System for nerve modulation and innocuous thermal gradient nerve block

• US 10,398,464 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2013
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hastings, Roger N., Jenson, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dornbusch, Dianne
• Application Number:
  US14/032,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20140088629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,174 Days
• Field of Search: 606159, 606169, 601 2, 601 3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0026 Stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/003 Destruction of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0043 intra-cavitary
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one nerve modulation element disposed adjacent the distal end. The nerve modulation element may be positioned or moveable to target a particular target region. The nerve modulation element may be an ultrasound transducer. The nerve modulation element may be configured to be operated at a low intensity to provide a thermal nerve block or a high intensity to effect tissue modulation.

Claims

1. A method for performing intravascular nerve modulation, the method comprising:

providing a nerve modulation system comprising;

an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region;

a first transducer disposed adjacent the distal end region; and

a second transducer disposed adjacent to the first transducer;

advancing the nerve modulation system through a lumen such that the first transducer is adjacent to a first target region;

supplying a first current to the first transducer to generate a first acoustic energy that is directed to the first target region such that a temperature of the first target region is raised to a first temperature that is sufficient to generate a thermal nerve block; and

supplying a second current to the second transducer to generate a second acoustic energy different from the first acoustic energy, said second acoustic energy directed to a second target region adjacent to the second transducer such that a temperature of the second target region is raised to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature and is sufficient to perform nerve modulation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first acoustic energy raises a temperature of the first target region by 5-10°

C. to generate a thermal nerve block.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first current is supplied to the first transducer prior to supplying the second current to the second transducer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second currents are supplied simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first transducer is positioned proximal to the second transducer.