An implantable electronic neuromodulation system includes an implantable pulse generator comprising a controller and a memory. The memory is configured to store an emulated neurosensory signal representative of nerve traffic acquired from a patient equipped with an extra-aortic balloon pump counter-pulsation system or an intra-aortic balloon pump counter-pulsation system. A lead is coupled to the implantable pulse generator. At least one electrode is coupled to the lead. The at least one electrode is positionable in contact with or adjacent to at least one nerve that carries sensory information from baroreceptors. The controller is configured to stimulate the at least one nerve using the emulated neurosensory signal.

A method for treating a male impotent patient, the method comprising the steps of cutting the skin of the patient, inserting a dissecting tool and dissecting an area of at least one portion of a tissue wall of a penile portion, and placing a medical device. The medical device comprises a constriction device configured to gently constrict the penile portion to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and a stimulation device configured to stimulate the penile portion constricted by the constriction device to at least further restrict the blood flow leaving the penis to achieve erection.

A drive unit system for operating a cardiac assist device is disclosed. The drive unit system may include an R-wave detection module that makes a speculative detection of an R-wave associated with a received electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of a patient's heart and a conservative detection of the R-wave. The drive unit system includes a drive unit that may be coupled to the cardiac assist device and may operate the cardiac assist device based on the speculative detection and the conservative detection.

A drive unit system for operating a cardiac assist device is disclosed. The drive unit system may include an R-wave detection module that makes a speculative detection of an R-wave associated with a received electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of a patient's heart and a conservative detection of the R-wave. The drive unit system includes a drive unit that may be coupled to the cardiac assist device and may operate the cardiac assist device based on the speculative detection and the conservative detection.

There is provided a method for controlling the movement of bile and/or gall stones in the biliary duct. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, or for actively moving the fluid in the biliary duct, with a low risk of injuring the biliary duct.

The various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device in a patient. The systems and methods include utilizing sounds and electrical signals produced by the heart to control the operation of the heart assist device.

The present invention relates to deforming a patient's artery. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation pressure is applied to the outer wall of the artery.

An extravenous valve may include a constricting member configured to surround a body lumen or blood vessel and actuate between a lumen or vessel-occluding configuration and a non-lumen or non-vessel-occluding, configuration, the constricting member including a base material and a shape memory material coupled to the base material, a power source in communication with the constricting member, and a controller configured to receive bio-feedback from a patient. The controller may reversibly actuate the constricting member between the lumen or vessel-occluding configuration and the non-lumen or non-vessel-occluding configuration in response to the bio-feedback. The constricting member may be sized and configured to be delivered to the treatment location through the body lumen or blood vessel.

Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.