Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising, a pulse generator to generate baroreceptor stimulation pulses, a sensor circuitry, a lead adapted to be electrically connected to the pulse generator and to the sensor circuitry, the lead including an electrode to distribute the baroreceptor stimulation pulses to a baroreceptor site, a pressure sensor to provide a signal indicative of blood pressure to the sensor circuitry and a controller connected to the pulse generator and the sensor circuitry, the controller adapted to adjust the baroreceptor stimulation pulses based on the blood pressure.

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: Baroreflex activation is achieved by providing suitable control signals to a baroreflex activation device. A method comprises establishing a therapy interval (possibly on the order of minutes to hours, or possibly of indefinite duration), within the therapy interval, establishing a plurality of dose intervals, and generating an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal has a time dependence such that the average electrical power applied to the baroreflex activation device differs between first and second portions of at least some dose intervals. Another method comprises establishing a series of therapy interval portions, during at least some therapy intervals, establishing a plurality of burst intervals (perhaps having durations commensurate with an interval between heartbeats), and generating an electrical output signal.

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: A system for providing baroreflex stimulation comprises a sensor to detect a parameter and provide a signal indicative of the parameter, and a baroreflex stimulator. The baroreflex stimulator includes a driver to provide a control signal adapted to deliver a baroreflex therapy, and a controller to receive the signal indicative of the parameter and modulate the control signal based on the signal indicative of the parameter to change the baroreflex therapy from a first baroreflex therapy to a second baroreflex therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. An intravascularly implantable medical device may include a sleeve formed at least in part of an expandable member configured to be movably attachable about at least a portion of an outer surface of an expandable intravascular stent, and one or more electrodes disposed on the sleeve and coupled to a control system and configured to selectively activate baroreceptors within a wall of a vessel when the expandable intravascular stent is implanted within the vessel.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed 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 RF-coupled or other 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: Baroreflex activation is achieved by providing suitable control signals to a baroreflex activation device. A method comprises establishing a therapy interval (possibly on the order of minutes to hours, or possibly of indefinite duration), within the therapy interval, establishing a plurality of dose intervals, and generating an electrical output signal. The electrical output signal has a time dependence such that the average electrical power applied to the baroreflex activation device differs between first and second portions of at least some dose intervals. Another method comprises establishing a series of therapy interval portions, during at least some therapy intervals, establishing a plurality of burst intervals (perhaps having durations commensurate with an interval between heartbeats), and generating an electrical output signal.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed 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 RF-coupled or other 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 disclosed 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 RF-coupled or other 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: Improved methods for obtaining physiological parameters of a patient in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention can be used to monitor patient status and/or in conjunction with patient therapy. Physiological parameters can be monitored with an implantable device including a first lead and a second lead. Physiological parameters can be measured along at least three distinct vectors defined by the first lead and second lead, the first lead and an electrode located on the device body, and the second lead an the electrode. An output indicative of the physiological parameter can then be provided. Therapy, such as baroreflex therapy, can optionally be optimized based on the physiological measurements.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more physiological parameter of a patient by providing a plurality of implantable electrodes proximate a blood vessel of the patient, applying a measurement signal through the plurality of electrodes, the measurement signal having a known parameter, obtaining a resultant signal through the plurality of electrodes, the resultant signal having a resultant parameter, calculating vascular impedance based on the measurement signal and the resultant signal, and calculating a physiological parameter based on the vascular impedance. In some embodiments, the physiological parameter is utilized to modify a therapy signal controlling therapy delivered to the patient.

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: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for using the same for activating (stimulating) the baroreflex system of a patient using a baroreflex activation system which may be automatically shut off or discontinue therapy by sensing/monitoring/interpreting sensed data which is indicative of a physiological condition of a patient.

Abstract: Electrode structures for implantation include an electrode, an elastic backing attached to the electrode, and a sequestered drug on the backing or the electrode which is released to control and/or limit the growth of scar tissue. The elastic backing includes a tissue contacting side which contacts a tissue structure, and an exposed side away from the tissue contacting side. The electrode structure can be used to activate baroreceptors, and the backing is elastic and can stretch and retract with the tissue structure, for example the carotid sinus. The electrode and the sequestered drug can be positioned on the tissue contacting side so the drug is released near the electrode. The backing can be made from an insulating material and limit diffusion of the drug toward the exposed side, permitting scar tissue to grow near the exposed side to maintain positioning of the electrode.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described for controlling, preventing and/or treating epileptic seizures by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces seizure activity, thereby minimizing the effects of epilepsy. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor on the patient's arterial or venous vasculature, for example in the carotid sinus, aortic arch, inferior vena cava, or the like. One or more optional sensors, such as EEG sensors, detect neurological activity to help determine when to activate baroreceptors to reduce or prevent seizures.

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: Methods and systems for external baroreflex activation allow a physician to characterize a patient's response to baroreflex activation prior to providing baroreflex activation therapy. Methods generally include applying a baroreflex activation stimulus to a patient, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the patient, and determining the extent to which the baroreflex activation causes a baroreflex response. Multiple stimuli of different intensities and/or from different locations may be compared. Systems include one or more external baroreflex activation devices and one or more physiological parameter measuring devices. Optionally, a system may also include one or more fully or partially implantable devices for providing baroreflex activation therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods by which the real or apparent renovascular perfusion and intrarenal pressure may be selectively and controllably increased. By selectively and controllably increasing renovascular perfusion and interstitial hydrostatic pressure when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood or when renal perfusion is suboptimal, the present invention reduces or reverses neurohormonal activation and fluid retention, and thereby minimizes their deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature, kidneys and other body systems.