Subthreshold stimulator for angiogenesis

• US 20020010492A1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Soykan, Orhan, Deno, D. Curtis, Mulligan, Lawrence J., Donovan, Maura G., Fernandes, Brian C. A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,810,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel stimulatory device for the controlled production of angiogenic growth factors. More specifically, the present invention provides a subthreshold pulse generator for the local production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Claims

1. A subthreshold pulse generator comprising:

a.) a power supply; and

b.) a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply to deliver a subthreshold pulse to a targeted cell or tissue.

2. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism controls at least one selected function of the electrical pulse from the power supply from the group consisting of voltage amplitude, stimulation period, charge balance, and frequency.

3. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the control mechanism has at least one additional set of components selected from a stimulus timer, output amplitude control, charge balanced pulse timer, stimulation threshold monitor, and a lead continuity monitor.

4. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the generator has a constant voltage source.

5. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the amplitude of the delivery of the electrical pulse from the power supply has a variable electrical field of about 1 V/cm.

6. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the amplitude of the delivery of the electrical pulse from the power supply provides an electrical field of about 0.5 V/cm.

7. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the amplitude of the delivery of the electrical pulse from the power supply is about 0.1 V/cm.

8. A subthreshold pulse generator of any one of claims 5, 6, or 7 wherein the variable electrical field is ±

about 30%.

9. A subthreshold pulse generator of any one of claims 5, 6, or 7 wherein the variable electrical field is ±

about 20%.

10. A subthreshold pulse generator of any one of claims 5, 6, or 7 wherein the variable electrical field is ±

about 10%.

11. A subthreshold pulse generator of any one of claims 5, 6, or 7 wherein the variable electrical field is ±

about 5%.

12. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the stimulation period of the electrical pulse from the power supply is less than about 20 msec.

13. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the stimulation period of the electrical pulse from the power supply is less than about 10 msec,

14. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the stimulation period of the electrical pulse from the power supply is less than about 5 msec.

15. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the stimulation period of the electrical pulse from the power supply is less than about 1 msec.

16. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the stimulation period of the electrical pulse from the power supply is less than about 0.3 msec.

17. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 10 Hz.

18. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 25 Hz.

19. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 40 Hz.

20. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 50 Hz.

21. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 70 Hz.

22. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 85 Hz.

23. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2 wherein the frequency of stimulation is about 100 Hz.

24. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrodes for delivery of said subthreshold pulse to the targeted cells or tissue.

25. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 18, wherein at least one electrode is capable of being placed on a catheter and delivered to a target organ transluminally.

26. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 3 wherein the subthreshold pulse generator provides stimulation to the cells or tissue when the electrodes are in contact with or in proximity of the targeted cells or tissue.

27. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 2, wherein the amplitude and duration period of the delivery is sufficient to stimulate angiogensis.

28. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the delivered subthreshold pulse is charge balanced.

29. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 additionally comprising a computer processing unit in electronic communication with the power supply, the computer being programmable to cause the subthreshold pulse generator to deliver a predetermined amount of electrical current or voltage over a predetermined period of delivery to said targeted cells or tissue.

30. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulse generator is implanted in the body.

31. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulse generator is external to the body.

32. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 for delivering an electrical field over a predetermined period of time to a targeted tissue or cell to stimulate the production of VEGF expression.

33. A subthreshold pulse generator of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulse generator is externally controlled.

34. A therapeutic delivery system comprising a subthreshold pulse generator operably linked with mammalian cells or tissue.

35. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 wherein the subthreshold pulse generator provides a subthreshold stimulation.

36. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 further comprising a plurality of electrodes wherein the subthreshold pulse generator provides stimulation to the cells or tissue from a plurality of electrodes.

37. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 wherein the electrical pulse generator provides stimulation to the cell or tissue when the electrodes are in contact with or in proximity of the targeted cells or tissue.

38. A therapeutic delivery system of one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated tissue is muscle tissue.

39. A therapeutic delivery system of one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated tissue is heart muscle tissue.

40. A therapeutic delivery system of one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated tissue is skeletal muscle tissue.

41. A therapeutic delivery system of one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated cells are smooth muscle cells.

42. A therapeutic delivery system one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated cells are vascular muscle cells.

43. A therapeutic delivery system of one of claims 34-37 wherein the stimulated cells are vascular endothelial cells.

44. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 37 wherein the electrodes are configured in a manner selected from the group consisting of unipolar, bipolar, and multiple electrode configurations.

45. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 wherein the electrical pulse generator is implanted.

46. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 wherein the electrical pulse generator is external.

47. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 wherein the electrical pulse generator is externally controlled.

48. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 additionally comprising a sensing electrode for optionally readjusting or synchronizing the period of delivery of the subthreshold pulses.

49. A therapeutic delivery system of claim 34 for delivering an electrical field over a predetermined period of time to targeted cells or tissue to stimulate the production of VEGF expression.

50. A method of treating a patient comprising providing the patient with a subthreshold pulse generator operably linked with targeted mammalian cells or tissues.

51. A method of treating a patient comprising providing the patient with a subthreshold pulse generator operably linked to the tissue for acute subthreshold stimulation therapy to improve angiogenesis.

52. A method of treating a patient comprising delivering an electrical field over a predetermined period of time to a targeted cells or tissue to stimulate the production of VEGF expression.

53. A method of increasing vascularization in a target tissue comprising providing subthreshold stimulatory pulses to the targeted muscle tissue.

54. A method of increasing vascularization in a target tissue wherein the subthreshold stimulatory pulses are targeted to vascular muscle tissue.

55. A method of increasing vascularization in a target tissue wherein the subthreshold stimulatory pulses are targeted to heart muscle tissue.

56. A method of increasing vascularization in a target tissue wherein the subthreshold stimulatory pulses are targeted to skeletal muscle tissue.

57. A method of treating a patient comprising providing the patient with a subthreshold pulse generator operably linked to a muscle tissue for subthreshold stimulation therapy.

58. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 wherein stimulated tissue is muscle tissue.

59. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 wherein stimulated tissue is heart muscle tissue.

60. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated tissue is skeletal muscle tissue.

61. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated cells are muscle cells

62. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated cells are heart muscle cells.

63. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated cells are skeletal muscle cells.

64. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated cells are vascular muscle cells.

65. A method of treating a patient of claim 57 where in stimulated cells are vascular endothelial cells.

66. A method of improving vascularization in a targeted tissue comprising the steps of:

a. stimulating cultured cells with a subthreshold electrical field;

b. injecting the stimulated cells into the targeted body tissue.

67. A method of improving vascularization in a target tissue of claim 66 wherein the method additionally comprises stimulating the injected cells.

68. A method of improving vascularization in a targeted tissue comprising the steps of:

a. injecting cells into a targeted body tissue; and

b. stimulating the injected cell area with subthreshold stimulation.