Abstract: A gastrointestinal treatment system including a gastrointestinal capsule adapted to treat a subject following ingestion of the gastrointestinal capsule. The gastrointestinal capsule includes: (a) a housing; (b) a vibrating agitator, powered by the battery, the vibrating agitator adapted such that, in a first vibrating mode of operation, the housing exerts vibrations on an environment surrounding the capsule; (c) a power supply disposed within the housing and adapted to power the vibrating agitator; and (d) a controller adapted, in response to receipt of an activation input, to activate the vibrating agitator to operate in the first vibrating mode of operation at at least one predetermined time of day. The system and method may be used to treat an ailment of the gastrointestinal tract and/or to mitigate at least one symptom of jetlag in a subject travelling from an origin location to a destination location.

Abstract: A method for treatment of incontinence by targeted nerve stimulation where a signal generator is provided to generate a stimulation signal to modulate a patient's voiding disorder having the symptoms of abnormal urgency, incontinence or retention. A stimulator targets a portion of the patient's nervous tissue where the nervous tissue may be the patient's saphenous nerve, the patient's lateral plantar nerve or the patient's medial plantar nerve. The stimulation signal is applied to the patient's nervous tissue to activate the nervous tissue in order to modulate the voiding disorder.

Abstract: This application is generally related to systems and methods for providing a medical therapy to a patient by tracking patient activity and adjusting medical therapy based on occurrence of different types of activities performed by the patient while automatically rescheduling stimulation programs based on detected patient activity.

Abstract: An electrical treatment device includes: a plurality of electrodes to be in contact with a part of a body of a user; and a controller that performs a treatment onto the part by applying, to the plurality of electrodes, a burst wave that is constituted of a continuous wave of a plurality of pulses. The controller outputs a first burst wave including a plurality of pulses each having a first amplitude, and after outputting the first burst wave, controller repeatedly outputs a second burst wave including a plurality of positive pulses each having a second amplitude and a third burst wave including a plurality of negative pulses having a third amplitude. The first amplitude is larger than each of the second amplitude and the third amplitude.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) includes minimally invasively implanting a stimulating device in a patient's esophagus in the region proximate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The patient is provided with a questionnaire related to his disease via an online service. The questionnaire is accessed on a mobile device, such as a cell phone, or on a computer with network access. The data from the sensors and the answers from the questionnaire are analyzed together by a health care provider using the online service. The data and answers are used to program the stimulating device, via the mobile device or computer, to optimize treatment.

Abstract: A system for tracking diet and nutrition includes an oral module configured to be affixed within a mouth of a user and including a set of salivary sensors responsive to a level of at least one nutrient. The system also includes a set of eating event sensors responsive to an eating event. The set of eating event sensors can be included in the oral module, or can be included in a body module configured to be affixed adjacent to a body part of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved user experience with rechargers for implantable medical devices. An external charging device for providing power to a rechargeable implantable device can determine a firmware state of the external charging device during recharging of the rechargeable implantable device, display a searching indication using a light indicator when the firmware state is determined to be in a searching state, display a charging indication using the light indicator when the firmware state is determined to be a charging state, and display an error indication using the light indicator when the firmware state is determined to be an error state. An optional user device application can provide complementary graphical user interfaces according to the firmware states.

Abstract: A plasma applicator comprising an electrotechnical core for generating a cold atmospheric pressure or low-pressure plasma for the treatment of human and/or animal and/or technical surfaces, wherein the electrotechnical core has a side facing the surface to be treated and a side facing away from the surface to be treated and comprises the following layers, arranged above one another, starting from the side facing the surface to be treated, a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure which is provided with a first contact for establishing electrical contact between the first electrode structure and a power supply unit and which is grounded during operation, a second insulation layer, which is embodied to galvanically isolate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another, a second electrode structure which is provided with a second contact for establishing electrical contact between the second electrode structure and a power supply unit and which is driven during opera

