Method and system to provide therapy for obesity and gastrointestinal
disorders such as FGIDs, gastroparesis, gastro-esophageal reflex disease
(GERD), pancreatitis and ileus comprises vagal blocking and/or vagal
stimulation, utilizing implanted and external components. Vagal blocking
may be in the afferent or efferent direction, and may be with or without
selective stimulation. Blocking may be provided by one of a number of
different electrical blocking techniques. The implantable components are
a lead and an implantable pulse generator (IPG), comprising re-chargeable
lithium-ion or lithium-ion polymer battery. The external components are a
programmer and an external recharger. In one embodiment, the implanted
pulse generator may also comprise stimulus-receiver means, and a pulse
generator means with rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the
implanted pulse generator is adapted to be rechargeable, utilizing
inductive coupling with an external recharger. Existing nerve stimulators
may also be adapted to be used with rechargeable power sources as
disclosed herein. The implanted system comprises a lead with two or more
electrodes, for vagus nerve(s) modulation with selective stimulation
and/or blocking. In another embodiment, the external stimulator and/or
programmer may comprise an optional telemetry unit. The addition of the
telemetry unit to the external stimulator and/or programmer provides the
ability to remotely interrogate and change stimulation programs over a
wide area network, as well as other networking capabilities.