198 results about "Autonomic nervous system" patented technology

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is modulated to increase the parasympathetic activity / sympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Certain embodiments include modulating at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system by inhibiting and / or increasing activity in at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is electrically modulated to increase the parasympathetic activity / sympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Certain embodiments include electrically modulating at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system by inhibiting and / or increasing activity in at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is pharmacologically modulated with at least one aldosterone antagonist in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition by modulating at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is electrically or pharmacologically modulated in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood volume variability and / or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (2502) a pleth, filtering (2504) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (2506) a signal component of interest, monitoring (2508) blood pressure changes, monitoring (2510) heart rate, and performing (2512) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this relationship, the component of interest may be identified (2514) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (2516), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (2520). Otherwise, a Mayer Wave analysis (2518) may be performed to obtain parameter information related to the autonomic nervous system.

A neuro-informatics repository system is provided to allow efficient generation, management, and access to central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, effector data, and behavioral data obtained from subjects exposed to stimulus material. Data collected using multiple modalities such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Event Related Potential (ERP), surveys, etc., is stored using a variety of data models to allow efficient querying, report generation, analysis and / or visualization.

Methods for treating a renal associated disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterized by modulating at least one portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system in a manner effective to treat a renal condition in the subject. Specifically, the methods may include modulating, e.g., increasing, a parasympathetic / sympathetic activity ratio in the subject. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition by modulating at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is electrically or pharmacologically modulated in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

A neuro-informatics repository system is provided to allow efficient generation, management, and access to central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, effector data, and behavioral data obtained from subjects exposed to stimulus material. Data collected using multiple modalities such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Event Related Potential (ERP), surveys, etc., is stored using a variety of data models to allow efficient querying, report generation, analysis and / or visualization.

A system performs program and commercial response monitoring using neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data. Multiple subjects in multiple markets are exposed to programming and commercials and neuro-response data is collected using mechanisms such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Data collected is provided for response integration to measure and track multi-market program and commercial response to stimulus materials.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is modulated during at least one predetermined phase of the subject's menstrual cycle to alter the parasympathetic activity / sympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, including various disease conditions, that increase in severity and / or occurrence during one or more phases of the menstrual cycle. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

A system performs entity and relationship assessment and extraction using neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data. Subjects are exposed to stimulus material and neuro-response data is collected using mechanisms such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Data collected is provided to assess and extract entity and relationship formation among individuals, groups, or objects in marketing, advertising, entertainment, and other stimuli.

An intra-modality response synthesizer analyzes and enhances central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data to evaluate subject response to stimuli. A data collection mechanism obtains response data from a subject exposed to stimuli, such as marketing and entertainment stimuli. The intra-modality response synthesizer analyzes and synthesizes a plurality of modality specific response measures from central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector systems. For example, the intra-modality response synthesizer analyzes response data including neurophysiological data to evaluate the effectiveness of stimuli by analyzing interactions between multiple regions of the brain.

Central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data is measured and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data collection mechanism including multiple modalities such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), etc., collects response data from subjects exposed to marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data cleanser mechanism filters the response data. The response data is enhanced using intra-modality response synthesis and / or a cross-modality response synthesis.

Central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data is measured and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data collection mechanism including multiple modalities such as Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), etc., collects response data from subjects exposed to marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data cleanser mechanism filters the response data. The response data is enhanced using intra-modality response synthesis and / or a cross-modality response synthesis.

Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum. High EP values occur when this power is concentrated within a relatively narrow range of frequencies, and lower values when the power is distributed over a broader range of frequencies. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for monitoring the heart beat and presenting this information via a personal computer, handheld device, or other processing means.

A system obtains neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector system measurements from subjects exposed to stimulus material. Stimulus material is categorized and / or tagged. Survey based responses and resulting linguistic, perceptual, expressive, and / or motor responses are obtained, integrated with neuro-response data, and stored in a brain pattern analyzer repository. Neurological signatures for concepts such as yes, no, buy, purchase, acquire, like, dislike, correct, incorrect can be determined on a group, subgroup, or individual basis and stored in the brain pattern analyzer repository. The brain pattern analyzer repository may be used to predict behavior based on neurological signatures and / or similarly categorized and tagged stimulus materials that elicit corresponding neuro-response patterns for particular subject groups.