Abstract: An ingestible gastrointestinal phototherapy device has a spherocylindrical body of non-digestible material having a cylindrical midsection and transparent light portals at ends thereof. The cylindrical midsection has control circuitry and a power source therein and each light portal is transparent and comprises an array of bioactive light source elements therein emitting bioactive light therefrom and being operably coupled to the control circuitry and power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a gastrointestinal condition of a patient includes minimally invasively implanting a modular or non-modular stimulation system in a patient's treatment site. The treatment site is in or on a gastric wall and electrical stimulation is provided to the gastric wall to improve a function or pressure a lower esophageal sphincter of the patient. Electrical stimulation is provided for a short period of time and treatment efficacy is evaluated through clinical results and patient reporting. If therapy is not effective, stimulation parameters may be changed.

Abstract: An auricular nerve field stimulation device may include a first plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a ventral aspect of an auricle, a second plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a dorsal aspect of the auricle, and electrical circuitry coupled to the electrodes and configured to selectively apply electrical stimulation signals to the electrodes to cause a first set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a first pairing, and to cause a second set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a second pairing different from the first pairing, the first and second sets of trans-auricular currents to stimulate at least one auricular nerve field within the auricle. Methods of utilizing nerve field stimulation device.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system includes a conductive element, a magnetic field generator, a power module and a computer processor. The conductive element located internal a patient's body. At least a portion of the conductive element is positioned adjacent to a target tissue. The magnetic field generator is positioned external to the patient's body. The magnetic field generator generates a time varying magnetic field for inducing stimulation of the target tissue in combination with the conductive element to produce stimulation that is larger than that which would occur in the absence of the conductive element. The power module supplies power to the magnetic field generator. The computer processor controls the time varying magnetic field provided by the magnetic field generator according to at least one set of stimulation parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for treating epilepsy by stimulating a main trunk of a vagus nerve, or a left vagus nerve, when the patient has had no seizure or a seizure that is not characterized by cardiac changes such as an increase in heart rate, and stimulating a cardiac branch of a vagus nerve, or a right vagus nerve, when the patient has had a seizure characterized by cardiac changes such as a heart rate increase.

Abstract: A medical device is configured to deliver a series of electrical stimulation pulses including opposing polarity pulses. The medical device delivers a charge balancing pulse by modifying every nth pulse of the electrical stimulation pulses to reduce a net charge delivered over the series of electrical stimulation pulses. In some examples, the medical device may be an implantable medical device that is coupled to an extra-cardiovascular lead for delivering the cardiac pacing pulses.

Abstract: A method for estimating neural activation arising from stimulation by a stimulation system includes identifying different neural elements stimulated by the stimulation; obtaining a neural response signal resulting from the stimulation by the stimulation system; and decomposing the neural response signal to estimate neural activation of each of the different neural elements.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to improve vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy. In particular, described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to detect P300 and/or activation of the nucleus basalis and/or the locus coeruleus to determine the efficacy of VNS. The EEG recordings can be used to provide feedback control to help optimize stimulation parameters and to screen for patients that respond well to VNS therapy.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems for stimulating tissue, such as heart tissue. In some embodiments, an implantable medical device system includes a controller-transmitter and a receiver-stimulator in operable communication with one another. The receiver-stimulator can be implanted at the heart of a patient. The controller-transmitter can be configured to transmit an acoustic signal to the receiver-stimulator, which receives the acoustic signal and converts the acoustic signal to electrical energy for delivery to the heart via one or more stimulation electrodes. The receiver-stimulator can further be configured to transmit a radiofrequency signal to the controller-transmitter including information about sensed physiological parameters of the patient, status information, and the like.

