Abstract: A method for evaluating gastric and upper small intestine motility and emptying in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging includes administering a contrast agent to the subject; acquiring, using an MRI system, a set of MR data from the subject using a three-dimensional volumetric pulse sequence. The volumetric pulse sequence has a temporal resolution and a spatial resolution configured to facilitate measurement of volumetric and motility parameters. The method further includes reconstructing a set of images using the set of MR data, segmenting each image in the set of images to isolate a region of interest in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, determining at least one volumetric and motility parameter based on the set of segmented images, and generating a report indicating the at least one volumetric or motility parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for neurostimulation timed relative to respiratory activity. Neurostimulation may be delivered to the spinal cord, the vagus nerve, and/or branches of the vagus nerve to provide therapeutic outcomes by controlling or adjusting stimulation based on pulmonary activity. In particular, the systems and methods use a detecting device to detect respiratory activity over time. Specific points in the respiratory signal are identified where central autonomic nuclei may be more receptive to afferent input and a stimulator is instructed to provide neurostimulation to at least one auricular branch of a vagus nerve, or to a cervical branch of the vagus nerve, or to a spinal cord of the subject. In this regard, the neurostimulation is advantageously correlated to the detected respiratory activity providing improved therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for neurostimulation timed relative to respiratory activity. Neurostimulation may be delivered to the spinal cord, the vagus nerve, and/or branches of the vagus nerve to provide therapeutic outcomes by controlling or adjusting stimulation based on pulmonary activity. In particular, the systems and methods use a detecting device to detect respiratory activity over time. Specific points in the respiratory signal are identified where central autonomic nuclei may be more receptive to afferent input and a stimulator is instructed to provide neurostimulation to at least one auricular branch of a vagus nerve, or to a cervical branch of the vagus nerve, or to a spinal cord of the subject. In this regard, the neurostimulation is advantageously correlated to the detected respiratory activity providing improved therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: A method for evaluating gastric and upper small intestine motility and emptying in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging includes administering a contrast agent to the subject; acquiring, using an MRI system, a set of MR data from the subject using a three-dimensional volumetric pulse sequence. The volumetric pulse sequence has a temporal resolution and a spatial resolution configured to facilitate measurement of volumetric and motility parameters. The method further includes reconstructing a set of images using the set of MR data, segmenting each image in the set of images to isolate a region of interest in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, determining at least one volumetric and motility parameter based on the set of segmented images, and generating a report indicating the at least one volumetric or motility parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for neurostimulation timed relative to respiratory activity. Neurostimulation may be delivered to the spinal cord, the vagus nerve, and/or branches of the vegus nerve to provide therapeutic outcomes by controlling or adjusting stimulation based on pulmonary activity. In particular, the systems and methods use a detecting device to detect respiratory activity over time. Specific points in the respiratory signal are identified where central autonomic nuclei may be more receptive to afferent input and a stimulator is instructed to provide neurostimulation to at least one auricular branch of a vagus nerve, or to a cervical branch of the vagus nerve, or to a spinal cord of the subject. In this regard, the neurostimulation is advantageously correlated to the detected respiratory activity providing improved therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: Neurostimulation is provided to afferent nerve fibers of an auricular vagal nerve of a patient. The neurostimulation is harmonized with the pulmonary activity of the patient. In one implementation, a neurostimulation is gated to a portion of the respiratory cycle. For example, the auricular vagal nerve may be stimulated at the end of exhalation. In another implementation, a stimulation regiment to multiple electrodes are harmonized with pre-selected triggers within the respiratory cycle to achieve selective stimulation and/or bilateral stimulation.

Abstract: Neurostimulation is provided to afferent nerve fibers of an auricular vagal nerve of a patient. The neurostimulation is harmonized with the pulmonary activity of the patient. In one implementation, a neurostimulation is gated to a portion of the respiratory cycle. For example, the auricular vagal nerve may be stimulated at the end of exhalation. In another implementation, a stimulation regiment to multiple electrodes are harmonized with pre-selected triggers within the respiratory cycle to achieve selective stimulation and/or bilateral stimulation.