A system and method of eliciting a swallowing reflex in a human subject. Stimulation signals are generated for eliciting a full swallowing reflex when applied to skin overlying a region of thyroid cartilage in the neck. The stimulation signals delivered via surface electrodes to the skin overlying at least the region of thyroid cartilage in the neck to elicit the full swallowing reflex in the human subject.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block that can involve the delivery of relatively high amounts of charge safely to tissue. Such systems and methods can include control systems for safely monitoring a direct current electrode system, including delivering direct current via an electrode lead to a target tissue of a patient; measuring the driving voltage across the electrode; comparing the driving voltage across the electrode to predetermined threshold range values; measuring the body impedance; determining a voltage drop across the lead from the body impedance measurement; and adjusting the driving voltage to maintain the voltage drop across the lead within a predetermined voltage range.

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.

Methods of improving a condition in a subject are provided herein. Aspects of the methods include at least partially restoring normal function of a central nervous system endocrine gland in a manner sufficient to improve the condition in the subject. In some instances, the condition is an aging associated condition. Aspects of the invention further include compositions, systems and devices for practicing the methods.

A system for the therapeutic treatment of joints comprising a composite material comprising a biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of piezoelectric particles adapted to generate local electric charges in response to an external stimulation made by means of ultrasound, said plurality of piezoelectric particles being dispersed in the matrix. The composite material also comprises a plurality of stamina cells dispersed in the biodegradable polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon-based particles. The system also comprises a releasing device, arranged to deposit the composite material in a joint cavity at predetermined areas of the cartilage, and a stimulator device arranged to emit ultrasound at a predetermined frequency, a predetermined intensity and for a predetermined time of application, in such a way that, when the device is located near a joint wherein the composite material has been deposited, said ultrasound stimulate the plurality of piezoelectric particles.

Accelerated recovery from direct current (DC) nerve block can be achieved using repolarization. A direct current (DC) waveform can be applied to a nerve for a time sufficient to achieve nerve block. The DC waveform can be switched to another DC waveform of reversed polarity, which can be applied for a second time, causing the nerve to enter a repolarization cycle to accelerate recovery time for the nerve. Moreover, simply applying a subthreshold DC waveform to the nerve for a time by itself can enhance a response of the nerve without blocking conduction in the nerve.

A wearable medical bandage is provided having an energy harvesting generator that harvests mechanical energy from the user's natural body and muscle motions to produce electrical energy. The electrical energy induces an electric potential across the wound opening producing accelerated skin wound recovery under the voltage fluctuations produced by the power generator.

A method of treating hyaline cartilage of a subject is provided, the method including implanting a first exposed electrode surface in osteochondral tissue of the subject, and implanting a second exposed electrode surface in a body of the subject. Regeneration of the hyaline cartilage is promoted by activating control circuitry to drive the first and the second exposed electrode surfaces to drive nutrients toward the first exposed electrode surface. Other embodiments are also described.

A therapeutic apparatus for treating damaged tissue on a limb or body of a subject includes a wearable adapted to cover and be secured to the limb or body of a subject over damaged tissue. The wearable being configured to reduce pressure on the damaged tissue and adapted to deliver one or more treatments selected from the group consisting of heat, oxygen, electrical current, and light to the damaged tissue.

A wound dressing includes a substrate, an insulating layer, at least one ion sustainable-released body, and at least one electrode. The insulating layer is disposed on the substrate, with the at least one ion sustainable-released body being uniformly disposed at the insulating layer. The ion sustainable-released body includes ions. The electrode is disposed on the insulating layer, and the electrode and the ions are functioned as an electron donor and an electron acceptor respectively.