126results about "Esophageal electrodes" patented technology

A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals. An endoscopic delivery system delivers the functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is attached the stomach wall. The endoscopic instruments attach or remove the attachment devices and functional devices from the stomach and may be used to assist in determining the optimal attachment location.

An intra-luminal device for gastrointestinal electrical stimulation is self-powered and self-contained within a capsule-like housing, and is capable of non-surgical implantation within the patient. The device includes an implantable pulse generator and one or more electrodes mounted within a common device housing. The device housing is capable of endoscopic introduction to a desired location within the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach, via the esophagus. The device may be appropriate for short-term, mid-term or trial stimulation applications.

A system for determining the proximity of the esophagus to the ablation electrode of an ablation catheter during an ablation procedure is disclosed. The system comprises an ablation catheter having at least one ablation electrode, an esophageal probe catheter having at least one electrode, and a signal processing unit. Both the ablation electrode and the esophageal probe catheter are electrically connected to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit receives electrical signals from the ablation electrode on the ablation catheter and the electrode on the esophageal probe catheter and compares the signals to determine the proximity of the esophagus to the ablation electrode.

A device, system and method for anchoring a device to a stomach is provided. The device may be, among other things, a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The anchor of the device is constructed to resist pull out forces. An anchor has an optimal weight to surface area ratio.

A system and method for determining on a continuous, real-time basis the proximity of the esophagus to an endocardial catheter during mapping, ablation or other endocardial catheter-based procedures, comprising an esophagus probe catheter and an endocardial catheter adapted for proximal signal transmission between each other. A signal processing unit is included to process and compare a characteristic of the proximity signal that is changes or attenuates with distance between the two catheters, such as impedance, amplitude and / or phase. Audio and / or optical outputs are provided to alert an operator when the distance between the catheters changes or is below a baseline measurement to avoid damage to the esophagus by the endocardial catheter. The system and method may include adaptations of the catheters with location sensor, and a mapping / navigational system for nonfluoroscopic location determination of the catheters.

Devices and methods of non-surgically providing vagus nerve therapy trans-esophageally to treat a variety of medical conditions are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises a support member having an outer surface. The support member is adapted to engage the inner wall of an esophagus. The IMD also comprises at least one electrode disposed on the outer surface of the support member. The at least one electrode is capable of applying a trans-esophageal electrical signal to the vagus nerve through the wall of the esophagus from the inner lumen thereof. The implantable medical device further comprises a signal generator coupled to the support member and to the at least one electrode. The signal generator causes the at least one electrode to apply an electrical signal to the vagus nerve to treat a medical condition.

A method for modulating eating behavior comprising (i) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of taste in the body, (ii) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of smell in the body, and (ii) transmitting at least one of the confounding neuro-electrical signals to a subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste or smell. In a preferred embodiment, both confounding neuro-electrical signals are transmitted to the subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste and smell.

Devices, systems and methods for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease wherein the treatment includes stimulating selected nerve fibers responsible for smooth muscle dilation at a selected region within a patient's neck, thereby reducing the magnitude of constriction of bronchial smooth muscle.

Medical devices, systems, and methods are provided for providing respiratory therapy by electrically stimulating the phrenic nerves and / or the thoracic diaphragm. In one embodiment, at least one electrode is deployed to a position within the patient's airway and placed in proximity to a phrenic nerve or to the diaphragm. The electrode may be attached to a controller housing including a pulse generator using one or more electrical lead or leads or may be in wireless communication with the pulse generator. The controller housing may be implanted at a position within the patient or the controller housing may reside external to the patient.

