초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for providing trans-esophageal electrical signal therapy to a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a medical condition. An implantable medical device comprising at least one electrode is implanted in an inner lumen of the esophagus of the patient. At least one electr

A method and apparatus for providing trans-esophageal electrical signal therapy to a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a medical condition. An implantable medical device comprising at least one electrode is implanted in an inner lumen of the esophagus of the patient. At least one electrode is electrically coupled to the inner lumen of the esophagus. An electrical signal from the IMD is provided to a target portion of the vagus nerve through at least a portion of the wall of the esophagus for treating the medical condition.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An implantable medical device (IMD) for providing a trans-esophageal electrical signal to a target portion of the vagus nerve, comprising:a generally elongated outer shell comprising an upper surface configured in a generally convex shape, a lower surface opposite the upper su

What is claimed is: 1. An implantable medical device (IMD) for providing a trans-esophageal electrical signal to a target portion of the vagus nerve, comprising:a generally elongated outer shell comprising an upper surface configured in a generally convex shape, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a leading end, and a trailing end opposite the leading end, wherein the leading end is substantially narrower than the trailing end, wherein the lower surface is configured in a generally flat shape for conforming to a portion of an inner wall of an esophagus of a patient, and wherein the outer shell is configured to be affixable to the inner wall of the esophagus with the substantially narrower leading end pointing up;at least one electrode protruding from said outer shell and extending past the lower surface of the outer shell, said electrode capable of being electrically coupled to a portion of said inner wall of the esophagus of a patient;a power supply to provide power for an operation performed by said IMD; anda signal generation unit operatively coupled to said power supply and to said at least one electrode, said signal generation unit to generate said electrical signal to provide a therapeutic electrical signal to a vagus nerve through at least a portion of the wall of the esophagus of said patient.