Device and implantation system for electrical stimulation of biological systems

A system for normalizing functionality of a patient's lower esophageal sphincter (LES), comprising:

• at least one electrode configured to contact the LES;
• a waveform generator coupled to the electrodes;
• and a controller configured to control the waveform generator to generate and apply an electrical pulse train to the LES through the electrodes during a stimulation period to produce said normalization of function in the LES during a rest period after termination of the electrical pulse train, which reduces at least one of a frequency of occurrence or an intensity of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) symptoms in the patient, wherein at least one of an amplitude, frequency, or duration of said pulse train is defined such that swallowing of the patient is not hindered by said stimulation.

A system for normalizing a function of a patient's lower esophageal sphincter (LES), comprising:

• at least one electrode configured to contact the LES;
• a waveform generator coupled to the electrodes;
• and a controller configured to control the waveform generator to generate and apply an electrical pulse train to the LES through the electrodes to normalize the function of the LES, which reduces at least one of a frequency of occurrence or an intensity of tLESR symptoms in the patient while allowing the patient to swallow during electrical stimulation wherein at least one of an amplitude, frequency, or duration of said pulse train is defined such that said function of the LES normalizes after at least five minutes from when stimulation is initiated.

A method of treating a patient with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) symptoms, wherein said patient has a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and wherein said LES has a pressure, the method comprising:

• maintaining an average pressure of the LES above a pressure level which reduces at least one of a frequency of occurrence or an intensity of the tLESR symptoms both during and after stimulation by applying an electrical pulse train to the LES through electrodes for a stimulation period to increase the pressure of the LES above the pressure level, and terminating the electrical pulse train for a rest period wherein at least one of an amplitude, frequency, or duration of said pulse train is defined such that the increased pressure of the LES is below a pressure level that prevents the patient from swallowing a bolus.

A method of treating a patient with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) symptoms, the method comprising:

• (a) implanting a stimulation device in the patient to contact the patient LES, (b) applying electrical stimulation to the patient LES, and (b) maintaining an average pressure of the LES above a pressure level both during and after electrical stimulation for a stimulation period to increase the pressure of the LES above the pressure level, and terminating the electrical stimulation for a rest period wherein at least one of an amplitude, frequency, or duration of said electrical stimulation is defined such that the increased pressure of the LES is below a pressure level that prevents the patient from swallowing a bolus.