Systems and methods for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include at least one electrically stimulating electrode coupled to a pulse generator. Individuals with GERD are treated by implanting a stimulation device within and/or proximate the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, gastric fundus, or other nearby gastrointestinal structures and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and/or fundus, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. Electrical stimulation provided by the disclosed systems results in an increase in the length of the high pressure zone of the LES and/or modulation of the receptive relaxation response of the fundus to decrease gastric pressure, creating a longer barrier to the reflux of gastric contents or increasing functional lower esophageal pressure respectively, thereby treating GERD.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of fluid and/or other bodily matter in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's organ. 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 flow in the lumen, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the lumen. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the lumen, or for actively moving the fluid in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the organ. Such an organ may be the esophagus, stomach, intestines, urine bladder, urethra, ureter, renal pelvis, aorta, corpus cavernosum, exit veins of erectile tissue, uterine tube, vas deferens or bile duct, or a blood vessel.

A gastrointestinal stimulation apparatus and methods with an electronic controller and a flexible and stretchable electrode array with a central branch and orthogonal bilateral branches that wrap around a section of the gastrointestinal tract and can accommodate repetitive contraction and relaxation movements of the tract. Array branches have a flexible spring structure, stimulation electrodes, recording electrodes, sensors controlled by a controller and adhesion nodes that fix the branches to the tissue. The electrode array can sense the normal peristalsis from upstream tissue and produce a stimulus signal to stimulate the incapable intestine section to generate stimulation-induced contractions. Electrodes on the incapable intestine section can be used for stimulation or recording, the recorded signal from the incapable intestine section can be sent back to the electronics to form a closed loop control system. An impedance measurement using current stimulation can be used to capture low frequency contraction signals.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus. In addition, the methods and device allow for timed delivery of ventilations based on a condition of a thoracic cavity to increase the amount and efficiency of blood flow during a resuscitation procedure.

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.

An electrical stimulation system according to an embodiment may comprise: a catheter having a long and thin tubular shape; an electrode disposed at one end of the catheter and inserted into a target portion; an electrical stimulator for generating electrical stimulation to be applied onto the target portion by the electrode; and a control part for controlling an electrical pulse of the electrical stimulator to change the electrical stimulation applied onto the target portion, wherein the electrode applies electrical stimulation in a state where a distal end of the electrode is enlarged and fixed to a target portion.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing injury to an esophagus caused by heat or cold being delivered to the left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which has an inflated generally flattened cross section (e.g. capsule-shaped, elliptical) corresponding with the cross section of the inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heat exchanger which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration.

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.

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.