A method and device for delivering and monitoring baroreflex and drug therapy to manage hypertension. The method includes providing an implanted an implanted medical device configured to automatically detect drug-related effects on the autonomic nervous system including the steps of measuring a physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system at desired intervals, logging the physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system at desired intervals, monitoring the measured and logged physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system for any changes and correlating the changes to a corresponding drug administration time. The device includes an implanted baroreflex activation device capable of administering one or more hypertension treatment drugs including a controller that activates and adjusts therapy delivery, a baroreflex activation therapy delivery device, a drug therapy delivery device and a device that senses physiologic parameters.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is pharmacologically modulated with at least one beta-blocker in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a fertility condition. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is modulated to increase the sympathetic activity / parasympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Embodiments of the subject invention include modulating a subject's autonomic nervous system using electrical energy and / or one or more pharmacological agents. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different fertility conditions. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Systems and methods are provided for modulating the autonomic nervous system by the electrical stimulation of the neuro-muscular system of a patient, and include an implantable electrical system for gastrointestinal stimulation which incorporates a heart rate sensor to indicate the neurovegetative patient condition, to initiate and terminate stimulation at specific locations, and an algorithm to automatically control electrical stimulation frequency, interval, amplitude, or a combination of such parameters for adaptive treatment of obesity, anorexia, other eating disorders, diseases related with the so called “metabolic syndrome” (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes type 2, GERD, systemic hypertension, early arterovascular degeneration, early senility, and the like), and disorders related to a pathologic inbalance of the autonomic nervous system.

A system performs audience response measurement and tracking using neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data. Subjects are exposed to stimulus material such as marketing and entertainment materials and data is collected using mechanisms such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Data collected is analyzed to measure and track audience response to the stimulus materials.

Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV, The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum. High EP values occur when this power is concentrated within a relatively narrow range of frequencies, and lower values when the power is distributed over a broader range of frequencies. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for monitoring the heart beat and presenting this information via a personal computer, handheld device, or other processing means.

A dental orthotic comprises a mandibular orthotic conforming to a user's mandibular dentition and including oral contours adapted for adjusting the user's tongue / tooth / mouth interaction, and may include extensions for positioning the user's tongue. The contours are designed and applied to specific locations on the orthotic and extensions of the orthotic to promote a desired tongue response for specific physiological symptoms. The contours change the shape of the mandibular orthotic as well as the dental shapes within the mouth, resulting in repositioning and / or reshaping of the tongue and tissue of the throat, thereby improving the oral functions as well as relieving neuromuscular responses and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions. The dental orthotic may include a maxillary orthotic that is fixed with respect to the mandibular orthotic.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (602) a pleth, filtering (604) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (606) a signal component of interest based on the filtered signal, monitoring (608) blood pressure changes, monitoring (610) heart rate, and performing (612) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a phase relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this phase relationship, the component of interest may be identified (614) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (616), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (620). Otherwise, a Mayer Wave analysis (618) may be performed to obtain parameter information related to the autonomic nervous system.

Central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data is measured and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data collection mechanism including multiple modalities such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), etc., collects response data from subjects exposed to marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data cleanser mechanism filters the response data. The response data is enhanced using intra-modality response synthesis and / or a cross-modality response synthesis.

An apparatus and method for addressing specific physiological symptoms through distinct combinations of jaw alignment, tongue and teeth interaction is described. A dental orthotic comprising a mandibular orthotic conforming to an user's mandibular dentition used for advancing a jaw of an user forward includes a plurality of contours for adjusting the tongue / teeth interaction, and may also include extensions for positioning the user's tongue. The plurality of contours are designed and applied to specific locations on the orthotic and extensions to promote a desired response for a specific physiological symptoms. The oral contours may include specific shapes such as protrusions, depressions, and grooves. The dental orthotic may also include a maxillary orthotic which is affixed to an upper surface of the mandibular orthotic. The contours change the shape of the mandibular orthotic as well as the dental shapes within the mouth, resulting in repositioning of the tongue and tissue of the throat, thereby improving the oral functions as well as relieving neuromuscular responses and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions.

Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV, The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum. High EP values occur when this power is concentrated within a relatively narrow range of frequencies, and lower values when the power is distributed over a broader range of frequencies. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for monitoring the heart beat and presenting this information via a personal computer, handheld device, or other processing means.

An endotracheal apparatus includes a stent member including first and second ends and a lumen extending between the ends. The lumen defines an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The apparatus also includes an electrode assembly operably coupled to the stent member. The electrode assembly includes a flexible member having first and second end portions and oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, at least one electrode is operably connected to a portion of at least one of the first or second surfaces, and an attachment mechanism for securing the at least one electrode to at least one of the first or second surfaces. The at least one electrode is adapted to selectively deliver electric current to the target site and effect a change in the autonomic nervous system of the subject.