The invention refers to a device for inhibiting the neural activity of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or carotid body of a subject, the device comprising: one or more transducers configured to apply a signal to the CSN or associated carotid body of the subject, optionally at least two such transducers; and a controller coupled to the one or more transducers, the controller controlling the signal to be applied by the one or more transducers, such that the signal inhibits the neural activity of the CSN or carotid body to produce a physiological response in the subject, wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of: an increase in insulin sensitivity in the subject, an increase in glucose tolerance in the subject, a decrease in (fasting) plasma glucose concentration in the subject, a reduction in subcutaneous fat content in the subject, and a reduction in obesity in the subject.

The present invention provides, inter alia, methods, apparatus, and systems useful for ameliorating impulse control disorders known to be extremely disabling and common to many neurological and psychiatric conditions using closed-loop (responsive) neuro stimulation.

The present application relates to a new stimulation design which can be utilized to treat neurological conditions. The stimulation system produces a burst mode stimulation which alters the neuronal activity of the predetermined site, thereby treating the neurological condition or disorder. The burst stimulus comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses having a maximum inter-spike interval of 100 milliseconds. The burst stimulus is separated by a substantially quiescent period of time between the plurality of groups of spike pulses. This inter-group interval may comprise a minimum of 5 seconds.

The disclosed electrical stimulation system generates interventions to assist patients in complying with a diet. The wearable device includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the epidermis, through a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm or a range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm of the dermis, of a T2 dermatome to a T12 dermatome or meridian of the patient, a C5 to a T1 dermatome across the hand and/or arm, and/or the upper chest regions. The device is adapted to provide electrical stimulation as per stimulation protocols and to communicate wirelessly with a companion control device configured to monitor and record appetite patterns of the patient and deliver titrated therapy. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.

Provided herein as a transoral minimally invasive method and a system thereof for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and/or obesity, which at least partially encircles a part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as esophagus of the patient by advancing an elongated deformable portion of a neurostimulator assembly endoluminally to the subfascial area from the outer wall of the esophagus and introducing the elongated deformable portion sub-fascially in the subfascial area, whereby at least one part of the encircled esophagus will be modulated using a modulator.

A wearable, percutaneous device for suppressing appetite or hunger in a patient includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one percutaneous electrode implanted and configured to deliver electrical stimulation through the patient's skin. The percutaneous device includes a pad and at least one needle, in which the electrode is disposed, for secure placement of the device within the skin of a patient. The percutaneous device is adapted to provide electrical stimulation as per stimulation protocols and to communicate wirelessly with a companion control device configured to monitor and record appetite patterns of the patient. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.

The present invention teaches a method and apparatus for physiological modulation, including neural, gastrointestinal, renal, respiratory, and other modulation, for the purposes of treating several disorders, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and other disorders. This includes implanted, percutaneous, hybrid implanted and nonimplanted, nonimplanted, noninvasive neural and neuromuscular modulators, used to deliver autonomic vector modulation to deliver optimal therapy via coordinated multi-nodal modulation at least one of the afferent and efferent neurons of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and other nervous system pathways.

Vagus nerve stimulation effective in treating mood disorders include application of bursts of vagus nerve stimulation pulses having an average inter-burst duration and an average inter-pulse duration within selected intervals. The effectiveness of test agents in treating mood disorders can be determined by monitoring the firing pattern induced by the test agents on the vagus nerve. Test agents capable of inducing a firing pattern of vagus nerve pulses with average inter-burst duration and average inter-pulse duration within the selected intervals are identified as useful in treating a mood disorder.

Methods for treating a subject for a parasympathetic bias mediated condition are provided. Aspects of the methods include modulating at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system to increase the sympathetic/parasympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat the subject for the parasympathetic bias mediated condition. In some instances, the subject is known to have parasympathetic bias. Also provided are devices that find use in practicing various embodiments of the methods.

A method is provided for optimization of a stimulation specificity and an energy consumption of implanted electrodes in excitable tissue of a patient. The method may involve electrically stimulating excitable tissue between one or more combinations of electrode pairs in a cluster of electrodes, or electrically stimulating excitable tissue between one or more combinations of electrode pairs in two or more clusters of electrodes. The two electrodes of the electrode pairs may not belong to a same cluster. Each of the electrodes may be located on a physically separated entity, such that the tissue surrounds and separates each electrode from all other electrodes, thereby allowing tissue between the electrodes to be stimulated. An electrode pair or pairs which give rise to a lowest energy consumption while still giving a therapeutic effect may be chosen. Alternatively, each electrode pair may be assigned a value related to the information provided by the patient and the energy consumption, and the electrode pair or pairs which give(s) rise to a most favorable assigned value may be chosen.