Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221506 | SMALL VESSEL ULTRASOUND CATHTER - An ultrasound catheter adapted for accessing small vessels in the distal anatomy is disclosed. The ultrasound catheter comprises an elongate tubular body formed with a delivery lumen. The flexibility and dimensions of the tubular body allow access to the distal anatomy by advancement over the guidewire. An ultrasound radiating member is provided along the distal end portion of the tubular body for emitting ultrasound energy at a treatment site. A drug solution may also be delivered through the delivery lumen and out an exit port to the treatment site. | 09-11-2008 |
20090144955 | ULTRASOUND RADIATING MEMBERS FOR CATHETER - A method comprises providing a substantially planar slab of piezoelectric material having a top surface. The method further comprises drilling a plurality of holes through the top surface and into the slab. The method further comprises making a plurality of cuts through the top surface and into the slab. The cuts form a plurality of polygons that are generally centered about one of the holes. The method further comprises plating the slab with an electrically conductive material. The method further comprises removing the electrically conductive material from the top surface of the slab. The method further comprises cutting the slab substantially parallel to the top surface. | 06-11-2009 |
20100204642 | CATHETER WITH MULTIPLE ULTRASOUND RADIATING MEMBERS - A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The method comprises providing a catheter with a plurality of ultrasound radiating members, wherein the plurality of ultrasound radiating members are allocated into electrical groups comprising more than one ultrasound radiating member. The method further comprises independently driving each group of ultrasonic radiating members, and delivering the therapeutic compound through the catheter to the treatment site. | 08-12-2010 |
20100331763 | ULTRASOUND CATHETER WITH EMBEDDED CONDUCTORS - An ultrasound catheter comprises an elongate tubular body is disclosed. The elongate tubular body has a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region. The tubular body defines a central lumen having a central lumen surface that is electrically conductive. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an elongate, hollow inner core extending through the central lumen and has an inner core outer surface that is electrically conductive. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region of the tubular body and between the tubular body and the inner core, such that the tubular body conductive surface and the inner core conductive surface are both in electrical contact with the ultrasound radiating member. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an insulating sleeve positioned between the tubular body and the inner core in a region proximal to the ultrasound radiating member. | 12-30-2010 |
20110060253 | ULTRASONIC CATHETER WITH AXIAL ENERGY FIELD - A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a body lumen comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core comprises a first ultrasound radiating member axially separated from a second ultrasound radiating member by an intermediate flexible joint region. The inner core further comprises an electrically conductive portion configured to allow a voltage difference to be applied to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members. The inner core further comprises a high impedance cap positioned proximal to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members. | 03-10-2011 |
20120253237 | CATHETER WITH MULTIPLE ULTRASOUND RADIATING MEMBERS - A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element. | 10-04-2012 |
20140249453 | CATHETER WITH MULTIPLE ULTRASOUND RADIATING MEMBERS - A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element. | 09-04-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080281365 | NEURAL SIGNAL DUTY CYCLE - A disorder (e.g., obesity) is treated by applying an electrical signal to an autonomic nerve (e.g., a vagus or splanchnic nerve). The treatment includes applying a signal to a nerve of a patient to be treated. The signal has a duty cycle including an ON time during which the signal is applied by to the nerve followed by an OFF time during the signal is not applied to the nerve. The ON time is selected to have a duration preferably greater than 30 seconds and up to 180 seconds. | 11-13-2008 |
20090254143 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GLUCOSE REGULATION - Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation. | 10-08-2009 |
20100168815 | NERVE STIMULATION AND BLOCKING FOR TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS - At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site. | 07-01-2010 |
20100204741 | SYSTEMS FOR REGULATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE - A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses. | 08-12-2010 |
20110034968 | CONTROLLED VAGAL BLOCKAGE THERAPY - A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder. | 02-10-2011 |
20110270344 | BULIMIA TREATMENT - At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is bulimia. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve. | 11-03-2011 |
20110282411 | NERVE STIMULATION AND BLOCKING FOR TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS - At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site. | 11-17-2011 |
20120035509 | GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHODS - Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated. | 02-09-2012 |
20120041509 | CONTROLLED VAGAL BLOCKAGE THERAPY - A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder. | 02-16-2012 |
20130079745 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GLUCOSE REGULATION - Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation. | 03-28-2013 |
20130197600 | BULIMIA TREATMENT - At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is bulimia. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve. | 08-01-2013 |
20140094717 | GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHODS - Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated. | 04-03-2014 |
20140172039 | CONTROLLED VAGAL BLOCKAGE THERAPY - A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172052 | NERVE STIMULATION AND BLOCKING FOR TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS - At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site. | 06-19-2014 |