THE IMPACT- 24M TRIAL (IMPlant Augmenting Cerebral Blood Flow in Mild Strokes Trial 24 Hours From Stroke Onset)

1. Age: ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years
2. Clinical diagnosis of anterior circulation stroke
3. Baseline NIHSS ≥ 1 and ≤ 6 or lacunar stroke of any severity
4. Motor and/or sensory deficits
5. Ability to initiate treatment within 24 hours from stroke onset
6. Signed informed consent from patient him/herself or legally authorized representative if applicable.

Exclusion Criteria:

7. Neuro-imaging evidence of any intracranial hemorrhage or hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarct or other significant abnormality (e.g. tumor, abscess, suspect for subarachnoid hemorrhage).
8. Massive stroke, defined as acute parenchymal lesion with effacement of cerebral sulci in over 2/3 of the MCA territory.
9. Clinical signs and symptoms or evidence for a relevant lesion by neuro-imaging of an acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation (Vertebral, Basilar and/or Posterior Cerebral Artery territories), including but not limited to brain-stem findings and/or cerebellar findings and/or isolated homonymous hemianopia or cortical blindness.
10. NIHSS level of consciousness score ≥ 2.
11. Inability to communicate fluently and express symptoms
12. Previous motor and/or sensory deficits that will eliminate the ability to identify the response to SPG stimulation
13. Patients with bleeding propensity and/or one of the following: INR > 1.8, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≥ 45 sec., platelets count \< 75×109/L.
14. Known cerebral arteriovenous malformation, cerebral aneurysm.
15. Seizure at onset.
16. Blood glucose concentration \< 60 mg/dL.
17. Clinical suspicion of septic embolus.
18. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic >185 mmHg and/or diastolic >110 mmHg), demonstrated on each of three repeated measurements taken within one hour regardless of whether or not the patient is taking antihypertensive medications.
19. Serious systemic infection.
20. Women known to be pregnant or having a positive or indeterminate pregnancy test.
21. Patients with other implanted neural stimulator/ electronic devices (pacemakers).
22. History of SPG ablation ipsilateral to the stroke side.
23. Any condition in the oral cavity that prevents implantation of the INS, such as patient is intubated, orthodontics or non-hygienic condition.
24. Life expectancy \< 1 year from causes other than stroke.
25. Participating in any other therapeutic investigational trial within the last 30 days.
26. Known sensitivity to any medications to be used during study.
27. Subjects who have a clinically significant or unstable medical or surgical condition that may preclude safe and complete study participation. Conditions may include: cardiovascular, vascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal or neurological (other than acute ischemic stroke), or neoplastic diseases, as determined by medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, or ECG.
28. Subjects who, in the judgment of the investigator, are likely to be non- compliant or uncooperative during the study.