38results about "Esophageal electrodes" patented technology

The use of a device to measure patient sensory response through the application of an incrementally increased electrical current to the oropharynx.

Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus. In addition, the methods and device allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.

Devices and methods for assisting a patient with recovery from dysphagia are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device comprises a catheter with sections whose curvatures correspond to curves between external nares of the patient and a nasal cavity and between the nasal cavity and a nasopharynx. The device may further include an electrode at a distal portion of the catheter and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue.

An electrical stimulation system according to an embodiment may comprise: a catheter having a long and thin tubular shape; an electrode disposed at one end of the catheter and inserted into a target portion; an electrical stimulator for generating electrical stimulation to be applied onto the target portion by the electrode; and a control part for controlling an electrical pulse of the electrical stimulator to change the electrical stimulation applied onto the target portion, wherein the electrode applies electrical stimulation in a state where a distal end of the electrode is enlarged and fixed to a target portion.

Esophageal intubation assemblies, esophageal cardiac stimulation and gastric decompression assemblies, and methods for using and making the same are provided.

Electrical stimulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device comprises an elongated member configured to be orally or nasally inserted into a patient's pharynx. The device may further include a conductive element carried by a distal portion of the elongated member and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue. A stiffness of the elongated member may vary along its length to facilitate insertion of the elongated member through the nasopharyngeal junction and provide a restoring force necessary to hold the conductive element in apposition with tissue at the treatment site.

A medical device that includes a flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode positioned on the body proximate the distal end. The electrode is configured to provide an electrical charge for stimulating tissue. The medical device includes an electrical connection positioned on the body proximate the proximal end. The electrical connection is configured to electrically couple the electrode to a power source. The medical device includes an electrical lead connecting the electrode to the electrical connection. The lead is on or in the flexible body. The body is configured to have a first configuration prior to being secured to an exterior of a tube and a second configuration having a shape that conforms to a profile of the tube with the electrode secured to an exterior of the tube.

A medical device comprises a tube (12) having and at least one lumen, a flexible body (102) including a stimulation array (114) to provide an electrical charge for stimulating tissue, an electrical connection to electrically couple the stimulation array to a power source and positioned on the flexible body proximal to the stimulation array, and an electronic component positioned between the stimulation array (114) and the power source. The electronic component includes a memory and a processor configured to implement programmable code stored on the memory. The flexible body (102) is configured to cover at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the tube (12) such that the stimulation array (114) is disposed about an exterior of the tube.

Electrical stimulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device comprises an elongated member configured to be orally or nasally inserted into a patient's pharynx. The device may further include a conductive element carried by a distal portion of the elongated member and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue. A stiffness of the elongated member may vary along its length to facilitate insertion of the elongated member through the nasopharyngeal junction and provide a restoring force necessary to hold the conductive element in apposition with tissue at the treatment site.

The present disclosure relates to treatment of reflux disease of a human patient. More particularly, a device is disclosed, which is configured to be implanted in the body of the human to restrict movement of the cardia of the patient's stomach towards the diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, and / or to prevent stomach contents from passing from the stomach into the esophagus.

Example systems, devices and techniques are disclosed for delivering neurostimulation therapy to multiple sites. An example system or device includes stimulation circuitry configured to generate a first stimulation signal and a second stimulation signal and memory configured to store first stimulation parameters that at least partially define the first stimulation signal and second stimulation parameters that at least partially defined the second stimulation signal. The example system or device also includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the memory, and the stimulation circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to control the stimulation circuitry to generate the first stimulation signal configured to be delivered transcutaneously or percutaneously to a first anatomical location and control the stimulation circuitry to generate the second stimulation signal configured to be delivered transesophageally to a second anatomical location different than the first anatomical location.

The present disclosure describes an endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising an elongate tube and at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.

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.

A drainage device includes an elongate flexible conduit comprising a proximal end opening, a distal end opening and a lumen disposed therebetween. A multi-layer distal portion coaxially surrounding the lumen and having a porous outer surface layer, a porous interior layer and an intermediate absorbent layer therebetween. A drainage system and a device and method for treating dysphagia are also disclosed.

An electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment includes: an elongated element having working channels; a plurality of electrical stimulators each including a longitudinal member extending along the longitudinal direction of the working channel, and a tip which is installed at the distal end of the longitudinal member and configured to apply electrical stimulation to a subject; and a control unit that independently controls the plurality of electrical stimulators to vary the range of electric stimulation applied to the subject.

A delivery system for local drug delivery to a target site of internal body tissue is provided. The delivery system comprises a source electrode adapted to be positioned proximate to a target site of internal body tissue. A counter electrode is in electrical communication with the source electrode, and is configured to cooperate with the source electrode to form a localized electric field proximate to the target site. A reservoir is configured to be disposed such that the reservoir is capable of interacting with the localized electric field. The reservoir is configured to carry a cargo capable of being delivered to the target site when exposed to the localized electric field. Associated methods are also provided.

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.

