage, current, power, temperature, impedance magnitude, impedance phase angle, and frequency may be used to selectively control the delivery of energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and regulating temperatures of neurostimulator programmers are provided herein. A neurostimulator programmer may include one or more sensors that may detect one or more temperatures associated with the neurostimulator programmer. Each of the one or more sensors may be associated with one or more respective threshold values. When these threshold values are exceeded, one or more courses of actions may be taken by the neurostimulator programmer. For example, the neurostimulator programmer may reduce functionality of one or more heat-generating components, increase monitoring of temperature, and/or initiate shutdown of the neurostimulator programmer. In some cases, two or more such methods may be performed simultaneously, for example, one method to deal with high temperatures and another method to deal with particularly excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A training system for a neurostimulation system that may be used to simulate a neurostimulator programming session and/or lead placement. The system may include a training device that may be coupled to a neurostimulator programmer and may include an interface to allow user interaction and/or display information relevant to the stimulation. The trainer device may include circuitry for simulating a neurostimulator such as an IPG or EPG, and may include circuitry for simulating impedance associated with lead placement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assesssing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG patch adhered to a skin surface of a patient and connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location. The EPG may be a modified version of the IPG used in the permanent system, the EPG may be smaller and/or lighter than the corresponding IPG device. The EPG and a lead extension may be sealed to allow improved patient mobility and reduced risk of infection. The EPG may be compatible with wireless systems used to control and monitor the IPG such that operation and control of the EPG is substantially the same in each system to allow seemless conversion to the permanently implanted system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG patch adhered to a skin surface of a patient and connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location. The EPG may be a modified version of the IPG used in the permanent system, the EPG may be smaller and/or lighter than the corresponding IPG device. The EPG and a lead extension may be sealed to allow improved patient mobility and reduced risk of infection. The EPG may be compatible with wireless systems used to control and monitor the IPG such that operation and control of the EPG is substantially the same in each system to allow seamless conversion to the permanently implanted system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assessing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incision to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector receptacle through which the the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a plurality of differing connector to facilitate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a trial neurostimulation to a patient for assesssing suitability of a permanently implanted neurostimulation are provided herein. In one aspect, a trial neurostimulation system includes an EPG affixation device that secures the EPG to the patient when connected to a lead extending through a percutaneous incission to a target tissue location, while allowing for ready removal of the EPG for charging or bathing. In another aspect, the system includes an EPG provided with a multi-purpose connector rectacle through which the EPG can deliver neurostimulation therapy to an implanted lead or the EPG can be charged. In yet another aspect, the EPG can include a multi-purpose connector receptacle that is alternatingly connectable with a plurality of differing connector to faciltiate differing types of therapies with one or more neurostimulation devices, ground patches or various other devices, such as charging or testing devices.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a control unit for determining an electrical leakage between a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad of an in vivo medical device. The first electrode pad may be spaced from the second electrode pad. The first electrode pad may have an active electrode and a spaced ground electrode. The second electrode pad may have an active electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode of the first electrode pad may be electrically connected to the ground electrode of the second electrode pad.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example method may include a method for treating a patient having congestive heart failure. The method may include positioning an expandable balloon in a renal artery of the patient. The expandable balloon may include a plurality of electrode assemblies. At least some of the electrode assemblies each may include at least two bipolar electrode pairs. The two bipolar electrode pairs may be longitudinally and circumferentially offset from one another. The method may also include expanding the balloon in the renal artery such that at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs are electrically coupled to a wall of the renal artery and energizing at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs so as to therapeutically alter at least one nerve proximate the renal artery to treat the patient's congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Simulation systems for demonstrating and/or testing medical devices and methods for demonstrating and/or testing medical devices using simulation systems are disclosed. An example simulation system may include a simulation module. The simulation module may include circuitry and one or more indicators. The circuitry may be capable of establishing impedance levels simulating impedances at tissue-electrode conduction paths. In some cases, the circuitry may be capable of sensing a temperature at the simulated tissue-electrode conduction paths. The one or more indicators may be able to provide indications corresponding to the established impedance levels. An example method of demonstrating or testing a medical device may include determining whether established impedance levels match electrode activation settings of an ablation generator (e.g., a medical device).

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example method may include a method for treating tissue near a body passageway using an apparatus including a catheter having a plurality of electrodes, a radio-frequency energy generator, and a controller coupling the energy generator to the plurality of electrodes and configured to selectively energize the electrodes. The method may include using the apparatus to subject the tissue near the body passageway to a plurality of energy treatment cycles. The treatment cycle may include determining desired voltages for at least a subset of the electrodes for maintaining a predetermined target temperature profile proximate the subset of electrodes, setting an output voltage of the energy generator to correspond to the desired voltage determined for one of the electrodes, and energizing at least some of the electrodes at the output voltage to deliver energy to the body passageway.