Devices, systems, and methods for treating and preventing disease

A device for delivering an electrical stimulus to nerves proximate a pharynx of a human patient and preventing or reducing aspiration of a substance from the pharynx into an airway of the patient, the device comprising:

• a pressure source;
• an elongated member having a proximal portion configured to be electrically coupled to an energy source and fluidically coupled to a pressure source and a distal portion configured to be positioned at or adjacent a treatment site within the pharynx, the elongated member having a sidewall defining a lumen therethrough and an aperture extending radially between the lumen and an outer surface of the elongated member;
• and
• a conductive element carried by the distal portion of the elongated member and configured to be electrically coupled to the energy source to deliver an electrical stimulus to nerves proximate the pharynx at the treatment site, wherein the aperture is disposed proximal of the conductive element along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member,
• wherein, when the elongated member is positioned in the pharynx with the conductive element located at or adjacent the treatment site, the aperture is located within a treatment distance of the substance within the pharynx, and
• wherein the pressure source is configured to generate a negative pressure within the lumen to draw the substance into the aperture and proximally through the lumen.

A device for delivering an electrical stimulus to nerves proximate a pharynx of a human patient and preventing or reducing aspiration of a substance from the pharynx into an airway of the patient, the device comprising:

• an elongated member having a proximal portion configured to be electrically coupled to an energy source and fluidically coupled to a pressure source and a distal portion configured to be positioned at or adjacent a treatment site within the pharynx, the elongated member having a sidewall defining a lumen therethrough and an aperture extending radially between the lumen and an outer surface of the elongated member;
• and
• a conductive element carried by the distal portion of the elongated member and configured to be electrically coupled to the energy source to deliver an electrical stimulus to nerves proximate the pharynx at the treatment site, wherein the aperture is disposed proximal of the conductive element along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member,
• wherein, when the elongated member is positioned in the pharynx with the conductive element located at or adjacent the treatment site, the aperture is located within the pharynx adjacent the valleculae and/or pyriform sinuses, and
• wherein the pressure source is configured to generate a negative pressure within the lumen to draw the substance from the valleculae and/or pyriform sinuses into the aperture and proximally through the lumen.