Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve chain

• US 20050065562A1
• Filed: 10/23/2002
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Rezai, Ali R
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0509 Stomach and intestinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.

Claims

1. A method of treating heart disease in a patient comprising:

placing an electrode in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve of the patient, said at least one ganglion being associated with heart contractility;

applying an electric signal to the electrode in communication with the at least one ganglion; and

adjusting at least one parameter of the electric signal until heart contractility has been effected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ganglion is selected from the group consisting of T-1 through T-4 ganglia, cervical ganglia, and combinations thereof,

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical signal is applied intermittently.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has a heart contractility disorder.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the heart contractility disorder is cardiomyopathy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the heart contractility disorder is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising administering an amount of a pharmaceutical agent to the patient to compliment the effect of the electrical signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation of the at least one ganglion mimics the effect of beta blockers.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is effective in releasing tissue plasminogen activator.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is effective in modulating angiotensin 11.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ganglion is selected from the group consisting of T-1 through T-4 ganglia, cervical ganglia, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering an amount of a pharmaceutical agent to the patient to complement the pattern established in the patient'"'"'s endrocrinological system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of applying the electric signal results in up-regulation of a receptor of the pharmaceutical agent.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein up-regulation of the receptor occurs during periods of rest to thereby complement the increased release of neurohormones during periods of patient activity.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pharmaceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of an ACE inhibitor and a beta blocker.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the amount of the pharmaceutical agent is determined based upon the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation of the at least one ganglion.

11. A method of establishing or complementing a pattern in a patient'"'"'s neuro-endrocrinological system in order to treat heart disease comprising:

placing an electrode in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain of the patient, said at least one ganglion being associated with the patient'"'"'s endrocrinological system;

applying an electric signal to the electrode to stimulate the at least one ganglion to thereby establish or complement a pattern in the patient'"'"'s endrocrinological system.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of applying the electric signal results in up-regulation of a receptor of an endogenous chemical associated with the patient'"'"'s endrocrinological system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein up-regulation of the receptor occurs during periods of rest to thereby complement the increased release of nueorhormones during periods of patient activity.

20. An apparatus for complementing or establishing a pattern in a neuro-endrocrinological system in a patient in need thereof comprising:

one or more electrodes in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain of the patient;

a device for supplying an electric signal to the one or more electrodes to stimulate at least one ganglion to complement or establish a pattern in the patients neuro-endrocrinological system; and

a device for monitoring one or more parameters of the patient and adjusting the application of the electric signal to the one or more electrodes to modulate levels of endogenous chemicals.

The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a controller for controlling delivery of a therapeutically active compound to the patient based on the levels of endogenous chemicals released.