A method is provided that includes providing an electrode, which includes a wire that has a wire diameter of between 75 and 125 microns. The wire 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 wire 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. At least a portion of the electrode is implanted in a body of a subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Electrical stimulation of neural activity in the neural innervation of the spleen provides a useful way to treat acute medical conditions. The disclosed systems and methods stimulate the neural activity of a nerve supplying a spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, such that the electrical signal produces an improvement in a physiological parameter indicative of treatment of an acute medical condition.

Electrical stimulation, including high frequency stimulation, for altering autonomic functions, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes directing an electrical signal to a target tissue at (a) a ventral region of the patient's spinal canal, (b) a sympathetic chain structure, or (c) both (a) and (b), at a frequency in a range from 1 kHz to 100 kHz, and an amplitude that does not generate an objectionable, patient-detectable sensation.

Described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to improve vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy. In particular, described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to detect P300 and/or activation of the nucleus basalis and/or the locus coeruleus to determine the efficacy of VNS. The EEG recordings can be used to provide feedback control to help optimize stimulation parameters and to screen for patients that respond well to VNS therapy.

Many embodiments of the invention provide a neuromodulation system that includes a digital control unit (DCU) that activates a stimulation engine during active stimulation, a current mirror that includes two feedback loops including a first feedback loop with positive feedback (PF) made of an error amplifier A.sub.1 and transistors M.sub.3 and M.sub.1 and a second feedback loop with a negative feedback (NF) made of the error amplifier A.sub.1 and transistor M.sub.3, and a high-voltage adaptive rail (V.sub.dd/V.sub.ss) to accommodate voltage drops across high electrode impedances.

An implantable neurostimulator system including an electrical lead having formed thereon a pair of bipolar electrodes, the electrical lead is configured for placement of the pair of bipolar electrodes proximate protrusor muscles of a patient. The system also includes a pulse generator electrically connected to the electrical lead and configured to deliver electrical energy to the pair of bipolar electrodes, the pulse generator having mounted therein a sensor configured to detect one or more physiological parameters, a memory, a control circuit, and a telemetry circuit. The system also including a communications telemetry module (CTM) in communication with the telemetry circuit and configured to receive a data collected by the sensor and data related to delivery of electrical energy to the bipolar electrodes, and an external programmer in communication with the CTM and configured to display a user interface the data collected by the sensor and data related to delivery of electrical energy to the bipolar electrodes.

An electrode lead including an elongate lead body and a nerve cuff (or other nerve contact element) including an electrically insulative cuff body (or other contact body) affixed to the distal end of the lead body and at least one electrically conductive coil partially embedded in the cuff body (or other contact body) such that there are non-embedded portions, which together define a flexible coil contact that is associated with the front outer surface of the cuff body (or other contact body), and embedded portions.

An invention and method that generate dynamical shaped voltage-gradient geometries through a plurality of dual-modal electrode-contacts placed around the biological tissue in vivo. The geometry of the voltage gradient is optimized through a feedback mechanism from the plurality of dual-modal electrode-contacts that can record electric and magnetic field potentials in the biological tissue. A control controls the waveform signal between sets of electrode-contacts to generate dynamically shaped voltage gradients to modulate a specific set of properties in the biological tissue. A method of analysis for the recorded electric and magnetic field potentials is purposed to optimize the shape of the voltage-gradient geometry through modulation of the waveform signal that is sent through the dual-modal electrode-contacts.

Described herein are methods for treating a subject suffering from or at risk for a condition mediated by an inflammatory cytokine cascade, by electrically or mechanically stimulating vagus nerve activity in an amount sufficient to inhibit the inflammatory cytokine cascade.

Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device. The device includes a housing and a header connector assembly coupled to the housing. The header connector assembly includes a DF4/IS4 assembly and a header including a bore. The DF4/IS4 assembly is locked within the bore via a locking datum arrangement that exists between the DF4/IS4 assembly and the header.