Abstract: The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of GERD. Individuals with GERD may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow, have improved energy storage requirements, enable improved LES function while concurrently delivering additional health benefits, and enable improved LES function post stimulation termination.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for the treatment of conditions pertaining to bladder control. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods directed to the application of electrical stimulation to the proximal urethra and associated nervous tissue to elicit voiding contractions that normalize bladder function.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for mapping gastric activity with an electrode array patch disposed over an abdomen skin surface of a patient. A method may include measuring electrical signals associated with gastric activity of the patient with the electrode array patch over a predetermined time period and concurrently receiving patient symptom information, determining one or more normalized biometrics from the measured electrical signals, correlating the one or more normalized biometrics and the patient symptom information, determining a measure of correlation, determining a measure of temporal association, and determining a gastrointestinal phenotype of the patient based at least in part on the measure of correlation and the measure of temporal association.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for state-dependent pudendal nerve stimulation for bladder control in a subject and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, are used to modify the secretion of insulin and glucagon from the pancreas, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating are used to control sensitivity of the liver to plasma insulin and glucagon to treat impaired glucose regulation.

Abstract: Systems for delivering therapy to an intestinal muscle in a patient may comprise a cardiac sensor, an intestinal sensor, an implantable pulse generator and a signal delivery device. The signal delivery device may be configured to deliver a stimulation signal to the muscle. The implantable pulse generator may comprise a microcontroller configured to receive cardiac data from the cardiac sensor and calculate a heart rate parameter therefrom, receive intestinal activity data from the intestinal sensor and calculate an intestinal activity parameter therefrom, determine a physiological state of a patient based on the parameters, adjust a stimulation parameter of the stimulation signal based on the determined state, and instruct the signal delivery device to deliver an adjusted stimulation signal.

Abstract: A neurostimulator is configured to activate a set of N electrodes, which are each adapted to stimulate at least a portion of a population of neurons when activated and applied in an invasive manner, at respective onset times T1 . . . TN throughout a cycle period T. N is an integer larger than two and the cycle period T is defined as a time period within which each of the N electrodes is activated exactly once. The onset times T1 . . . TN are not arranged substantially uniformly throughout the cycle period T.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems for delivering and adjusting stimulation therapy. In one example, a method comprising delivering, by a stimulation electrode, electrical stimulation as a candidate therapy to a patient according to a set of candidate therapy parameters, the stimulation electrode located in proximity to the dorsal column of a patient; sensing, by a sensing electrode, an electrically evoked compound action potential (eECAP) signal in response to the delivery of the electrical stimulation; and classifying, by a processor, the sensed eECAP signal generated in response to the application of the candidate therapy relative to an eECAP baseline is disclosed.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for treating kidney disease in a human patient are disclosed. A method includes advancing a collapsible array of RF electrodes through a urinary tract of the patient in collapsed form and into a position in or near a renal pelvis. The effector is deployed to an expanded form to engage at least a portion of an interior wall of the renal pelvis. RF energy delivered through the array of electrodes target afferent nerves proximate the interior wall of the renal pelvis to inhibit or destroy their function. eGFR of the patient can be raised after treatment according to the method.

Abstract: The techniques of the disclosure describe example medical devices, systems, and methods for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, a medical device selects subsets of a plurality of therapy parameter sets that define electrical stimulation therapy, each subset including at least one therapy parameter set and less than all of the therapy parameter sets. Further, the medical device delivers, via a plurality of electrodes, electrical stimulation therapy according to each subset via a respective set of electrodes different from sets of electrodes of each other subset of the therapy parameter sets. The medical device iteratively delivers the electrical stimulation therapy according to the subsets of the therapy parameter sets via the respective sets of electrodes. Further, the medical device selects at least one subset of the therapy parameter sets that treat a condition of the patient for defining subsequent delivery of electrical stimulation to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are gastrointestinal dysfunction treatment protocols and kits for the testing, diagnosis, clinical intervention (diet, medications, temporary gastric electrical stimulation, and/or permanent gastric electrical stimulation), clinical feedback and/or associated treatment parameter adjustment for treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions in a patient. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to how neuromodulation via gastric electrical stimulation, performed anywhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, can help modulate inflammation and its resultant effects. Modulating inflammation via neuromodulation and gastric electrical stimulation enables treatment of a plurality of gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.

