Modulating afferent signals to treat medical conditions

• US 10,300,281 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Original Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Inventors: Joyner, Michael J., Johnson, Bruce D., Olson, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US14/383,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20150057313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,272 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/245 Amino benzoic acid types, e.g. procaine, novocaine salicylic acid esters A61K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4468 having a nitrogen directly attached in position 4, e.g. clebopride, fentanyl
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 23/00 Anaesthetics

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials for modulating afferent nerve signals to treat medical conditions such as CHF, CHF respiration, dyspnea, peripheral vascular disease (e.g., peripheral arterial disease or venous insufficiency), hypertension (e.g., age-associated hypertension, resistant hypertension, or chronic refractory hypertension), COPD, sleep apnea, and chronic forms of lung disease where muscle dysfunction is a part of the disease pathophysiology. For example, methods and materials involved in using electrical and/or chemical techniques to block or reduce afferent nerve signals (e.g., nerve signals of group III and/or IV afferents coming from skeletal muscle and/or the kidneys) are provided.

Claims

1. A method for increasing exercise tolerance of a mammal having heart failure, wherein said method comprises:

(a) identifying a mammal having heart failure and excessive or irregular breathing patterns, and

(b) applying an electrical therapy signal from an implanted electrode device to a skeletal muscle afferent of said mammal during exercise under conditions wherein afferent nerve signals of said skeletal muscle afferent are reduced or blocked, wherein said skeletal muscle afferent is a spinal afferent located at lumbar (L) 2, L3, L4, L5, sacral (S) 1, or S2 of a spine of said mammal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said mammal is a human.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method comprises implanting said electrode device within said mammal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical therapy signal comprises a frequency between about 1 and about 100 Hz, a current intensity between about 1 and about 10 μ

A, and a pulse width of about 1 to about 10 milliseconds.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical therapy signal is delivered by an electrode of said implanted electrode device connected to an implanted neurostimulator control unit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical therapy signal is an intermittent stimulus that cycles continuously.