Baroreceptor activation for epilepsy control

• US 20050096710A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Inventors: Kieval, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are described for controlling, preventing and/or treating epileptic seizures by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces seizure activity, thereby minimizing the effects of epilepsy. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor on the patient'"'"'s arterial or venous vasculature, for example in the carotid sinus, aortic arch, inferior vena cava, or the like. One or more optional sensors, such as EEG sensors, detect neurological activity to help determine when to activate baroreceptors to reduce or prevent seizures.

Claims

1. A method for effecting a change in the baroreflex system of a patient to prevent, control or treat an epileptic seizure, the method comprising:

activating at least one baroreceptor in the patient'"'"'s vasculature.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the baroreceptor is located in at least one of a carotid sinus, aortic arch, heart, common carotid artery, subclavian artery, and brachiocephalic artery.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the baroreceptor is located in at least one of an inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, portal vein, jugular vein, subclavian vein, iliac vein and femoral vein.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein activating comprises at least one of electrical activation, mechanical activation, thermal activation and chemical activation.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein activating comprises at least one of continuous activation, pulsed activation and periodic activation.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

sensing a patient condition indicative or predictive of an epileptic seizure; and

initiating or modifying activation of the baroreceptor in response to the sensed patient condition.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein sensing the patient condition comprises sensing neurological activity with one or more electroencephalogram sensors.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein activating is controlled by the patient.

9. A method for treating a patient suffering from epilepsy, the method comprising:

implanting at least one baroreceptor activation device proximate at least one baroreceptor in the patient'"'"'s vasculature; and

activating the at least one baroreceptor.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein implanting comprises intravascular implantation, extravascular implantation or intramural implantation.

11. A method as in claim 9, further comprising advancing the at least one baroreceptor activation device through vasculature of the patient to a location for implantation.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein advancing the device comprises advancing through venous vasculature of the patient.

13. A method as in claim 12, further comprising advancing the device through a wall of the venous vasculature, wherein implanting the device comprises extravascular implantation on a wall of an artery.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein the baroreceptor activation device provides at least one of electrical activation, mechanical activation, thermal activation and chemical activation.

15. A method as in claim 9, wherein the at least one baroreceptor is located in at least one of a carotid sinus, aortic arch, heart, common carotid artery, subclavian artery and brachiocephalic artery.

16. A method as in claim 9, wherein the at least one baroreceptor is located in at least one of an inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, portal vein, jugular vein, subclavian vein, iliac vein and femoral vein.

17. A method as in claim 9, wherein the baroreceptor activation device provides at least one of continuous stimulation, pulsed stimulation and periodic stimulation.

18. A method as in claim 9, further comprising:

implanting a sensor in the patient;

sensing a patient condition indicative or predictive of an epileptic seizure with the sensor; and

initiating or modifying stimulation of the at least one baroreceptor in response to the sensed patient condition.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein sensing the patient condition comprises sensing neurological activity with one or more electroencephalogram sensors.

20. A method as in claim 9, wherein the baroreceptor activating device is controllable by the patient.

21. A system for treating a patient suffering from epilepsy, the system comprising:

at least one baroreceptor activation device;

at least one sensor for sensing neurological activity of the patient; and

a processor coupled with the at least one baroreceptor activation device and the at least one sensor for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreceptor activation device.

22. A system as in claim 21, wherein the at least one baroreceptor activation device is implantable within the patient.

23. A system as in claim 22, wherein the at least one baroreceptor activation device is implantable within venous or arterial vasculature of the patient.

24. A system as in claim 21, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one electroencephalogram sensor.