Abstract: An implantable electrical lead for use in the stimulation of biological tissues is provided. The lead has at least one surface electrode comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one surface electrode is placed on the surface of tissue at an implant site, and at least one anchoring element with a distal end and a proximal end for holding the electrode at a desired position on the implant site is placed above the electrode at the implant site.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for applying electrical stimulation to biological tissues. Specifically, the present disclosure is related to a device for applying anodal/cathodal biphasic electrical stimulation to beta cells of the pancreas. Through application of biphasic stimulation to beta cells of the pancreas, insulin secretion can be increased in an effort to overcome deficiencies associated with diabetic patients.

Abstract: Systems and devices for continuous heating combined with oscillatory magnetic stimulation of the ST36 acupoint and/or other acupoint(s) by noninvasive infrared heating and transcutaneous magnetic field stimulation, and applied to the treatment of several physical conditions.

Abstract: Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the thrombectomy system. The system can include a catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel, an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, and an interventional element configured to be delivered through a lumen of the catheter. The electrode and the interventional element are each configured to be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal power supply.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for neuromodulation of a tissue (e.g., an organ) that include applying energy (e.g., ultrasound energy) into the tissue to cause altered activity at a synapse between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell. In one embodiment, the energy is applied to cause competing or opposing effects for bi-directional control of physiological processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for state-dependent pudendal nerve stimulation for bladder control in a subject and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Online estimation of area-level inertia can be used for frequency stability control in low-inertia power systems. This disclosure provides an area-level inertia online estimation method considering inter-area equivalent frequency dynamics. The disclosed method only needs one phasor measurement unit placed at any bus within each area. The inter-area equivalent frequency dynamics model for the multi-area power system is developed, which is employed to estimate area-level inertia under the small disturbance situation. Then, the area-level inertia estimation model boils down to a nonlinear parameter identification problem. The other boundary conditions of the disclosed method are derived by parameter identifiability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and devices to monitor, diagnose and/or treat diseases or disorders comprising a calibration phase and a real-time diagnostic, treatment or monitoring phase, the calibration phase correlating a plurality of nerve activity measurements from a chronically implanted electrode in a subject with a plurality of concurrent measurements of levels of cytokines and/or glucose in the blood to obtain a functional relationship between blood cytokine and/or glucose levels and vagus nerve activity, and the diagnostic, treatment or monitoring phase analyzing the subject's real-time vagus nerve activity in accordance with the previously obtained functional relationship to initiate a treatment method.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed in the context of esophageal ablation. An ablation device may include a first catheter defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen therethrough. A balloon may be coupled to the first catheter. The balloon may be configured to transition between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. A second catheter may extend from a distal end of the first catheter lumen. A set of splines including electrodes formed on a surface of each of the splines may couple to the distal end of the first catheter lumen and a distal portion of the second catheter. The second catheter may be configured for translation along the longitudinal axis to transition the set of splines between a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a gastrointestinal condition of a patient includes minimally invasively implanting a modular stimulator system in a patient's treatment site. The modular stimulator system comprises a microstimulator module, a small power source module and a macrostimulator module that are detachably attachable to each other. For the first phase of treatment, the microstimulator module and power source are implanted with a stimulating electrode proximate a target tissue. Electrical stimulation is provided for a short period of time and treatment efficacy is evaluated through clinical results and patient reporting. If therapy is not effective, stimulation parameters can be changed and/or the implantation site can be moved. If therapy is effective, portions of the microstimulator module and/or small power source are replaced with the macrostimulator module for long term therapy of the second phase of treatment.

Abstract: A device for treating obesity of a patient, the device comprising: at least one operable stretching device implantable in the patient and adapted to stretch a portion of the patient's stomach wall, and an implantable control unit for automatically controlling the operable stretching device, when the control unit and stretching device are implanted, to stretch the stomach wall portion in connection with the patient eating such that satiety is created.

