Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods configured to treat mood disorders in a patient using a compact implantable neurostimulator and corresponding lead(s) that are shaped, sized and configured to be implanted beneath a patient's skin in the head or neck, and to stimulate one or more target cranial nerves. The one or more medical electrical leads comprising electrode(s) are positioned adjacent to, in contact with, or in operative positional relationship to, the one or more target cranial nerves of the patient. In some embodiments, electrical stimulation is provided to the one or more target cranial nerve(s) of the patient for periods of time ranging between 30 and 60 minutes, once or twice per day. In some embodiments, power is provided to the implantable neurostimulator transcutaneously by inductive, wireless, RF, acoustic, microwave, or other suitable non-invasive means.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes a delivery tool configured to deliver a neurostimulator into a pterygopalatine fossa of a subject. The neurostimulator can include a body connected to an integral stimulation lead having one or more stimulating electrodes. The delivery tool can comprise a handle, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, a hub portion, and a double barrel sheath. The hub portion can be located between the shaft and a spine member that extends axially away from the hub portion. The hub portion can be sized and dimensioned to releasably mate with the neurostimulator. The double barrel sheath can be connected to the spine member. A central lumen can extend through at least a portion of the shaft and the hub portion. The central lumen can be adapted to receive a lead ejector for selective deployment of the stimulation lead from the double barrel sheath.

A method for providing electrical stimulation to a user as a user performs a set of tasks during a time window, the method comprising: providing an electrical stimulation treatment, characterized by a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to a brain region of the user in association with the time window; for each task of the set of tasks: receiving a signal stream characterizing a neurological state of the user; from the signal stream, identifying a neurological signature characterizing the neurological state associated with the task; and modulating the electrical stimulation treatment provided to the brain region of the user based upon the neurological signature, wherein modulating comprises delivering a portion of the set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, while maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of the treatment provided during the time window below a maximum limit.

A method for subcutaneously treating pain in a patient includes first providing a neurostimulator with an IPG body and at least a primary, a secondary, and a tertiary integral lead with electrodes disposed thereon. A primary incision is opened to expose the subcutaneous region below the dermis in a selected portion of the body. A pocket is then opened for the IPG through the primary incision and the integral leads are inserted through the primary incision and routed subcutaneously to desired nerve regions along desired paths. The IPG is disposed in the pocket through the primary incision. The primary incision is then closed and the IPG and the electrodes activated to provide localized stimulation to the desired nerve regions and at least three of the nerves associated therewith to achieve a desired pain reduction response from the patient.

In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems for attenuating effect(s) associated with reduction or cessation of substance use by an individual include providing a neurostimulation delivery system including a neurostimulation device having a first portion including a first electrode configured to electrically stimulate auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and a second portion including a second electrode configured to electrically stimulate branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and a pulse generator including circuitry configured to deliver therapeutic stimulation pulses to the first and second electrodes. Methods and systems include positioning the neurostimulation device for administration of the neurostimulation treatment, whereby the first electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and the second electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and administering the neurostimulation treatment.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for reducing or limiting blood loss and reducing bleed time in a subject by combined vagus and trigeminal stimulation. The apparatuses and methods may activate (e.g., electrically) one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve and may concurrently (at overlapping or near-overlapping time) independently activate the vagus nerve. This activation may be invasive or non-invasive.

A device may be configured to be located underneath an eyelid for treating ophthalmic conditions. The device may include an annular body and a flex circuit mounted on and conforming to at least a portion of an outer surface of the annular body. The flex circuit may include a substrate comprising an electronic circuitry portion and one or more electrode portions, and electronic circuitry attached to the electronic circuitry portion of the substrate. The flex circuit may further include one or more electrodes bonded to the substrate at the one or more electrode portions and electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry. An orientation around the annular body of each of the one or more electrodes may be based on a position on the substrate of a respective electrode portion of the one or more electrode portions.

Auricular nerve stimulation techniques for addressing patient disorders, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a signal generator having instructions to generate an electrical therapy signal, at least a portion of the electrical therapy signal having a frequency at or above the patient's auditory frequency limit, an amplitude in an amplitude range from about 0.1 mA to about 10 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 5 microseconds to 30 microseconds. The system further includes at least one earpiece having a contoured outer surface shaped to fit against the skin of the patient's external ear, external ear canal, or both, the at least one earpiece carrying at least two transcutaneous electrodes positioned to be in electrical communication with the auricular innervation of the patient, e.g., the auricular vagal nerve.

A medical device control unit is provided. The control unit may include a communications interface, a memory, and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to cause application of a control signal to a primary antenna associated with a unit external to a subject's body. The processing device may further be configured to monitor a feedback signal indicative of the subject's breathing and store, in the memory, information associated with the feedback signal. The processing device may also cause transmission of the stored information, via the communications interface, to a location remote from the control unit. The processing device may further be configured to receive an update signal, from the location remote from the control unit, and cause application of an updated control signal to the primary antenna based on the update signal.

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for treating stress and/or for improving alertness in a subject using neurostimulation therapy include placing first electrode(s) on, over, or adjacent to an auricular branch of the vagus nerve, placing second electrode(s) on, over or adjacent to an auriculotemporal nerve, and delivering therapeutic stimulation pulses via the first electrode(s) and the second electrode(s) by delivering a first series of stimulation pulses to the first electrode(s), the first series configured to increase activity in neural medullary structure(s), and delivering a second series of stimulation pulses to the second electrode(s), the second series configured to increase activity in neural structures within the Trigeminocervical Complex.