The present invention relates to compositions and methods configured to deliver a stimulus (e.g., a therapeutic agent or a therapeutically beneficial signal) to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism. The stimulus is applied at least twice, and the first and second applications are separated by a rest period in which no further stimulus is actively applied. The rest period is of a duration (e.g., about 1-6 hours) sufficient to provoke an enhanced response to the second stimulus.

Disclosed are methods of increasing proliferation of CD8+ T cells comprising exposing a target site to an alternating electric field for a period of time, the alternating electric field having a frequency and field strength, wherein the frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field increases proliferation of CD8+ T cells at the target site. Disclosed are methods of generating a pro-inflammatory response in a target site comprising exposing the target site to an alternating electric field for a period of time, the alternating electric field having a frequency and field strength, wherein the frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field generates a pro-inflammatory response at the target site. Disclosed are methods of increasing proliferation of CD8+ T cells comprising exposing CD8+ T cells to an alternating electric field for a period of time, the alternating electric field having a frequency and field strength, wherein the frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field increases proliferation of CD8+ T cells. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject in need of a CD8+ T cell response comprising applying an alternating electric field to a target site of the subject for a period of time, the alternating electric field having a frequency and field strength, wherein the target site comprises one or more CD8+ T cells.

An electrical stimulation system includes a stimulation device and a container. The stimulation device may be sealed within the container. A port in the container allows the stimulation device to be coupled with a lead. The stimulation device may be used before, during, and after subcutaneous surgery to apply electrical stimulation for nerve regeneration.

Apparatus (20) is provided, including a bifurcation stent (50) comprising one or more electrodes (32), the stent (50) configured to be placed in a primary passage (52) and a secondary passage (54) of a blood vessel (30), and a control unit (34), configured to drive the electrodes (32) to apply a signal to a wall (36) of the blood vessel (30), and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall (36). Other embodiments are also described.

Generally discussed herein are systems, devices, and methods for providing a therapy (e.g., stimulation) and/or data signal using an implantable device. Systems, devices and methods for interacting with (e.g., communicating with, receiving power from) an external device are also provided.

A system for treating soft tissue of a patient. The system includes a treatment head and a computer portion. The treatment head includes a probe and an electrode operably coupled to the probe. The probe and electrode are configured to respectively deliver a mechanical force impulse and an electrical stimulation to the soft tissue when placed in operable contact with the soft tissue. The computer portion includes a CPU and is configured to coordinate the delivery of the mechanical force impulse and electrical stimulation relative to each other. The system is configured to sense a shockwave in the soft tissue of the patient, the shockwave resulting from the mechanical force impulse delivered to the soft tissue via the probe. The system is also configured to analyze a characteristic of the sensed shockwave and configure the electrical stimulation to be delivered to the soft tissue via the electrode based on the characteristic analysis of the sensed shockwave. The characteristic may be at least one of frequency of the sensed shockwave, amplitude of the sensed shockwave, and/or wave shape (form) of the sensed shockwave.

Autoinflammatory and mitochondrial disorders can be treated by positioning a plurality of electrodes in or on a subject's body, and applying an AC voltage between the plurality of electrodes so as to impose an alternating electric field through the tissue that is being affected by the autoinflammatory or mitochondrial disease. The frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field are selected such that the alternating electric field inhibits inflammation or mitochondrial disorders in the tissue.

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.

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 for producing cardiomyocyte cells including implanting a substrate within a heart such that a first portion of the substrate is in physical contact with an endocardium and a second portion of the substrate is not in contact with the endocardium, maintaining the first portion of the substrate in contact with the endocardium for a time at least sufficient to form trabecular fibers extending between the endocardium and the second portion of the substrate, cutting away the trabecular fibers from the endocardium, cutting away the trabecular fibers from the substrate, and removing the trabecular fibers from the heart, wherein the trabecular fibers include cardiomyocyte cells.