84 results about "Afferent" patented technology

A dual electrode arrangement, is provided, wherein two, preferably unidirectional, electrode configurations flank a nerve junction from which a preselected nerve branch issues, proximally and distally to the junction, with respect to the brain. The arrangement is conducive to the following: generating efferent action-potential propagations, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch, inhibiting afferent action-potential propagations, from the preselected nerve branch, selectively generating action-potential propagations, in a subset of nerve fibers of a predetermined diameter range, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch, and selectively inhibiting action-potential propagations, in a subset of nerve fibers of a predetermined diameter range, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch. The dual electrode arrangement is further conducive to monitoring naturally-occurring, efferent action-potential propagations, heading towards the preselected nerve branch, and monitoring naturally-occurring, afferent action-potential propagations, from the preselected nerve branch. The unidirectional electrode configurations may be monopolar, bipolar, tripolar, or multipolar. Communication with extracorporeal stations, and closed loop operations are also provided.

A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically, mechanically and / or pharmaceutically / chemically stimulating a of the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal / cardia junction, cardia / fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. The device may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. An implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode, pressure device or chemical outlet to apply a defined signal to a selected nerve branch. The implantable stimulus generator is programmable to allow clinician programming of defined signal parameters effective to treat the eating disorder of the patient. Methods are also provided to identify electrodes nearest to a branch of the vagus nerve to apply an electrical stimulation signal with improved efficiency.

A class of novel agents that are able to modify nociceptive afferent function is provided. The agents may inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from discrete populations of neurones and thereby reduce or preferably prevent the transmission of afferent pain signals from peripheral to central pain fibers. They comprise a galactose-binding lectin linked to a derivative of a clostridial neurotoxin. The derivative of the clostridial neurotoxin comprises the L-chain, or a fragment thereof, which includes the active proteolytic enzyme domain of the light (L) chain, linked to a molecule or domain with membrane translocating activity. The agents may be used in or as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain, particular chronic pain.

A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically stimulating the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal / cardia junction, cardia / fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. A device comprising a gastric band including stimulation electrodes may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. A programmable implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode. Methods are also provided to identify electrodes nearest to a branch of the vagus nerve to apply an electrical stimulation signal with improved efficiency.

A device is for the electrotherapeutic treatment of headaches such as tension headaches and migraines. An electrode support (10) has a shape and is size selected so as to allow, independently from the subject, the excitation of the afferent paths of the supratrochlear (2) and supraorbital (3) nerves of the ophthalmic branch (1) of the trigeminal nerve. An electrical circuit includes a programmable signal generator suitable for creating pulses of a duration of between 150 and 450 microseconds with a maximum increase in intensity of 0 to 20 milliamperes at a rate of less than or equal to 40 microamperes per second and with a step up in intensity not exceeding 50 microamperes.