Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208305 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PULMONARY CONDITIONS - A method for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject includes one step of providing an implantable electrode assembly. The implantable electrode assembly includes a flexible member, at least one electrode operably secured to the flexible member, and an attachment mechanism for securing the at least one electrode to the flexible member. The implantable electrode assembly is implanted at a target site including an intraluminal location innervated by at least one nerve of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The implantable electrode assembly is positioned at the target site such that the flexible member conforms to a portion of the inner surface of the target site, and the at least one electrode is positioned substantially adjacent the at least one nerve. Next, electric current is delivered to the at least one electrode to effect a change in the ANS of the subject. | 08-28-2008 |
20080255632 | Modulation of the Pain Circuitry to Affect Chronic Pain - The present invention relates to methods of affecting chronic pain by applying an electrical and/or chemical signal to the target site of the pain circuitry associated with chronic pain. Such target sites include cerebral and deep brain target sites. | 10-16-2008 |
20080306570 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING PULMONARY CONDITIONS - An apparatus for positioning at a target site and for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject includes a fluid exchange catheter for insertion into a tracheo-bronchial tree and an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter. At least a portion of the inflatable balloon is for engaging a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site. The apparatus further includes an energy delivery mechanism operably coupled to the inflatable balloon. The energy delivery mechanism includes at least one energy delivery member for delivering electrical energy to the target site. | 12-11-2008 |
20090012577 | APPARTUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING HEADACHE AND/OR FACIAL PAIN - An apparatus for treating headache and/or facial pain includes an electrical lead and having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a channel extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion has at least one electrode disposed thereon and at least one foldable tine for anchoring the distal tip adjacent a SPG, and the proximal end portion is adapted for connection to an energy delivery source. | 01-08-2009 |
20090024195 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RENAL NEUROMODULATION - An apparatus for renal neuromodulation includes an expandable support member having a main body portion for engaging a wall of a blood vessel proximate a renal vasculature and at least one electrode connected with the main body portion. The at least one electrode is arranged to selectively deliver electric current to a desired location where modulation of the sympathetic nervous system is effective to alter renal function. The apparatus further includes an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the main body portion for isolating blood flow through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode. | 01-22-2009 |
20090076444 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A NEUROMODULATION LEAD TO NERVOUS TISSUE OR TISSUE SURROUNDING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM - An apparatus for securing a neuromodulation lead to nervous tissue or surrounding tissue (i.e. meninges) is provided. The neuromodulation lead includes an elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passage extending there between. The lead further includes at least one electrical contact secured around an outer surface of the distal end of the elongated member for stimulating nervous tissue. The apparatus comprises first and second tubular members are disposed within the passage of the elongated member. Each of the tubular members terminates at the distal end of the elongated member. First and second glue components are provided for injecting into the first and second tubular members, respectively. The first and second glue components, when injected, exit the respective tubular members at the distal end of the elongated member and mix to create a solidified glue that anchors the distal end of the elongated member within the nervous tissue. | 03-19-2009 |
20090155336 | NEUROMODULATORY METHODS FOR TREATING PULMONARY DISORDERS - A method for treating a pulmonary disorder in a subject includes inserting a therapy delivery device into a vessel of the subject, advancing the therapy delivery device to a point adjacent an intraluminal target site of the autonomic nervous system, and activating the therapy delivery device to delivery a therapy signal to the intraluminal target site to treat the pulmonary disorder. The intraluminal target site is in electrical communication with nervous tissue selected from the group consisting of a spinal nerve, a postganglionic fiber of a spinal nerve, a sympathetic chain ganglion, a thoracic sympathetic chain ganglion, a cervical ganglion, a lower cervical ganglion, an inferior cervical ganglion, an intramural ganglion, a splanchnic nerve, an esophageal plexus, a cardiac plexus, a pulmonary plexus, an anterior pulmonary plexus, a posterior pulmonary plexus, a celiac plexus, a hypogastric plexus, an inferior mesenteric ganglion, a celiac ganglion, and a superior mesenteric ganglion. | 06-18-2009 |
20090171411 | Method and System for Treating Acute Heart Failure by Neuromodulation - Methods and systems of treating acute heart failure by applying a therapy signal at least one sympathetic cardiopulmonary fiber surrounding the pulmonary trunk that affects heart contractility more than heart rate. Methods and systems also include adjusting the signal to effectuate treatment. | 07-02-2009 |
20100185269 | CORPUS CALLOSUM NEUROMODULATION ASSEMBLY - Neuromodulation assemblies with lead bodies having curvatures that mimic the curvatures of the splenium, trunk, genu, or rostrum of the corpus callosum. Methods of stimulating the corpus callosum and methods of securing an electrical lead in the brain are also provided. | 07-22-2010 |
20110301664 | NEUROMODULATORY METHODS FOR TREATING PULMONARY DISORDERS - A method for treating asthma in a subject includes inserting a therapy delivery device into a vessel of a subject. The therapy delivery device is advanced to a point substantially adjacent an intraluminal target site of the autonomic nervous system. Next, the therapy delivery device is activated to deliver a therapy signal to the intraluminal target site to treat the asthma. The intraluminal target site is in electrical communication with nervous tissue selected from the group consisting of a spinal nerve, pre- or post-ganglionic autonomic fibers, a sympathetic chain ganglion, a thoracic sympathetic chain ganglion, a cervical ganglion, a lower cervical ganglion, an inferior cervical ganglion, an intramural ganglion, a splanchnic nerve, an esophageal plexus, a cardiac plexus, a pulmonary plexus, an anterior pulmonary plexus, a posterior pulmonary plexus, a celiac plexus, a hypogastric plexus, an inferior mesenteric ganglion, a celiac ganglion, and a superior mesenteric ganglion. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301679 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING PULMONARY CONDITIONS - A method for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject is provided. One step of the method includes providing an apparatus for positioning at a target site innervated by at least one nerve of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The apparatus includes a fluid exchange catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to the fluid exchange catheter, and an energy delivery mechanism including at least one energy delivery member for delivering electrical energy to the target site. Next, an expansion medium is delivered to the apparatus so that the inflatable balloon is sufficiently inflated to sandwich at least a portion of the at least one energy delivery member between the inflatable balloon and a luminal wall of the tracheo-bronchial tree at the target site. Electrical energy is then delivered to the at least one energy delivery member to effect a change in the ANS of the subject. | 12-08-2011 |
20120150245 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RENAL NEUROMODULATION - A method is provided for renal neuromodulation. One step of the method includes providing an expandable support member having a cuff-like configuration and including a main body portion (MBP). The MBP includes a lumen for engaging a wall of a blood vessel including a portion of a renal vasculature. At least one electrode connected with the MBP is arranged to selectively deliver electric current to a desired location. An insulative material is attached to at least a portion of the MBP. Next, the MBP is implanted extravascularly so that the MBP is in direct contact with a portion of the renal vasculature. At least one electrode is positioned substantially adjacent a desired location where modulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is effective to alter renal function. Electric current is then delivered to the at least one electrode to effect a change in the SNS. | 06-14-2012 |