A medical device may include a stimulation member configured to apply a stimulus to a nerve that is configured to control a contraction of an airway distal to the nerve, and a measurement member configured to measure an effect of the stimulus on the airway. The medical device also may include an energy delivery element configured to deliver energy to tissue defining the airway to reduce an effect of the stimulus on the airway. The energy delivery element may be disposed at or distally of the stimulation member.

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.

An apparatus for performing bioelectric stimulation, the apparatus comprising: a stimulation unit; a measurement unit comprising an amplifier; first and second stimulation electrodes operable to apply electrical signals to tissue of a patient; first and second measurement electrodes operable to receive first and second measurement signals from the tissue of the patient; wherein the stimulation unit is configured to deliver a first stimulation signal to the first stimulation electrode and a second stimulation signal to the second stimulation electrode; wherein the first signal and the second signal are mirrored about a biasing voltage, the biasing voltage set in dependence of the dynamic range of the amplifier.

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. The device can include a cover configured to move relative to the conductive elements to selectively cover or expose the conductive elements.

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 for aiding in the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patent includes an endotracheal tube having a proximal region and a distal region. At least one electrode is included on the distal region to provide an electrical stimulation signal to patient tissue. The system includes a control unit coupled to the electrode and configured to differentiate proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's trachea from improper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's esophagus based on a sensed response to the electrical stimulation provided by the electrode.

A medical device is disclosed for delivering energy to a body lumen. The device includes an elongate member including a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted for insertion into a body lumen; and an energy delivery device disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongate member, the energy delivery device including at least one elongate electrode arm, wherein the elongate electrode arm is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration. The at least one elongate electrode arm includes an active region configured to contact and deliver energy to the body lumen. When the elongate electrode arm is in the first configuration, at least a portion of the active region of the elongate electrode arm extends radially inward toward a longitudinal axis of the energy delivery device.

A catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a pair of electrodes spaced apart between the proximal and distal ends; and a catheter guide comprising i) a first positioning indicator distal to the pair of electrodes for indicating if the catheter needs inserting further into the patient; and ii) a second positioning indicator proximate the first positioning indicator for indicating correct positioning of a catheter.

Disclosed herein, in some aspects, are endotracheal stimulation platforms, systems, and methods of their use for pacing the phrenic nerves, right and/or left phrenic nerves, of a subject. In some embodiments, one or more pairs of electrodes are provided through an ET tube to contact a portion of a tracheal wall, or trachea, so as to enable phrenic nerve pacing. In some cases, the one or more pairs of electrodes are configured to send electrical pulses that stimulate the phrenic nerve, thereby helping promote contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm muscle.

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.