Vagal nerve stimulation using vascular implanted devices for treatment of atrial fibrillation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for stimulating a vagal nerve in an animal, said apparatus comprising:
- a power transmitter that emits a radio frequency signal;
a stimulator for implantation in a blood vessel adjacent the vagal nerve in the animal and having a pair of electrodes and an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit receives the radio frequency signal, derives an electrical voltage from energy of the radio frequency signal and applies the electrical voltage as pulses to the pair of electrodes thereby stimulating the vagal nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An abnormally rapid ventricular cardiac rate that results from atrial fibrillation can be reduced by stimulating a vagal nerve of the heart. An apparatus for such stimulation includes a power transmitter that emits a radio frequency signal. A stimulator, implanted in a blood vessel adjacent the vagal nerve, has a pair of electrodes and an electrical circuit thereon. The electrical circuit receives the radio frequency signal and derives an electrical voltage from the energy of that signal. The electrical voltage is applied in the form of pulses to the pair of electrodes, thereby stimulating the vagal nerve. The pattern of that stimulating pulses can be varied in response to characteristics of the atrial fibrillation or the ventricular contractions.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for stimulating a vagal nerve in an animal, said apparatus comprising:
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a power transmitter that emits a radio frequency signal;
a stimulator for implantation in a blood vessel adjacent the vagal nerve in the animal and having a pair of electrodes and an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit receives the radio frequency signal, derives an electrical voltage from energy of the radio frequency signal and applies the electrical voltage as pulses to the pair of electrodes thereby stimulating the vagal nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for stimulating a vagal nerve in an animal comprising:
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implanting a stimulator adjacent the vagal nerve;
transmitting a radio frequency signal from a power transmitter;
receiving the radio frequency signal at the stimulator;
deriving an electrical voltage from energy of the radio frequency signal received by the stimulator; and
applying the electrical voltage as pulses to a pair of electrodes thereby stimulating the vagal nerve. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in an animal comprising:
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implanting a stimulator adjacent a vagal nerve of the animal;
transmitting a radio frequency signal from a power transmitter;
receiving the radio frequency signal at the stimulator;
deriving an electrical voltage from energy of the radio frequency signal received by the stimulator; and
applying the electrical voltage as pulses to a pair of electrodes thereby stimulating the vagal nerve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification