Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for preventing, moderating, and/or treating brain injury. The methods herein may include obtaining a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in the subject, determining a stimulation parameter based on the test result, and stimulating a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject. The systems herein may include a processor configured to: receive a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in a subject, and determine a stimulation parameter based on the test result; and a stimulator configured to stimulate a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a user interface and a control unit. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify an electrode combination and determine a threshold charge for use in stimulating the body tissue. The processors identifications and determinations may be based at least partially on input received via the user interface.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, relates to an intravascular electrode system. The system comprises one or more electrodes supported on an elongated resiliently flexible support member, and the support member may be used to introduce the electrodes into a blood vessel. As the support member is introduced into the blood vessel the support member bends to follow the path of the blood vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, among other embodiments, systems and related methods for selecting electrode combinations to be used during nerve pacing procedures. A first set of electrode combinations of a nerve pacing system, such as a phrenic nerve pacing system for diaphragm activation, may be mapped (or tested) to determine the location of the electrode combinations relative to a target nerve. Once the general location of the target nerve is known, a more localized second set of electrode combinations may be tested to determine the most suitable electrode combinations for nerve stimulation. At various stages of the mapping process, electrode combinations that are non-optimal may be discarded as candidates for use in a nerve pacing procedure. The systems and methods described herein may allow for the selection of electrode combinations that are most suitable for stimulation of the left and right phrenic nerves during diaphragm pacing.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, among other embodiments, a catheter. The catheter may include an outer layer defining a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a body defining at least one longitudinal lumen therein. The body may be within the outer layer, and the apertures may be radially outward of the lumen. The catheter may also include a plurality of electrodes positioned in or on the catheter, with each electrode being electrically exposed through an aperture of the plurality of apertures. A ribbon cable may extend through the lumen and include a plurality of leads, with the plurality of leads being electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of leads and electrodes may be formed by the deposition of conductive inks or paints, or by the electrodeposition of copper or other conductive metals or materials.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for stimulating a respiratory muscle of a patient. The methods herein may include positioning a stimulator adjacent a nerve capable of activating the respiratory muscle; activating the stimulator to cause the respiratory muscle to contract; and ceasing the activation of the stimulator for a period of time. The level and the time of the stimulation may be adjusted for various applications. One or more of the steps in the methods may be repeated. The systems herein may include a stimulator for positioning adjacent a nerve capable of activating the respiratory muscle; a signal generator for providing stimulation energy to the stimulator; a sensor for detecting a response of the respiratory muscle to the stimulation energy; and a controller programmed to control the signal generator for providing stimulation with desired level and time.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for preventing, moderating, and/or treating brain injury. The methods herein may include obtaining a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in the subject, determining a stimulation parameter based on the test result, and stimulating a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject. The systems herein may include a processor configured to: receive a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in a subject, and determine a stimulation parameter based on the test result; and a stimulator configured to stimulate a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for preventing, moderating, and/or treating brain injury. The methods herein may include obtaining a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in the subject, determining a stimulation parameter based on the test result, and stimulating a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject. The systems herein may include a processor configured to: receive a test result reflecting a condition of a brain in a subject, and determine a stimulation parameter based on the test result; and a stimulator configured to stimulate a nerve based on the stimulation parameter, wherein stimulation of the nerve assists or causes contraction of a respiratory muscle in the subject.

Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.

Abstract: A method for positioning an intravascular catheter may include inserting the intravascular catheter into a venous system of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of electrodes, and multiple electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are configured to emit electrical signals; positioning a distal portion of the catheter in a first position; using one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to acquire an ECG signal; based on the acquired ECG signal, adjusting the distal portion of the catheter to a second position different from the first position; identifying at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a first nerve; identifying at least one second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second nerve; and stimulating at least one of the first and second nerves to cause a contraction of a respiratory muscle.