Method and system for endotracheal/esophageal stimulation prior to and during a medical procedure

A method of evaluating stimulation during a medical procedure, comprising:

• stimulating a site with a first electrode arrangement;
• evaluating stimulation at the site to provide a first stimulation value;
• stimulating the site with a subsequent electrode arrangement;
• evaluating stimulation at the site to provide a subsequent stimulation value;
• comparing the first stimulation value and the subsequent stimulation value to determine a best stimulation value;
• and
• continuing stimulation with an electrode arrangement associated with the best stimulation value.

A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• stimulating a nerve with a first electrode arrangement to adjust the beating of a heart to a first condition;
• evaluating stimulation from the first electrode arrangement to provide a first stimulation value;
• stimulating the nerve with a subsequent electrode arrangement;
• evaluating stimulation from the subsequent electrode arrangement to provide a subsequent stimulation value;
• selecting a desired electrode arrangement based on the first stimulation value and the subsequent stimulation value;
• and
• stimulating the nerve with the desired electrode arrangement.

A system for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• a first electrode arrangement operatively arranged on a stimulation tube;
• a second electrode arrangement operatively arranged on a stimulation collar;
• a processor for evaluating stimulation from a set of electrodes, the pair of electrodes comprising at least one electrode from the stimulation tube and at least one electrode from the stimulation collar;
• a controller for controlling stimulation from the set of electrodes.

A method of performing heart surgery, comprising:

• transvenously stimulating a nerve with a first electrode arrangement to reduce the beating of a heart;
• evaluating stimulation from the first electrode arrangement to provide a first stimulation value;
• stimulating the nerve with a subsequent electrode arrangement;
• evaluating stimulation from the subsequent electrode arrangement to provide a subsequent stimulation value;
• selecting a desired electrode arrangement based on the first stimulation value and the subsequent stimulation value;
• stimulating the nerve with the desired electrode arrangement;
• performing surgery on the heart;
• stopping stimulation of the nerve;
• stimulating the heart to cause beating of the heart;
• re-stimulating the nerve to re-inhibit beating of the heart;
• and
• continuing the surgery.

A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• stimulating a vagal nerve with a first endotracheal electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of a heart;
• evaluating stimulation from the first endotracheal electrode arrangement to provide a first stimulation value;
• stimulating the vagal nerve with a second endotracheal electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of the heart;
• evaluating stimulation from the second endotracheal electrode arrangement to provide a second stimulation value;
• selecting a desired electrode arrangement based on the first stimulation value and the second stimulation value;
• stimulating the nerve with the desired electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of the heart;
• performing the medical procedure;
• stopping stimulation of the vagal nerve;
• re-stimulating the vagal nerve to re-inhibit beating of the heart;
• and
• continuing the medical procedure.

A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• stimulating a vagal nerve with a first esophageal electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of a heart;
• evaluating stimulation from the first esophageal electrode arrangement to provide a first stimulation value;
• stimulating the vagal nerve with a second esophageal electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of the heart;
• evaluating stimulation from the second esophageal electrode arrangement to provide a second stimulation value;
• selecting a desired electrode arrangement based on the first stimulation value and the second stimulation value;
• stimulating the nerve with the desired electrode arrangement to inhibit the beating of the heart;
• performing the medical procedure;
• stopping stimulation of the vagal nerve;
• re-stimulating the vagal nerve to re-inhibit beating of the heart;
• and
• continuing the medical procedure.