Electrical stimulation and thrombolytic therapy
First Claim
1. An electrical stimulation apparatus for controlled production of thrombolytic peptides comprising:
- an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical field delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to stimulate production of said thrombolytic peptides from the vascular tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is an electrical stimulation apparatus for delivering an electrical field or electrical current over a predetermined period of time to a vascular tissue (150) in order to stimulate a cell initiated thrombolytic peptide response in cells within the vascular tissue. The electrical stimulation apparatus includes an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power support, a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply, and a plurality of electrodes designed to generate an electrical field or electrical current proximal to, or within to the vascular tissue. The amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to or generated proximal to, or within the vascular tissue, and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate production of thrombolytic peptides in the vascular tissue. The control mechanism preferably includes a computer processing unit in electronic communication with the power supply, the computer being programmed to cause the electrical stimulation apparatus to deliver a predetermined amount of electrical current or voltage over a predetermined period of delivery to the plurality of electrodes such that the electrical stimulation apparatus can deliver such electrical current or voltage to the vascular tissue when the plurality of electrodes are in contact or proximity with the vascular tissue.
82 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An electrical stimulation apparatus for controlled production of thrombolytic peptides comprising:
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an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical field delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to stimulate production of said thrombolytic peptides from the vascular tissue. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 50)
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2. An electrical stimulation apparatus for delivering an electrical field or electrical current over a predetermined period of time to a vascular tissue in order to stimulate production of tPA expression within the vascular tissue the electrical stimulation apparatus comprising:
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an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in electrical communication with the power supply;
the control mechanism controlling an amplitude and a duration of a period of delivery of electrical pulses from the power supply to the respective electrodes and to the vascular tissue when the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to cause cells in the vascular tissue to have increased tPA expression.
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- 17. A vascular electrode system comprising a plurality of parallel stimulating electrodes attached to a common base plate which can be conformed to the vascular structure by wrapping said electrodes around the vasculature.
- 28. A method of thrombolytic therapy comprising the step of stimulating the vascular tissue with an electrical field or electrical current sufficient to stimulate production of at least one thrombogenic peptide in the vascular tissue when the vascular tissue is electrically stimulated, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to cause cells in the vascular tissue to increase tPA expression.
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29. A method of thrombolytic therapy comprising the step of stimulating the vascular tissue with an electrical field or electrical current sufficient to stimulate production of at least one thrombogenic peptide in the vascular tissue when the vascular tissue is electrically stimulated, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery is sufficient to alter thrombus formation.
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30. The method of treatment of vascular tissues of wherein the electrical stimulation apparatus comprises:
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an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate the desired thrombolytic response.
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38. A method of treatment of vascular tissues in which increased vascularization is desirable;
- said method of treatment comprising the steps of;
transplanting cells which are biologically compatible with the vascular tissue; and
stimulating the cells with an electrical field or electrical current sufficient to increase tPA expression of the cells;
wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to cause the transplanted cells to increase tPA expression.
- said method of treatment comprising the steps of;
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46. A method of treating a myocardial infarction comprising:
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providing an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate the desired thrombolytic response.
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47. A method of treating a stroke comprising:
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providing an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate the desired thrombolytic response.
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48. A method of treating an ischemic neuropathy comprising:
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providing an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate the desired thrombolytic response.
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49. A method of use with placement of an arteriovenous shunt comprising:
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providing an electrical field or electrical current generating unit including a power supply and a control mechanism interconnected with the power supply; and
a plurality of electrodes designed to deliver an electrical field or electrical current to the vascular tissue;
wherein the plurality of electrodes are in proximity with the vascular tissue at a plurality locations such that an electrical field or electrical current can be generated between the respective electrodes, wherein the amplitude of the electrical field or electrical current delivered to the vascular tissue and the duration of the period of delivery are sufficient to stimulate the desired thrombolytic response.
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Specification