Cyberonics, Inc.

Other

Livanova Usa, Inc.

Steven E Maschino

Steven M Parnis

William R Buras

Timothy L Scott

Albert W Guzman

Stephen Brannan

Randolph K Armstrong

Scott A Armstrong

Shivkumar Sabesan

Bryan P Byerman

Ross G Baker, Jr

David L Thompson

Albert A Rodriguez

Jerry J Kolafa

Stephen K Brannan

A method includes applying, by an implantable medical device (IMD), stimulation to a cranial nerve of a patient responsive to a determination that a level of synchrony between neural activity of one or more regions of an autonomic nervous system of the patient and one or more regions of a central nervous system of the patient falls below a first threshold and discontinuing the application of stimulation by the IMD when the level of synchrony exceeds a second threshold.

Cranial nerve stimulation to treat seizure disorders

A method includes determining a measurement indicative of a synchrony between one or more regions of a patient's autonomic nervous system (e.g., the NTS) and one or more regions of the patient's central nervous system (e.g., the thalamus, the cortex) based on body parameter data. The method also includes adjusting a cranial nerve stimulation parameter based on the measurement.

An implantable medical system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and an electrode coupleable to the IMD. The electrode is operative to deliver a first electrical signal from the IMD to a neural structure. The system includes a sensor coupleable to the IMD. The sensor is operative to sense a physiological parameter. The physiological parameter may include at least one of a neurotransmitter parameter, a neurotransmitter breakdown product parameter, a neuropeptide parameter, a norepinephrine parameter, a glucocorticoid (GC) parameter, a neuromodulator parameter, a neuromodulator breakdown product parameter, an amino acid parameter, and a hormone parameter. The IMD includes a controller operative to change a parameter of the first electrical signal based upon at least one sensed physiological parameter to generate a second electrical signal and to apply the second electrical signal to the neural structure.

Using physiological sensor data with an implantable medical device

A method, apparatus, and system for determining an adverse operational condition associated with a lead assembly in an implantable medical device used for providing a therapeutic electrical signal to a cranial nerve. A first impedance associated with the lead assembly configured to provide the therapeutic electrical signal to a cranial nerve is detected. A determination is made as to whether the first impedance is outside a first predetermined range. A second impedance is detected. The detection of the second impedance is performed within a predetermined period of time from the time of the detection of the first impedance. A determination is made as to whether the second impedance is outside a second predetermined range. If the first impedance is outside the first range and the second impedance is outside the second range, the implantable medical device is prevented from providing the therapeutic electrical signal.

Alternative operation mode for an implantable medical device based upon lead condition

A method for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a pulmonary disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of a left vagus nerve and/or a right vagus nerve of the patient. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the pulmonary disorder. The electrical signal may perform a blocking of an intrinsic neural activity on said at least one portion of the left vagus nerve and said right vagus nerve.

Stimulating cranial nerve to treat pulmonary disorder

We disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device including coupling at least a first electrode and a second electrode to a cranial nerve of the patient, providing a programmable electrical signal generator coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, generating a first electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the first electrical signal to the electrodes, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode, generating a second electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the second electrical signal to the electrodes, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, generating a third electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, and applying the third electrical signal to the electrodes. Each of the electrical signals can independently contain one or more pulses or one or more bursts. The number of pulses need not be equal between any two of the electrical signals.

Changeable electrode polarity stimulation by an implantable medical device

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes for use with an implantable medical device for conducting an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and a target tissue. The electrode assembly includes a helical member and first and second electrodes formed upon the helical member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to deliver the electrical signal. The electrode assembly also includes a first conductive element formed upon the helical member and operatively coupled to the first electrode. The electrode assembly also includes a second conductive element formed upon the helical member and operatively coupled to the second electrode.

Multi-electrode assembly for an implantable medical device

We disclose a method, apparatus, and system of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device. A first electrode is coupled to a first portion of a cranial nerve of the patient. A second electrode is coupled to a second portion of the cranial nerve of the patient. A first electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes. The first electrical signal is provided in a first polarity configuration in which the first electrode functions as an anode and the second electrode functions as a cathode. Upon termination of the first electrical signal, the anode and cathode each comprise a first accumulated energy. A second electrical signal is provided to the first and second electrodes, in which the second electrical signal includes at least a portion of the first accumulated energy.

Method, apparatus and system for bipolar charge utilization during stimulation by an implantable medical device

An implantable medical device (IMD) to treat a medical condition in a patient comprises an electrical signal generator; a cathode and an anode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and a cranial nerve of the patient; and a third electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and implanted within the patient's body; wherein the electrical signal generator is capable of generating and delivering at least one electrical signal effective at the anode to block at least a sufficient portion of action potentials induced by the at least one electrical signal in the cranial nerve proximate the cathode to reduce a side effect of said induced action potentials.

Blocking exogenous action potentials by an implantable medical device

A method and device for treating epilepsy are disclosed which provide for electrical, chemical or magnetic stimulation of certain areas of the brain to modulate neuronal activity of areas associated with symptoms of epilepsy. Deep brain stimulation is combined with vagus nerve stimulation to enhance symptomatic relief of the disorder. Some embodiments also employ a sensing capability to optimize the therapeutic treatment regimen.

Selective neurostimulation for treating epilepsy

A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing an adaptive stimulation process using medical imaging feedback data for affecting an operation of an implantable medical device. The first stimulation signal is applied to a neural structure for modulation of a target portion of the patient's brain associated with a disorder. Medical imaging data is acquired that is indicative of whether the target portion of the brain is modulated as a result of the first stimulation signal. The first signal characteristic is modified to generate a second stimulation signal in response to a determination that said target portion of the brain is not modulated as a result of said first stimulation signal. The first and second stimulation signals may be used to navigate an effect of the first and second stimulation signals until a targeted portion of the human body is stimulated according to a predetermined threshold.

Medical imaging feedback for an implantable medical device

Methods and systems for reducing compensation of the body to therapy delivered by an implanted medical device are described herein. The disclosed techniques cause a change from one therapy protocol to another therapy protocol based on the occurrence of an event (e.g., time, user activations of a sensor, input from a physiological sensor, etc.). The therapy protocols of the implanted medical device differ in terms of the on-time and off-time, but effectuate the same or similar duty cycle.

Compensation reduction in tissue stimulation therapy

A method and apparatus for providing trans-esophageal electrical signal therapy to a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a medical condition. An implantable medical device comprising at least one electrode is implanted in an inner lumen of the esophagus of the patient. At least one electrode is electrically coupled to the inner lumen of the esophagus. An electrical signal from the IMD is provided to a target portion of the vagus nerve through at least a portion of the wall of the esophagus for treating the medical condition.

Non-surgical device and methods for trans-esophageal vagus nerve stimulation

A method, system, and apparatus for providing an electrical neurostimulation therapy to a neural structure of a patient's body using an implantable medical device (IMD). A first electrical signal is provided using the implantable medical device. A first electrical signal is applied to the neural structure. An implanted sensor is provided. A physiological parameter is sensed using the implanted sensor. The physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of a neurotransmitter parameter, a neurotransmitter breakdown product parameter, a neuropeptide parameter, and a glucocorticoid (GC) parameter. The first electrical signal is modified based upon the sensed physiological parameter to generate a second electrical signal. The second electrical signal is applied to the neural structure.

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.

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Seabrook, TX, United States of America

Steven E Maschino