The present disclosure relates to treatment of reflux disease of a human patient. More particularly, a device is disclosed, which is configured to be implanted in the body of the human to restrict movement of the cardia of the patient's stomach towards the diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, and/or to prevent stomach contents from passing from the stomach into the esophagus.

The present invention provides a catheter for assisting recovery from dysphagia.

Electrical stimulation devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the present technology, for example, are directed to a method of identifying a treatment location for applying electrical stimulation energy to treat a medical condition. A method in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology comprises identifying a treatment location in a pharynx of the patient such that application of electrical stimulation energy at the treatment location produces a favorable increase in motor activity and/or functional reorganization of the centers in the brain responsible for controlling and coordinating motor activity of the pharynx.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a diaphragmatic twitch response. The diaphragmatic twitch response can be used to determine a depth of neuromuscular blockade. The system includes a neural stimulation device to stimulate a phrenic nerve of a subject, which has the effect of stimulating the subject's diaphragm. The system also includes a monitor to detect the diaphragm's response to the stimulation. For example, the monitor can include a nasogastric tube with two distally positioned inflatable balloons. Each of the inflatable balloons is coupled to a sensor to measure a corresponding pressure (e.g., an esophageal pressure and a gastric pressure). The pressure differential between the esophagus above the diaphragm and the stomach below the diaphragm (also referred to as the transdiaphragmatic pressure) can be used as a measure of the diaphragmatic twitch response.

The present invention defines a device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising a flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient and one or more electrodes proximate the imaging device for imparting electrical stimulation to the patient.

A catheter for assisting recovery from dysphagia comprising: a feeding tube; a sleeve for receiving the feeding tube and being movable longitudinally relative to the feeding tube, and a retaining formation attached to the sleeve for fixing the position of the sleeve relative to the feeding tube, wherein the retaining formation comprises a first part and a second part connected by a living hinge, the second part being movable relative to the first part between an open position whereby the sleeve can be moved longitudinally relative to the feeding tube and a closed position, whereby the feeding tube is clamped between the first part and the second part to positionally fix the sleeve relative to the feeding tube.

The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow and have improved energy storage requirements.

Systems and methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) includes minimally invasively implanting a stimulating device in a patient's esophagus in the region proximate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The patient is provided with a questionnaire related to his disease via an online service. The questionnaire is accessed on a mobile device, such as a cell phone, or on a computer with network access. The data from the sensors and the answers from the questionnaire are analyzed together by a health care provider using the online service. The data and answers are used to program the stimulating device, via the mobile device or computer, to optimize treatment.

Devices, systems and methods for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease wherein the treatment includes stimulating selected nerve fibers responsible for smooth muscle dilation at a selected region within a patient's neck, thereby reducing the magnitude of constriction of bronchial smooth muscle.

Provided is a catheter that is manufacturable in a simplified fashion. The catheter 1 includes: a catheter tube 11 including a tip-flexible part 11A that has an inner tube (first tube 61) and a plurality of divided tube members 620 to 625 that are disposed on outer circumference of the inner tube and independent of each other; one or a plurality of metal rings disposed in the tip-flexible part 11A; one or a plurality of temperature sensors disposed corresponding to the one or the plurality of metal rings; and a handle 12 attached at a base end of the catheter tube 11. A rate of a thickness of the metal ring to an outer diameter of the metal ring is 7.5% or greater. The metal ring and the plurality of divided tube members 621 to 625 are both so disposed in the tip-flexible part 11A as to be fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the inner tube side by side in an axial direction of the catheter tube 11.