Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including delivering a series of pulses with alternating pulse polarities to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The series of pulses includes at least a first pulse of a first polarity, a second pulse of a second polarity, and a third pulse of the first polarity, where the first, second and third pulses are delivered in direct succession and in that order. The first and second pulses are separated by a first time delay and the second and third pulses are separated by a second time delay. In some examples, each of the first and second time delays depend on the frequency that the series of pulses are delivered.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to gastric stimulation programmers, stimulators and methods for controlling delivery of gastric stimulation therapy to maintain the efficacy of the therapy over time. Maintaining the efficacy of gastric stimulation therapy may be possible by implementing one or more anti-desensitization features in a gastric stimulation controller or stimulator. As electrical stimulation therapy is continuously delivered to a patient, the stimulated tissue may become desensitized to the electrical stimulation therapy such that the beneficial effect of the electrical stimulation is diminished. Once desensitization occurs, the affected tissue may not respond favorably to electrical stimulation therapy. Application of one or more anti-desensitization features to control gastric stimulation therapy may reduce or prevent desensitization and effectively extend the efficacy of the therapy over time.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.

Abstract: In some examples, electrical stimulation therapy is delivered to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.

Abstract: A device comprises a medical implant and an actively deployable clip attached to the medical implant that operates to restrict movement of the medical implant once the actively deployable clip is deployed within a body of a patient. In some embodiments, the medical implant is an electrical lead for electrical stimulation. The actively deployable clip is operable to fixate the medical implant to a body tissue once deployed, such that the actively deployable clip performs a similar function to a suture. In this manner, embodiments of the invention may provide a medical implant that requires few or even no sutures to properly fixate the implant within the patient.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for monitoring the occurrence of food intake by a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including determining a phase of tissue impedance at one or more gastrointestinal tract locations of a patient via a medical device, and determining the occurrence of food intake by the patient based on the determined phase of the tissue impedance. In some examples, a medical device may control the delivery of therapy to a patient based on the determination of food intake based on the phase to the tissue impedance.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward stimulation of a selected tissue layer. A device is attached to a target tissue by applying vacuum pressure to a vacuum cavity of the device and advancing a needle into tissue within the vacuum cavity. The depth on the vacuum cavity is selected to permit deployment at the selected tissue layer. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an implantable medical device comprising a device housing defining a vacuum cavity, and a vacuum port for application of vacuum pressure to draw tissue into the vacuum cavity, an electrode that is movable into the vacuum cavity of the device housing to contact at least a portion of the tissue drawn into the vacuum cavity, and a lead comprising at least one conductor coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.

Abstract: Techniques are described that allow an implantable device to sense gastric data and activity data from a patient, and estimate the patient's amount of energy consumed and energy expended based on the sensed data. A system provides feedback to the patient, a family member, or a doctor about the patient's energy consumed, energy expended, and net energy. The data may be provided in table or graphical format, and may show daily or weekly energy balance data or may show a trend of the daily or weekly energy data. The patient may receive feedback by an implanted alert module that provides and audio alert or a vibration alert. In addition, data acquired by the system may be used to adjust the patient's stimulation therapy parameters.

Abstract: A bulking device for implantation into a lumen wall that includes a bulking material that is configured to alter the portion of the lumen into which it is implanted and one or more therapeutic substances in association with the bulking material, wherein the device is configured to alter the portion of the lumen wall into which it is implanted. A method for inserting devices of the invention are also included.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to gastric stimulation programmers, stimulators and methods for controlling delivery of gastric stimulation therapy to maintain the efficacy of the therapy over time. Maintaining the efficacy of gastric stimulation therapy may be possible by implementing one or more anti-desensitization features in a gastric stimulation controller or stimulator. As electrical stimulation therapy is continuously delivered to a patient, the stimulated tissue may become desensitized to the electrical stimulation therapy such that the beneficial effect of the electrical stimulation is diminished. Once desensitization occurs, the affected tissue may not respond favorably to electrical stimulation therapy. Application of one or more anti-desensitization features to control gastric stimulation therapy may reduce or prevent desensitization and effectively extend the efficacy of the therapy over time.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to gastric stimulation programmers, stimulators and methods for controlling delivery of gastric stimulation therapy to maintain the efficacy of the therapy over time. Maintaining the efficacy of gastric stimulation therapy may be possible by implementing one or more anti-desensitization features in a gastric stimulation controller or stimulator. As electrical stimulation therapy is continuously delivered to a patient, the stimulated tissue may become desensitized to the electrical stimulation therapy such that the beneficial effect of the electrical stimulation is diminished. Once desensitization occurs, the affected tissue may not respond favorably to electrical stimulation therapy. Application of one or more anti-desensitization features to control gastric stimulation therapy may reduce or prevent desensitization and effectively extend the efficacy of the therapy over time.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including delivering a series of pulses with alternating pulse polarities to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The series of pulses includes at least a first pulse of a first polarity, a second pulse of a second polarity, and a third pulse of the first polarity, where the first, second and third pulses are delivered in direct succession and in that order. The first and second pulses are separated by a first time delay and the second and third pulses are separated by a second time delay. In some examples, each of the first and second time delays depend on the frequency that the series of pulses are delivered.