Abstract: An intestinal attachment device is provided that includes an ingestible housing with a chamber having disposed therein a low-profile ribbon with a head that serves as a single attachment area for an anchor sized and configured to attach to the mucosal surface of an intestine. A disposable material is also disposed within the chamber and at least partially surrounds the ribbon. An anchor is disposed within the housing and is attached to the head of the low-profile ribbon. The anchor has a constrained and a non-constrained state and is sized and configured to attach to the mucosal surface of the intestine. The anchor is at least partially surrounded by a dissolvable material.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining and analyzing ECG waveforms from a patient is disclosed. Initially, a recommendation for obtaining an ECG waveform from a patient is issued, typically from a cardiologist. An ECG recording device is used to obtain ECG data from the patient. The recording device generates patient identification information, time and date information and an initial analysis that are included in a log delivered along with the ECG data to an analysis server. The analysis server generates a recommended action for the patient, which is delivered to the recording device while the patient is still present at the recording device. The recording device can then carry out the recommended action and provide the results for analysis by the cardiologist. The analysis server can utilize artificial intelligence/machine learning to generate the recommended action for the patient without having to involve the cardiologist, thereby reducing the number of visits for the treatment of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) includes minimally invasively implanting a stimulating device in a patient's esophagus in the region proximate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The patient is provided with a questionnaire related to his disease via an online service. The questionnaire is accessed on a mobile device, such as a cell phone, or on a computer with network access. The data from the sensors and the answers from the questionnaire are analyzed together by a health care provider using the online service. The data and answers are used to program the stimulating device, via the mobile device or computer, to optimize treatment.

Abstract: A method including transcutaneously measuring motility patterns, in the colon of a recipient of an implantable neuromodulator, responsive to an electrical stimulus delivered by the implantable neuromodulator, and programming the implantable neuromodulator responsive to the measured motility patterns, wherein the method comprises adjusting at least one parameter of the implantable neuromodulator that defines the electrical stimulus that the implantable neuromodulator is configured to deliver to the recipient.

Abstract: A catheter system includes an indwelling, hollow catheter having a tip inserted into a person's bladder. The tip has an opening through which urine from the bladder passes into the catheter. A flexible reservoir extends around the person's ankle and has walls bounding an interior compartment. A flexible, elongated tube has one end connected to the catheter and an opposite end connected to the reservoir. The tube is hollow for conducting urine in the catheter through the tube into the compartment of the reservoir. One of the walls of the reservoir is a bottom wall that engages and rests on a top of the person's foot in use to resist downward movement of the reservoir as the reservoir is filled with urine. A freely manipulated drain pipe is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.

Abstract: An implantable device for implantation in a human body or animal body. The device includes an energy source, an energy storage device, and an electronics unit. Further, an actuator is coupled with the energy storage device and it is configured to emit electromagnetic waves by discharging the energy storage device.

Abstract: Modulation of the neural activity of a nerve adjacent to the left gastro epiploic artery (LGEA) and/or a nerve adjacent to a short gastric artery (SGA) can modulate the neural activity of the sympathetic nerves that impact splenic function. This is useful for reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system having a recharging system with self alignment, a system for mapping current fields using a completely wireless system, multiple independent electrode stimulation outsource, and control through software on a Smartphone/mobile device and tablet hardware during trial and permanent implants. SCS system can include multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) providing concurrent, but unique stimulation fields. SCS system can include a replenishable power source, rechargeable using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery, can charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. A bi-directional telemetry link informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery.

Abstract: An electrotechnical core for generating a cold atmospheric pressure or low-pressure plasma for the treatment of human, animal, or technical surfaces. The core has a side facing the surface and a side facing away from the surface and comprises the following layers, starting from the side facing the surface: a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure with a first contact between the first electrode structure and a power supply unit, a second insulation layer to galvanically isolate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another, wherein the second electrode structure is driven during operation by a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma, a third insulation layer to galvanically isolate the second electrode structure from a third electrode structure, wherein the third electrode structure grounds the third electrode structure during operation.