Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD is capable of generating a first electrical signal for treating a medical condition, for example epilepsy. The first electrical signal relates to a long term therapy during a first time period in which there is no indication that the patient's brain is in an stable state, the first electrical signal being a microburst stimulation signal. The implantable device is also capable of generating a second electrical signal for treating the medical condition. The second electrical signal relates to a short term therapy during a second time period, in response to an indication that the patient's brain is in an unstable state. The second electrical signal in one example, may be a conventional stimulation signal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.

Abstract: We disclose a method, apparatus, and system of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device. A first electrode is coupled to a first portion of a cranial nerve of the patient. A second electrode is coupled to a second portion of the cranial nerve of the patient. A first electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes. The first electrical signal is provided in a first polarity configuration in which the first electrode functions as an anode and the second electrode functions as a cathode. Upon termination of the first electrical signal, the anode and cathode each comprise a first accumulated energy. A second electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes, in which the second electrical signal includes at least a portion of the first accumulated energy.

Abstract: We disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device including coupling at least a first electrode and a second electrode to a cranial nerve of the patient, providing a programmable electrical signal generator coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, generating a first electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the first electrical signal to the electrodes, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode, generating a second electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the second electrical signal to the electrodes, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, generating a

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for providing trans-esophageal electrical signal therapy to a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a medical condition. An implantable medical device comprising at least one electrode is implanted in an inner lumen of the esophagus of the patient. At least one electrode is electrically coupled to the inner lumen of the esophagus. An electrical signal from the IMD is provided to a target portion of the vagus nerve through at least a portion of the wall of the esophagus for treating the medical condition.

Abstract: Devices and methods of non-surgically providing vagus nerve therapy trans-esophageally to treat a variety of medical conditions are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises a support member having an outer surface. The support member is adapted to engage the inner wall of an esophagus. The IMD also comprises at least one electrode disposed on the outer surface of the support member. The at least one electrode is capable of applying a trans-esophageal electrical signal to the vagus nerve through the wall of the esophagus from the inner lumen thereof. The implantable medical device further comprises a signal generator coupled to the support member and to the at least one electrode. The signal generator causes the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to the vagus nerve to treat a medical condition.

Abstract: Devices and methods of non-surgically providing vagus nerve therapy trans-esophageally to treat a variety of medical conditions are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises a support member having an outer surface. The support member is adapted to engage the inner wall of an esophagus. The IMD also comprises at least one electrode disposed on the outer surface of the support member. The at least one electrode is capable of applying a trans-esophageal electrical signal to the vagus nerve through the wall of the esophagus from the inner lumen thereof. The implantable medical device further comprises a signal generator coupled to the support member and to the at least one electrode. The signal generator causes the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to the vagus nerve to treat a medical condition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.

Abstract: An improved, non-resorbable annuloplasty ring that will provide support for the valve annulus while also promoting healing and/or regeneration of the annulus tissue is disclosed. Healing and/or regeneration of valvular tissue is promoted using a growth factor mixture that has been shown to be capable of promoting growth of a wide range of tissues, including heart valve tissue, and which promotes tissue growth based upon the local tissue environment (i.e., specific cell recruitment and proliferation). Thus, an annuloplasty ring that provides an actual healing response in addition to mechanical support to a dilated heart valve annulus is provided.

Abstract: An improved, non-resorbable annuloplasty ring that will provide support for the valve annulus while also promoting healing and/or regeneration of the annulus tissue is disclosed. Healing and/or regeneration of valvular tissue is promoted using a growth factor mixture that has been shown to be capable of promoting growth of a wide range of tissues, including heart valve tissue, and which promotes tissue growth based upon the local tissue environment (i.e., specific cell recruitment and proliferation). Thus, an annuloplasty ring that provides an actual healing response in addition to mechanical support to a dilated heart valve annulus is provided.