Abstract: A method for treatment of obesity involves implantation of bulking devices within the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to inhibit swallowing, thereby limiting food intake and treating obesity. One or more bulking devices are implanted within or near the UES to create a partial obstruction, partially impair UES muscle function, or both. The bulking devices make swallowing difficult, limiting the rate of food intake by a patient, and discouraging the patient from quickly consuming an excessive amount of food at one time.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.

Abstract: A gastro-electric stimulation system includes an INS for producing an electrical stimulation signal, at least one medical electrical lead, and at least two electrical contacts. The medical electrical lead has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the INS and the distal end being adapted for placement in or near a patient's stomach or appropriate nerve or nerve portion. The electrodes are disposed near the distal end of the medical electrical lead, and the electrodes are electrically connected through the medical electrical lead to the INS to receive the electrical stimulation signal and convey such signal to the selected electrode implant position. The electrical stimulation signal is provided in an amount and manner adapted to decrease the pH of the gastric acid in the patient's stomach and/or to increase the amount of gastric acid produced thereby.

Abstract: A method for treatment of obesity involves implantation of bulking devices within the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to inhibit swallowing, thereby limiting food intake and treating obesity. One or more bulking devices are implanted within or near the UES to create a partial obstruction, partially impair UES muscle function, or both. The bulking devices make swallowing difficult, limiting the rate of food intake by a patient, and discouraging the patient from quickly consuming an excessive amount of food at one time.

Abstract: A gastro-electric stimulation system includes an INS for producing an electrical stimulation signal, at least one medical electrical lead, and at least two electrical contacts. The medical electrical lead has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the INS, the distal end being adapted for placement in or near a patient's stomach or appropriate nerve or nerve portion. The electrodes are disposed near the distal end of the medical electrical lead, and are electrically connected through the medical electrical lead to the INS to receive the electrical stimulation signal and convey such signal to the selected electrode implant position. The electrical stimulation signal is provided in an amount and manner adapted to increase the pH of the gastric acid in the patient's stomach and/or to decrease the amount of gastric acid produced thereby.

Abstract: Techniques are described that allow an implantable device to sense gastric data and activity data from a patient, and estimate the patient's amount of energy consumed and energy expended based on the sensed data. A system provides feedback to the patient, a family member, or a doctor about the patient's energy consumed, energy expended, and net energy. The data may be provided in table or graphical format, and may show daily or weekly energy balance data or may show a trend of the daily or weekly energy data. The patient may receive feedback by an implanted alert module that provides and audio alert or a vibration alert. In addition, data acquired by the system may be used to adjust the patient's stimulation therapy parameters.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to treatment of urinary incontinence by the implantation of one or more bulking prostheses proximate to a urethral sphincter. These bulking prostheses, which may include biocompatible hydrogel, are implanted into the tissue outside the urethra, proximate to a urethral sphincter. When implanted, the bulking prostheses are in a miniature state. Upon introduction into the body, the devices enter an enlarged state. In their enlarged state, the bulking prostheses supply extra bulk to the tissues proximate to the external urethral sphincter. With the extra bulk, the patient can exercise voluntary control over the external urethral sphincter to close or maintain closure of the urethra and maintain urinary continence.