An implant system is provided, which includes an implant, including an implant body and an electrode disposed on the implant body; and a hollow needle, which is configured to be percutaneously advanceable into tissue of a subject. The hollow needle is shaped so as to define a lumen dimensioned to house the implant; at a distal end of the hollow needle, a distal end opening configured to facilitate passage of the implant therethrough from the lumen; and a lateral wall shaped so as to define a window therethrough to the lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention relates to a neuromodulation apparatus and methods of using the neuromodulation apparatus for treating bladder dysfunction.

An electrode that includes an elongate lead body and a nerve cuff. The nerve cuff may include a biologically compatible, elastic, electrically insulative cuff body configured to be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, first and second relatively wide electrically conductive contacts carried by the cuff body that are spaced from one another in the length direction and that extend in the width direction to such an extent that they extend completely around the cuff body inner lumen when the cuff body is in the pre-set furled shape, and a plurality of relatively narrow electrically conductive contacts carried by the cuff body that are spaced from one another in the width direction and are located between the first and second relatively wide electrically conductive contacts.

An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.

A flexible neural electrode array is provided, comprising a layer of metal which is arranged on a first layer of polymeric material and which forms a number of contact pads. The first layer of polymeric material is flexible along a predefined direction, each contact pad of the number of contact pads having a sequence of cuts through the metal, each cut extending in a straight line across the predefined direction. Each cut has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being within the contact pad, the outer end being at an edge of the contact pad, and each second cut of the sequence of cuts having its outer end at the same edge of the contact pad. A method is further provided for fabricating a flexible neural electrode array.

Disclosed are methods and systems for treating epilepsy by stimulating a main trunk of a vagus nerve, or a left vagus nerve, when the patient has had no seizure or a seizure that is not characterized by cardiac changes such as an increase in heart rate, and stimulating a cardiac branch of a vagus nerve, or a right vagus nerve, when the patient has had a seizure characterized by cardiac changes such as a heart rate increase.

A method for titrating a stimulation parameter for one or more electrode contacts in a system for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient includes activating one of the one or more electrode contacts to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve of the patient, obtaining a first and/or second physiological measurement from the patient, comparing the first and/or second physiological measurement to a first and/or second predetermined target value, adjusting a stimulation parameter for the one of the one or more electrode contacts if the first and/or second physiological measurement differs from the first and/or second predetermined target value.

A neurostimulator implant includes an insulating member and an elongate circuitry unit. The circuitry unit includes (a) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a first end portion of the circuitry unit; (b) a second electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a second end portion of the circuitry unit; and (c) circuitry, disposed inside the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the first and second electrodes. The circuitry unit is disposed alongside a medial part of the insulating member, bulging away from the insulating member to define a generally arced portion of the implant. Lateral parts of the insulating member extend laterally outward from the medial part to define lateral zones laterally beyond the circuitry unit. The second side of the insulating member defines a generally flat side of the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

An electrode apparatus may include a handle, a cannula extending from a distal end of the handle and having at least one lumen, a ground wire extending through the cannula, and an electrode wire extending through the handle and the cannula, the electrode wire being extendable and retractable relative to a distal end of the cannula. The apparatus may also include a hook, provided in the cannula, and being extendable and retractable relative to the cannula.

An implantable neurostimulator system is disclosed, the neurostimulator system comprising a hollow cylindrical electronics enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a side; a coil extending from a first part of the electronics enclosure; and at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure.