An implantable lead includes a tubular lead body having proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end. A distal assembly includes an outer shell having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A tubular inner preform is disposed at least partially within the outer shell and includes a longitudinal slot extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, and a circumferential slot extending partially around a circumference of the inner preform. A coupler is disposed within the shell and includes a channel extending distally from the proximal end and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions. The inner preform is coupled to the proximal portion of the coupler. A helical electrode is disposed about the distal portion of the coupler and a distal portion extends from the distal portion of the shell. A first conductor is mechanically and electrically coupled to the coupler.

Methods of treating acute heart failure in a patient in need thereof. Methods include inserting a therapy delivery device into a pulmonary artery of the patient and applying a therapy signal to autonomic cardiopulmonary fibers surrounding the pulmonary artery. The therapy signal affects heart contractility more than heart rate. Specifically, the application of the therapy signal increases heart contractility and treats the acute heart failure in the patient. The therapy signal can include electrical or chemical modulation.

Methods and systems for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.

The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of conductive scaffolds of micro and/or nanofibers with the help of different printing techniques (e.g., near-field electrostatic printing, inkjet printing), such scaffolds enabling the formation of two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) neural networks to mimic the native counterparts. Applications of such patterned conductive scaffolds include, but are not limited to, an engineered conduit for guiding the differentiation and outgrowth of neural cells in peripheral nerve damage or in large-volume spinal cord injury under the electrical stimulation. Meanwhile, the scaffolds could also locally deliver various biomolecules in conjunction with electrical stimulation for facilitated nervous system regeneration.

The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing addiction and relapse use of addictive agents where the method comprises: (a) administering to a subject a co-therapy treatment with an auricular or peri-auricular electro-acupuncture or neurostimulation device, (b) co-treatment with at least one non-narcotic detoxification agent and (c) administering to the subject an opioid antagonist. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of addiction to any agent, including alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines, as well as compulsive and addictive behaviors, including pathological gambling and pathological overeating.

A system for selecting a sensitivity level for adjusting an intensity setting for therapy provided to a patient includes one or more processors and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive an indication of an input to adjust an intensity setting related to the therapy provided to the patient and determine a sensitivity level for adjustment of the intensity setting based on an efficacy of the therapy provided to the patient. The one or more processors are further configured to determine an updated intensity level for the intensity setting based on the sensitivity level and the input to adjust the intensity setting and output an instruction to cause a medical device to provide the therapy at the updated intensity level.

Disclosed are highly compliant bioelectronic neural interface devices with hydrogel adhesion. Example devices include adhesion-promoting functional groups that facilitate enhanced electrical contact with the nerve without the need for continuous application of pressure. A transfer process may be used to fabricate the device using a sacrificial material (e.g., polyacrylic acid (PAA)) that has tunable solubility in aqueous media, helping avoid the need for harsher release chemicals that may affect the properties of the hydrogel. The transfer process also helps achieve electrode contacts that are flush with a surface of the device and facilitate more intimate contact with the nerve. A gradual change in Young's modulus from a stiff contact pad region to a more compliant electrode contact region may be achieved via a varied amount of an epoxy-based material (such as SU-8) and with silicone-based material (such as polydimethylsiloxame (PDMS)) to encapsulate the device cable.

A leadless biostimulator, such as a leadless pacemaker, including a header assembly having a monolithic controlled release device (MCRD) for therapeutic agent elution, is described. The MCRD is in fluid communication with a space between an insulator and an electrode of the header assembly to elute therapeutic agent into the space when the leadless biostimulator is implanted. The therapeutic agent can elute through the space around the electrode to provide controlled elution of the therapeutic agent to a surrounding environment. The electrode can extend longitudinally through the insulator cavity to a distal tip that provides a stable surface area and controlled impedance for pacing a target tissue. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.