61 results about "Efferent" 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 of inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine in a cell is disclosed. The method comprises treating the cell with a cholinergic agonist. The method is useful in patients at risk for, or suffering from, a condition mediated by an inflammatory cytokine cascade, for example endotoxic shock. The cholinergic agonist treatment can be effected by stimulation of an efferent vagus nerve fiber, or the entire vagus nerve.

A method, apparatus, and surgical technique for the modulation of autonomic function, for the purpose of treating any of several conditions and diseases, including obesity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, diabetes, respiratory disease, asthma, inflammatory disease, immunological disease, infection, cancer, cardiac disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, stroke, vasospasm, vascular disease, psychiatric disease, depression, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and other conditions. This includes neural and tissue modulators, including implanted devices, used to modulate efferent and afferent autonomic neurons to influence or control autonomic or other neural function, including modulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system components as well as their combination.

Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

A method of inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine in a cell is disclosed. The method comprises treating the cell with a cholinergic agonist. The method is useful in patients at risk for, or suffering from, a condition mediated by an inflammatory cytokine cascade, for example endotoxic shock. The cholinergic agonist treatment can be effected by stimulation of an efferent vagus nerve fiber, or the entire vagus nerve.

Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site are provided. A feature of the invention is that a non-occlusive aspiration device is employed to selectively remove the target agent from the site only when the target agent is present in the site. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

A system for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. The system may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.

A generally spherical vascular remodeling device is permanently positionable at a junction of afferent and efferent vessels of a bifurcation having an aneurysm. After positioning the device at the junction to substantially conform the device to the shape of the junction, the device acts as a scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of the aneurysm and the device permits perfusion to the efferent vessels. Positioning the device may include deployment and mechanical or electrolytic release from a catheter. Embolic material may be inserted in the aneurysm before or after positioning the device. The device may have a first end, a second end substantially opposite to the first end, and a plurality of filaments extending between and coupled at the first end and the second end. Such devices may be football shaped, pumpkin shaped, or twisted. The device may include a plurality of loops forming a generally spherical shape.

The present invention provides a method of treating a cancer using a neurotoxin, preferably Botulinum toxin (“BTX”). The application of a neurotoxin around a cancer acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze cancer cells through efferent channels leaving the cancer vicinity to distant sites. Also, the application of the toxin at sites distant from the cancer enhances cellular and humoral immunologic functions which further contributes to cancer cell death and spread. Following administration of botulinum toxin around and distant to a cancer, it is noticed that local, regional, and distant spread is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other disease that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.

A method for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. Methods may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.

A diagnostic skin test for predicting treatment outcome, consisting essentially of an effective amount of an NCM or a T lymphocyte mitogen of muromonab-CD3. A kit for performing a skin test consisting essentially of an effective amount of an NCM or a T lymphocyte mitogen of muromonab-CD3. A method of performing a skin test on a patient, consisting essentially of the steps of administering an effective amount of an NCM or a T lymphocyte mitogen of muromonab-CD3 to skin, analyzing results of the skin test, and predicting a treatment outcome. Methods of detecting defects in monocyte or T lymphocyte function, including the steps of administering an effective amount of an NCM or T lymphocyte mitogen of muromonab-CD3 to skin, analyzing results of the skin test, and detecting at least one defect in monocyte or T lymphocyte function. A mechanism for indicating a functioning efferent or afferent limb of an immune system, including a diagnostic skin test including an effective amount of an NCM or a T lymphocyte mitogen of muromonab-CD3.

A method for treating a patient having nociceptive pain in a body region using at least one electrode implanted within a spinal column of the patient. The method comprises conveying electrical stimulation energy from the at least one implanted electrode to an efferent motor neural structure innervating the body region, thereby inducing an endogenous chemical response within a spinal cord of the patient that treats the nociceptive pain. Another method for treating a patient suffering from a medical ailment. The other method comprises applying electrical stimulation energy to an efferent neural structure, thereby increasing the activation threshold of the efferent neural structure relative an afferent neural structure, and applying electrical stimulation energy to the afferent neural structure while the activation threshold of the efferent neural structure is increased, thereby modulating activity of the afferent neural structure to treat the medical ailment while minimizing stimulation of the efferent neural structure.

An intraluminal apparatus including a catheter and device is positionable at a junction of afferent and efferent vessels of a bifurcation having an aneurysm. After positioning the device to substantially conform the device to the shape of the junction, the device acts as a scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of the aneurysm and the device permits perfusion to the efferent vessels. Positioning the device may include deployment and optional release from a catheter. Embolic material may be inserted in the aneurysm before or after positioning the device. The device may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of filaments extending between and coupled at the proximal end and the distal end. The device may include a central filament configured to reshape the device. The distal end of the device may include a covering. The device may be football shaped, pumpkin shaped, or acorn shaped.

A generally spherical vascular remodeling device is permanently positionable at a junction of afferent and efferent vessels of a bifurcation having an aneurysm. After positioning the device at the junction to substantially conform the device to the shape of the junction, the device acts as a scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of the aneurysm and permits perfusion to the efferent vessels. Positioning the device may include deployment and mechanical or electrolytic release from a catheter. Embolic material may be inserted in the aneurysm before or after positioning the device. The device may have a first end, a second end substantially opposite to the first end, and a plurality of polymer filaments extending between and coupled at the first end and the second end. Such devices may be football shaped, pumpkin shaped, or twisted. The device may include a plurality of polymer loops forming a generally spherical shape.