Fig. 1

Design of the silicone tube-based cuff bipolar electrodes and the hemodynamic responses to right cervical vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in free-moving rats. a Schematic representation of the structure of the cuff electrode. b Image of the implanted electrode with the cervical vagal nerve. The sample electrode was removed 3 months after the implantation surgery. c Representative recording of HR and AP response to VNS in a conscious rat with CHF (stimulation intensity: current, 0.1 mA; pulse, 0.2 ms; frequency, 20 Hz). This panel shows the VNS treatment protocol after the adjustment of the stimulation intensity, which was 0.1 mA. In c, black boxes indicate VNS