A method comprises generating, by an implantable stimulator, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05 and applying, by the implantable stimulator, the stimulation sessions to a patient. The duty cycle is a ratio of T3 to T4. Each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and occurs at a rate of once every T4 minutes. The implantable stimulator is powered by a primary battery having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms.

A medical device includes: a case at least a portion of which functions as a first electrode; a second electrode disposed in a header coupled to the case; a core assembly, the core assembly including operational circuitry enclosed within a core assembly housing, wherein the case includes the core assembly housing; and a battery assembly, the battery assembly including a battery enclosed within a battery housing, where the case further comprises the battery housing; where the operational circuitry is configured to drive a regulated voltage onto the case.

A method comprises generating, by an implantable stimulator, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05 and applying, by the implantable stimulator in accordance with the duty cycle, the stimulation sessions to a patient. The duty cycle is a ratio of T3 to T4. Each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and occurs at a rate of once every T4 minutes. The implantable stimulator is powered by a primary battery located within the implantable stimulator and having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms.

In an example, an implantable medical device (IMD) includes a hold capacitor configured to deliver an electrical therapy pulse, and charge pump circuitry configured to transfer energy from the battery to the hold capacitor. In this example, the charge pump circuitry comprises a plurality of capacitors, and switching circuitry configured to put the charge pump circuitry into a K-factor mode selected from a group of K-factor modes by opening and closing a combination of switches connected to the plurality of capacitors.

An implantable stimulator includes a housing configured to be implanted beneath a skin surface of a patient and having a first surface adapted to face inwardly into tissue of the patient at or near a target tissue location; pulse generation circuitry located within the housing and electrically coupled to at least two electrodes, the pulse generation circuitry being adapted to deliver stimulation sessions by way of the at least two electrodes to the target tissue location, wherein each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and a rate of occurrence of once every T4 minutes, wherein a ratio of T3 to T4 is no greater than 0.05; and a primary battery contained within the housing and electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuitry, the primary battery having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms.

An implantable assembly is described for acquisition of neuronal electrical signals at a selected location which propagate along at least one nerve fiber contained in a nerve fiber bundle, as well as for selective electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve fiber, having: an implantable electrode assembly (E) which is disposed on a biocompatible support substrate which can be positioned around the nerve fiber bundle in a cuff, which has a cylindrical support substrate surface (i) which in the implanted condition is orientated facing the nerve fiber bundle, on which a first electrode assembly for locationally selective acquisition of the neuronal electrical signals and selective electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve fiber, and on which a second electrode assembly is disposed to record an ECG signal, and an analysis and control unit (A/S) which can be electrically conductively connected or is connected to the implantable electrode assembly (E), in which the locationally selective acquired neuronal electrical signals as well as the ECG signal can be analyzed in a time-resolved manner such that a neuronal time signal correlated with a physiological parameter, such as blood pressure, can be derived.

A method of treating hypertension in a patient includes generating, by an implantable stimulator configured to be implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05 and applying, by the implantable stimulator in accordance with the duty cycle, the stimulation sessions to a tissue location associated with the hypertension. The duty cycle is a ratio of T3 to T4. Each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and occurs at a rate of once every T4 minutes. The implantable stimulator is powered by a primary battery located within the implantable stimulator and having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms.

An implantable electroacupuncture device for treating a medical condition of a patient through application of electroacupuncture stimulation pulses to a target tissue location within the patient includes 1) a housing configured to be implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient, 2) pulse generation circuitry located within the housing and electrically coupled to at least two electrodes, the pulse generation circuitry being adapted to deliver stimulation sessions by way of the at least two electrodes to the target tissue location in accordance with a stimulation regimen, and 3) a primary battery contained within the housing and electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuitry, the primary battery having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms and a capacity of less than 60 mAh, wherein the primary battery is the only battery that provides power to the pulse generation circuitry.

An implantable assembly is described for acquisition of neuronal electrical signals at a selected location which propagate along at least one nerve fiber contained in a nerve fiber bundle, as well as for selective electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve fiber, having: an implantable electrode assembly (E) which is disposed on a biocompatible support substrate which can be positioned around the nerve fiber bundle in a cuff, which has a cylindrical support substrate surface (i) which in the implanted condition is orientated facing the nerve fiber bundle, on which a first electrode assembly for locationally selective acquisition of the neuronal electrical signals and selective electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve fiber, and on which a second electrode assembly is disposed to record an ECG signal, and an analysis and control unit (A/S) which can be electrically conductively connected or is connected to the implantable electrode assembly (E), in which the locationally selective acquired neuronal electrical signals as well as the ECG signal can be analyzed in a time-resolved manner such that a neuronal time signal correlated with a physiological parameter, such as blood pressure, can be derived.

An electroacupuncture device for treating hypertension in a patient includes 1) a housing configured to be implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient at an acupoint corresponding to a target tissue location within the patient, the acupoint comprising at least one of PC5, PC6, ST36, and ST37, 2) a central electrode of a first polarity and centrally located and substantially planar on a first surface of the housing, 3) an annular electrode of a second polarity and that surrounds the central electrode on the first surface of the housing, the annular electrode being spaced apart from the central electrode, and 4) pulse generation circuitry located within the housing and electrically coupled to the annular and central electrodes.