A method for treating an oropharyngeal disorder in a patient by neuromuscular electrical stimulation includes selectively placing a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of the patient. The method also includes the steps of providing a pulse generator for generating a series of electrical pulses, each of which comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases, and attaching the plurality of electrodes to the pulse generator so that the series of electrical pulses may be provided to the patient through the plurality of electrodes. According to the method, a series of electrical pulses, each of which comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases, is generated, and said series of electrical pulses is provided to the patient through the plurality of electrodes. An apparatus for generating a series of electrical pulses for application of electrical neuromuscular stimulation to a patient through a plurality of electrodes for treatment of oropharyngeal disorders includes a pulse generator which generates a series of electrical pulses, each of which pulses comprises a biphasic symmetrical waveform with an interval between the two phases. The apparatus includes an intensity control circuit for regulating the series of electrical pulses such that the intensity of the electrical pulses does not exceed a predetermined value, a frequency controller for controlling the frequency at which the series of electrical pulses is generated so that such pulses are generated at a predetermined frequency, and a duration control circuit for controlling the duration of each such electrical pulse.

A protective sheath adapted to cover an elongate medical probe. The sheath includes an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of a medical probe and isolate the insertion tube from body tissue and at least one light generating element mounted on the sheath.

An intraluminal sleeve system is provided, which generally includes an intraluminal sleeve capable of dispensing an active agent to a patient, for example, a metabolic agent or satiety inducing agent. The intraluminal sleeve may be structured to contain the active agent and permit controlled release of the active agent to the patient while the intraluminal sleeve is positioned within the patient's intestine. Methods for treating obesity are also provided which include positioning an intraluminal sleeve in a patient's intestine, the intraluminal sleeve being capable of dispensing an active agent to the patient. In one embodiment, the active agent may be contained in a reservoir and dispensed to a portion of the patient's body.

The invention provides a method and device for providing electrical stimulation to a patient's diaphragm (or other organ or tissue) including the steps of: introducing an endoscope transviscerally (e.g., transgastrically) into the patient's body cavity; delivering an electrode into the patient's body cavity through a lumen of the endoscope; applying suction to attach the electrode to a stimulation site on the diaphragm (or other organ or tissue); and delivering a stimulation pulse to the stimulation site. The stimulation may be repeated at multiple stimulation sites.

The present invention includes methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock, anaphylactic shock and hypovolemia. The method includes the step of applying at least one electrical impulse to at least one selected region of a parasympathetic nervous system of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate one or more nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system to increase the ratio of blood pressure to heart rate and relieve the condition and / or extend the patient's life.

The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for treating nerve disorders in the brain. An electrode is introduced into a patient's sinus cavity and an electrical impulse is applied to the electrode to modulate one or more target nerves in the brain to treat the disorder. In preferred embodiments, the electrode is positioned within a sinus cavity adjacent to or near the frontal cortex of the brain and the electrical signal is sufficient to modulate, stimulate and / or inhibit nerves within the frontal cortex. The electrode may be movable between a collapsed or compact configuration for introduction into the sinus cavity and an expanded configuration for contacting tissue within the sinus cavity to deliver the electrical impulse through the tissue to the target nerves in the brain.

An invasive probe assembly including an invasive probe having a surface area and a tool carrier removably mounted on the invasive probe, including a substrate having an area smaller than 25% of the surface area of the probe and at least one tool mounted on the substrate. The layout of the substrate or of one or more of the at least one tool is optionally substantially different in different sectors of the circumference of the probe.

Methods and apparatus for treating ailments provide for: inserting a balloon-electrode device into an esophagus of a mammal, the balloon-electrode device including: (i) a nasogastral (NG) having an internal passageway and an external surface, (ii) at least one electrode coupled to the external surface of the NG tube, (iii) a conductor extending through the internal passageway of the NG tube and electrically connecting to the electrode, and (iv) a balloon surrounding the electrode and a portion of the NG tube; inflating the balloon with fluid such that the electrode is substantially centrally located within an interior volume of the balloon; and applying at least one electrical signal to the electrode via the conductor such that an electromagnetic field emanates from the electrode to at least one of nerves and muscles of the mammal.

The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs 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 and have improved energy storage requirements.

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 and have improved energy storage requirements.