An electrode is provided that includes a wire that has a wire diameter of between 75 and 125 microns. The electrode includes a non-electrically-insulated current-application longitudinal segment, which, in the absence of any applied forces, is coiled and has (i) an outer coil diameter of between 3 and 7 times the wire diameter, and (ii) an entire longitudinal length of between 5 and 35 mm. The electrode further includes an electrically-insulated lead longitudinal segment, which has an entire longitudinal length of at least 10 mm, in the absence of any applied forces. Other embodiments are also described.

Methods of preventing, treating, and/or controlling a hemorrhage in an organ of a patient include providing electrical stimulation to the arteries, veins, nerves innervating the arteries or veins, or walls of the organ. The apparatus has at least one electrode operably connected to a stimulus generator and placed in electrical communication with an artery, vein, nerve, or organ wall. An electrical stimulus generator causes an electrical stimulus to be administered to the artery, vein, nerve, or wall through the at least one electrode, where the electrical stimulus is effective for preventing, treating, and/or controlling a hemorrhage.

The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs may be 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.

An electrostimulator implant is percutaneously advanceable into tissue of a limb of a subject. The implant comprises (i) an intracorporeal sensor, configured to detect a factor indicative of local blood supply in the tissue of the limb; (ii) an electrode disposed at an outer surface of the implant; (iii) an antenna, configured to wirelessly receive power; and (iv) circuitry, powered by the received power, and configured to drive the electrode to apply a bloodflow-increasing current to the tissue at least in part responsively to the detected factor. Other embodiments are also described.

Methods for placing an electrical stimulation lead at a tibial nerve in a subject, and also for treating a tibial nerve-related condition or disease in the subject. The methods include depositing the electrical stimulation lead at a tibial nerve, activating the electrical stimulation lead to modulate the tibial nerve, and thereby treating the tibial nerve-related condition or disease in the subject.

In various embodiments methods and devices are provided for regulating bladder function in a subject after a spinal cord and/or brain injury. In certain embodiments the methods comprise applying a pattern of electrical stimulation to the Lumbosacral spinal cord at a frequency and intensity sufficient to initiate micturition and/or to improve the amount of bladder emptying. In certain embodiments the electrical stimulation is at a frequency and intensity sufficient to improve the amount of bladder emptying (e.g., to provide at least 30% emptying or at least 40% emptying, or at least 50% emptying, or at least 60% emptying, or at least 70% emptying, or at least 80% emptying, or at least 90% emptying, or at least 95% emptying.

An example method includes receiving, by an implantable device and from an external device, an energy signal; transducing, by the implantable device, the energy signal into electrical power; outputting, by the implantable device and to the external device, a feedback signal that represents an absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal, wherein the feedback signal includes a first portion that represents a relative level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal and a second portion that represents a reference voltage level; and delivering, by the implantable device, a level of electrical stimulation therapy proportional to the absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal.

Improved systems are disclosed for providing advantages during stimulation of peripheral nerves using transcutaneous, percutaneous, and implantable stimulators. Percutaneous stimulation is improved by accessories that guide the angel and depth of injection to allow for easy and controlled needle injection. Transcutaneous stimulation is improved using pressure to improve nerve recruitment. Systems and methods are disclosed for providing nerve stimulation of a patient to treat medical disorders and conditions within a single user or multiple user environments such as assisted living centers.

Systems and methods are provided for neuro stimulation. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes a stimulator introduced into tissue at a target location and a central controller that communicates wirelessly with the stimulator. The stimulator includes a power system that receives wireless energy transmission, and an electrode system that transmits an electrical pulse for stimulating the target location. The central controller includes a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the stimulator, a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the stimulator, and a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system. The central controller may instruct the stimulator to transmit one or more electrical pulses to the target location to affect an endocrine function (e.g., affect the glucose level of a patient).

Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort such as from contact lenses. The methods generally include applying spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation to one or more anatomical structures located in an ocular or nasal region. The electrical stimulation may elicit a reflex that activates the lacrimal gland or may directly activate the lacrimal gland or nerves innervating the lacrimal gland to produce tears. The devices may be implantable or handheld, and may be configured to deliver the spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation patterns described.