Abstract:
A method for evaluating a gastrointestinal tract may include receiving an electrical signal that includes data pertaining to motility in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient and analyzing one or more characteristics of the electrical signal relative to one or more respective thresholds indicative of an occurrence or an imminence of a condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
Abstract:
An example of a system for monitoring and treating a medical condition of a patient may include signal inputs to receive patient condition signals indicative of a state of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a signal processing circuit configured to process the patient condition signals and generate patient condition parameters indicative of the state of IBD using the processed patient condition signals, and a medical condition analyzer configured to analyze the patient condition parameters and determine the medical condition including the state of IBD using an outcome of the analysis. The patient condition parameters may include one or more physiological marker parameters each representative of a physiological marker of IBD and one or more quality of life parameters each being measure of quality of life of the patient.
Abstract:
A system may include an implantable structure with a plurality of electrodes attached thereto, where the implantable structure is configured to be implanted proximate to a nerve that innervates and is proximate to an organ involved with glucose control. The system may further include a controller configured for use to control which of the plurality of electrodes are modulation electrodes and which of the plurality of electrodes are sense electrodes, a modulation energy generator configured to deliver modulation energy using one or more of the modulation electrodes, and a nerve traffic sensor configured to sense nerve traffic in the nerve using one or more of the sense electrodes. The controller may be configured to determine if the delivered modulation energy captures the nerves based on the sensed neural activity.
Abstract:
A system and method for denervation where a catheter includes a radially expandable member, the radially expandable member including an exterior surface, a plurality of electrodes on the exterior surface configured for delivery of energy during a denervation procedure in a vessel, and a chemical agent coating on the exterior surface, wherein the chemical agent inhibits or prevents nerve regeneration. The radially expandable member is configured to have a first unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration, and is configured to bring the exterior surface in contact with a wall of a vessel when it is in the expanded configuration.
Abstract:
A medical device may include a stimulation member configured to apply a stimulus to a nerve that is configured to control a contraction of an airway distal to the nerve, and a measurement member configured to measure an effect of the stimulus on the airway. The medical device also may include an energy delivery element configured to deliver energy to tissue defining the airway to reduce an effect of the stimulus on the airway. The energy delivery element may be disposed at or distally of the stimulation member.
Abstract:
A method for treating a lung may include forming a channel between a first airway and a second airway through a tissue of the lung to allow air trapped within the first airway to flow through the channel and the second airway, and inserting a support member into the channel.
Abstract:
A lung device for restoring lung elasticity includes fixation members and a connecting member. The fixation member includes a first radially expandable fixation member and a second radially expandable fixation member. The first radially expandable fixation member defines a first profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The second radially expandable fixation member defines a second profile in an expanded state and a lumen. The connecting member extends between and connects the first and second fixation members. The lung elasticity restoring device is capable of reversibly extendable between an inspiration configuration and an expiration configuration, may be extendable to the inspiration configuration, and biased to the expiration configuration by the connecting member.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a device for delivering energy to tissue within a patient may include an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, an expandable energy delivery assembly extending from the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the expandable energy delivery assembly includes a plurality of legs, wherein at least one of the legs includes an electrode and defines a passageway adjacent to the electrode, and wherein the passageway is configured to receive a fluid.