The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of achalasia. Individuals with achalasia are 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.

A method of laparoscopically implanting an electrically stimulating lead proximate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of a patient includes delivering the lead through a port of a laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity of the patient through an incision in the abdominal wall. The stimulating electrode is implanted in or proximate the muscularis layer of the lower esophageal wall to treat esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lead includes a needle and suture at its distal end for pulling the electrode into the muscular wall of the LES. Clips are applied to the suture attached to the distal end of the lead to prevent retrograde movement of the electrode. The lead also includes an anchoring member for anchoring the portion of the lead proximal to the electrode. The method and lead used with the method allow the surgeon to work within the confined anatomy present at the gastroesophageal junction and prevents backwards movement and dislodgment of the electrode. The implantation procedure can be combined with a hiatal hernia repair to repair the hernia and prevent recurrence of a hiatal hernia.

A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

The present invention relates to method for implanting a medical device for controlling a flow of fluid in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's urethra. The method is performed by: cutting the skin of the patient, inserting a dissecting tool and dissecting an area of at least one portion of the tissue wall of the urethra, placing an adjustable constriction device in the dissected area in operative engagement with the urethra, placing an operation device configured to operate the adjustable constriction device to control the flow of urine in the urethra in the patient's body, placing a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the medical device in the patient's body, and placing a control unit in the patient's body configured to control the operation device based on information from the sensor.

A method may include positioning a catheter, including at least one electrode, within an esophagus such that the electrode is proximate to at least one sympathetic ganglion. The methods may further include recruiting the sympathetic ganglion via an electrical signal, monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, and, based on the monitoring the recruitment of the sympathetic ganglion, adjusting the electrical signal from the at least one electrode.

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.

Electrical stimulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrical stimulation device comprises an elongated member configured to be orally or nasally inserted into a patient's pharynx. The device may further include a conductive element carried by a distal portion of the elongated member and configured to deliver stimulation energy to nearby tissue. A stiffness of the elongated member may vary along its length to facilitate insertion of the elongated member through the nasopharyngeal junction and provide a restoring force necessary to hold the conductive element in apposition with tissue at the treatment site.

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

A system for stimulating the release of satiety hormone in a subject comprises a stimulus device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to apply an electrical stimulus to a tissue of a gastrointestinal system of said subject, and a detection device which is implantable in the subject and adapted to continuously monitoring at least one of a mechanical characteristic and an electrical characteristic of the subject to detect an ingestion of food by said subject, wherein the detection device cooperates with the stimulus device such that the stimulus device applies said electrical stimulus in response to a detected ingestion of food.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that provides an alternative to traditional treatments for sleep apnea. The system allows to apply an electrical stimulus through an electrode to stimulate an afferent nerve fiber while a patient is sleeping. The system also includes activating an endogenous central nervous system (CNS)-regulated reflex response to coordinate upper airway muscles based on the stimulation of the afferent nerve fiber. Based on the endogenous CNS-regulated reflex response, an airway patency in the sleeping patient can be regulated.