Methods and devices are described for preventing diastolic flow reversal and/or reducing peripheral vascular resistance in a patient. Also described are methods of cosmetic treatment, and methods of promoting delivery of therapeutic agents or contrast agents to bones and related tissues.

A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

Devices and methods can be used to treat dermatologic disorders, hyperhidrosis, and wrinkles using DC electroporation. In some cases, such electroporation is essentially non-thermal modulation that can be used to ablate keratinocyte neoplasms, such as seborrheic keratosis, and other non-keratinocyte derived neoplasms of the skin and adnexal structures and related structures in other anatomic sites. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for therapy delivery for the treatment of early or pre-malignant skin cancers. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for treatment of hyperhidrosis and cosmetic issues.

Devices and methods can be used to treat dermatologic disorders, hyperhidrosis, and wrinkles using DC electroporation. In some cases, such electroporation is essentially non-thermal modulation that can be used to ablate keratinocyte neoplasms, such as seborrheic keratosis, and other non-keratinocyte derived neoplasms of the skin and adnexal structures and related structures in other anatomic sites. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for therapy delivery for the treatment of early or pre-malignant skin cancers. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for treatment of hyperhidrosis and cosmetic issues.

An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.

A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

A method and apparatus for treating bone or other infection in a patient to minimize the number of limb amputations which employs a unique, three-dimensional software-controlled electronic phased array amplifier system using arbitrary waveforms that dynamically and proportionally steer electrical currents by using two or more current vector paths, sequentially or simultaneously, through a defined infected area containing electrically-conductive ionic solutions so as to obtain 100% treatment using low or high voltage, low current that delivers electrical stimulation (ES) using a low DC current through and or around the defined infection treatment area. The minimally invasive treatment of the infection requires no radiation or chemotherapy that could be harmful to the patient.

Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Apparatus is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the apparatus including: at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface, which is configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc; and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. The control circuitry is configured to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.