Systems and Methods for Electrical Stimulation of Biological Systems

A system for increasing a length of a high pressure zone of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of a patient, said system comprising:

• at least one electrically stimulating electrode positioned proximate said LES;
• a waveform generator coupled to said at least one electrode;
• a controller configured to electrically stimulate an area proximate said LES to increase the length of said high pressure zone above a threshold level which reduces at least one of a frequency of occurrence or an intensity of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in said patient;
• wherein an average pressure within said high pressure zone is greater than 5 mm Hg and wherein said high pressure zone has a baseline length prior to stimulation and said threshold level defines a length of said high pressure zone which is at least 10% greater than said baseline length.

A method for increasing the length of a high pressure zone of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrical stimulation system, said system comprising:
• at least one electrically stimulating electrode;
• a waveform generator coupled to said at least one electrode;
• and, a controller configured to operate said waveform generator to transmit an electrical current to said at least one electrode;
• implanting said at least one electrode within 3 cm of said LES or within a gastric cardia of said patient;
• and,
• operating said controller to cause said at least one electrode to electrically stimulate an area proximate said LES to increase the length of said high pressure zone above a threshold level which reduces at least one of a frequency of occurrence or an intensity of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in said patient.