This document describes methods and devices for using electrical stimulation to control physiological functions such as breathing of patients suffering from respiratory impairment. For example, this document describes methods and devices for generating effective breaths and airway protection by determining times and depths of breaths in accordance with physiological demand, and coordinating respiratory muscle stimulation with the breaths to control breathing.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface, and a tube coating applied to the exterior surface via spraying of a homogeneous solution onto the endotracheal tube or immersion of the endotracheal tube in the homogeneous solution. A conductive electrode is formed on the tube coating. The conductive electrode is configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for treating pulmonary tissues via delivery of energy, generally characterized by high voltage pulses, to target tissue using a pulmonary tissue modification system (e.g., an energy delivery catheter system). Example pulmonary tissues include, without limitation, those within the respiratory tract, particularly the epithelium (the goblet cells, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells, and basal cells), lamina propria, submucosa, submucosal glands, basement membrane, smooth muscle, cartilage, nerves, pathogens resident near or within the tissue, or a combination of any of these. The systems may be used to treat pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, particularly coronaviruses.

Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.

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

A method for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis to alleviate the discomforts of breathing by using non-thermal electroporation energy to ablate diseased portions of the lung including the bronchus, airways and alveoli which, in effect, opens the restrictive diseased portions thereby maximizing the overall surface area thereof causing improved airflow and uninhibited breathing.

A submucosa treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a probe that is capable of approaching mucosa of a treatment field; an electrode that is provided in the probe, and applies an electrical signal to blood vessels of submucosa; and a guide where the probe is movably accommodated, and a guide where the probe is movably accommodated, and guiding a position of the electrode with respect to the mucosa.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

A system for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure within a subject includes a device having a distal portion configured for insertion within a lumen or duct of the subject, the device including an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, the elongate body comprising a polymeric material and having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more electrically-conductive tracings carried on a first surface of the elongate body and configured to carry a signal, and one or more conductors embedded within the polymeric material and configured to carry a signal.

A delivery system for local drug delivery to a target site of internal body tissue is provided. The delivery system comprises a source electrode adapted to be positioned proximate to a target site of internal body tissue. A counter electrode is in electrical communication with the source electrode, and is configured to cooperate with the source electrode to form a localized electric field proximate to the target site. A reservoir is configured to be disposed such that the reservoir is capable of interacting with the localized electric field. The reservoir is configured to carry a cargo capable of being delivered to the target site when exposed to the localized electric field. Associated methods are also provided.