Electrical stimulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device comprises an elongated member configured to be orally or nasally inserted into a patient's pharynx. The device may further include a conductive element carried by a distal portion of the elongated member and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue. A stiffness of the elongated member may vary along its length to facilitate insertion of the elongated member through the nasopharyngeal junction and provide a restoring force necessary to hold the conductive element in apposition with tissue at the treatment site.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating a temperature of an esophagus when heat or cold is delivered to a left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which conforms and corresponds with a cross-section of an inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heating / cooling balloon which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration. Some alternative embodiments includes altering the configuration of the balloon to conform to or correspond with the cross section of an esophagus by means other than inflation.

A medical device that includes a flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode positioned on the body proximate the distal end. The electrode is configured to provide an electrical charge for stimulating tissue. The medical device includes an electrical connection positioned on the body proximate the proximal end. The electrical connection is configured to electrically couple the electrode to a power source. The medical device includes an electrical lead connecting the electrode to the electrical connection. The lead is on or in the flexible body. The body is configured to have a first configuration prior to being secured to an exterior of a tube and a second configuration having a shape that conforms to a profile of the tube with the electrode secured to an exterior of the tube.

The present disclosure relates to treatment of reflux disease of a human patient. More particularly, a device is disclosed, which is configured to be implanted in the body of the human to restrict movement of the cardia of the patient's stomach towards the diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, and / or to prevent stomach contents from passing from the stomach into the esophagus.

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.

Example systems, devices, and techniques are disclosed for positioning one or more stimulation elements to deliver neurostimulation therapy transesophageally. An example system includes one or more electrodes disposed on a transesophageal stimulation device, the one or more electrodes including at least one sense electrode. The example systems includes one or more stimulation elements configured to deliver transesophageal stimulation to anatomy of the patient. The system includes sensing circuitry configured to generate a signal of a patient via the at least one sense electrode. The system includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the sensing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain the signal from the sensing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the signal, a location of at least one stimulation element. The processing circuitry is configured to output an indication of the location.

A system and method of eliciting a swallowing reflex in a human subject. Stimulation signals are generated for eliciting a full swallowing reflex when applied to skin overlying a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck. The stimulation signals delivered via surface electrodes to the skin overlying at least the region of thyroid cartilage in the neck to elicit the full swallowing reflex in the human subject.

A drainage device includes an elongate flexible conduit comprising a proximal end opening, a distal end opening and a lumen disposed therebetween. A multi-layer distal portion coaxially surrounding the lumen and having a porous outer surface layer, a porous interior layer and an intermediate absorbent layer therebetween. A drainage system and a device and method for treating dysphagia are also disclosed.

Provided is an intraesophageal electrostimulator configured so that other medical tools can also be easily inserted into an esophagus and misalignment in the esophagus can be reduced. An intraesophageal electrostimulator 100 includes a stimulator body 101, stimulating electrodes 111, 112, and power feed lines 113, 114. The stimulator body 101 is formed, in order to insert the stimulator body 101 into an esophagus S, in an elongated flat plate shape with flexibility in a longitudinal direction. The stimulator body 101 includes a first flat plate member 102, a second flat plate member 103, and an exterior body 104. On one plate surface of the first flat plate member 102, each of the stimulating electrodes 111, 112 is provided so as to protrude from the plate surface. The second flat plate member 103 overlaps with the other plate surface of the first flat plate member 102 such that the second flat plate member 103 and the first flat plate member 102 sandwich the power feed lines 113, 114. The exterior body 104 covers the first flat plate member 102 and the second flat plate member 103 overlapping with each other.

A medical device that includes a flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode positioned on the body proximate the distal end. The electrode is configured to provide an electrical charge for stimulating tissue. The medical device includes an electrical connection positioned on the body proximate the proximal end. The electrical connection is configured to electrically couple the electrode to a power source. The medical device includes an electrical lead connecting the electrode to the electrical connection. The lead is on or in the flexible body. The body is configured to have a first configuration prior to being secured to an exterior of a tube and a second configuration having a shape that conforms to a profile of the tube with the electrode secured to an exterior of the tube.

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.

A medical device comprising a tube, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a structure at a distal portion of the tube, the structure defining a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections are configured to be filled with a conductive medium, wherein the first electrode is contained within the first section, and the second electrode is contained within the second section, and wherein the structure includes a central barrier separating the first section from the second section, and the central barrier is insulative.

Example devices and techniques are disclosed for delivering neurostimulation therapy transesophageally. An example device includes stimulation circuitry configured to generate a transesophageal stimulation signal. The example device includes memory configured to store stimulation parameters that at least partially define the transesophageal stimulation signal and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the memory, and the stimulation circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a maximum transesophageal stimulation amplitude value. The processing circuitry is configured to control the stimulation circuitry to generate the transesophageal stimulation signal based at least in part on at least one of the stimulation parameters or the maximum transesophageal stimulation amplitude such that an amplitude of the transesophageal stimulation signal does not exceed the maximum transesophageal stimulation amplitude.