Apparatus and methods for assisted breathing by transvascular nerve stimulation

A catheter, comprising:

• an elongated tubular member including a first plurality of apertures in an exterior wall of the elongated tubular member and a second plurality of apertures in the exterior wall, wherein the second plurality of apertures is located distal to the first plurality of apertures such that a longitudinal distance between a most distal aperture of the first plurality of apertures and a most proximal aperture of the second plurality of apertures is greater than a longitudinal distance between adjacent apertures of the first plurality of apertures and a longitudinal distance between adjacent apertures of the second plurality of apertures;
• a plurality of proximal electrodes located within the elongated tubular member, wherein each of the plurality of proximal electrodes is positioned radially inward of a corresponding one of the first plurality of apertures;
• and
• a plurality of distal electrodes located within the elongated tubular member, wherein each of the plurality of distal electrodes is positioned radially inward of a corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures.

A catheter, comprising:

• an elongated member;
• a proximal set of electrodes positioned along a first longitudinal portion of the elongated member to at least one of emit or receive electrical energy to or from an exterior of the elongated member along only a portion of a circumference of the first longitudinal portion;
• and
• a distal set of electrodes positioned along a second longitudinal portion of the elongated member to at least one of emit or receive electrical energy to or from an exterior of the elongated member along only a portion of a circumference of the second longitudinal portion;
• wherein the proximal and distal sets of electrodes are positioned such that the proximal set of electrodes is configured to stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal set of electrodes is configured to stimulate the patient's right phrenic nerve.