Method to enhance progenitor or genetically-modified cell therapy

• US 20060167501A1
• Filed: 01/25/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BioControl Medical (B.C.M) Ltd.
• Inventors: Cohen, Ehud, Ben-David, Tamir, Ben-Ezra, Omry
• Granted Patent: US 8,609,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36121 Production of neurotransmitters; Modulation of genes expression
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36157 Current A61N1/3616 takes precedence

Abstract

A method is provided including selecting a patient suffering from a condition, administering cells to the patient selected from the group consisting of: progenitor cells and genetically-modified cells, applying an electrical current to a site of the patient in a vicinity of nervous tissue, and configuring the current to stimulate the nervous tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

selecting a patient suffering from a condition;

administering cells to the patient selected from the group consisting of;

progenitor cells and genetically-modified cells;

applying an electrical current to a site of the patient in a vicinity of nervous tissue; and

configuring the current to stimulate the nervous tissue.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to enhance a parameter selected from the group consisting of:

a measure of functionality of the cells, an extent to which the cells are directed towards a target tissue, and a level of integration of the cells with a target tissue.

3. The method according to any claim 2, wherein the parameter includes the measure of functionality of the cells, and wherein configuring the current to enhance the parameter comprises configuring the current to decrease a rate of mortality of the cells.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to reduce arrhythmia that may be caused by administration of the cells.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nervous tissue includes parasympathetic nervous tissue, and wherein configuring the current comprises configuring the current to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous tissue.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to reduce inflammation at a cardiac site of the patient.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein administering the cells comprises selecting cells capable of promoting function of a heart of the patient.

33. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises initiating application of the current before administering the cells.

39. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises:

placing a set of one or more electrodes within a body of the patient;

driving the set of electrodes to apply the current;

leaving the set of electrodes in the body for more than 8 weeks following placing the set of electrodes within the body; and

applying the current only within 8 weeks of a time of administering the cells.

42. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises assessing, prior to administering the cells, a response of the patient to the application of the current, and modifying an administration parameter of the administration of the cells in response to the assessment.

155. The method according to claim 1, wherein the condition includes a condition selected from the group consisting of:

myocardial infarct, and heart failure, and wherein selecting the patient comprises selecting the patient suffering from the selected condition.

4-9. -9. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the site includes the vagus nerve, and wherein applying the current comprises applying the current to the vagus nerve.

14-17. -17. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

22-32. -32. (canceled)

34-38. -38. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

43-115. -115. (canceled)

116. A method comprising:

selecting a patient suffering from a condition;

administering cells to the patient selected from the group consisting of;

progenitor cells and genetically-modified cells;

applying an electrical current to a site of the patient in a vicinity of non-cardiac tissue; and

configuring the current to stimulate the non-cardiac tissue.

117. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to enhance a parameter selected from the group consisting of:

a measure of functionality of the cells, an extent to which the cells are directed towards a target tissue, and a level of integration of the cells with a target tissue.

118. The method according to any claim 117, wherein the parameter includes the measure of functionality of the cells, and wherein configuring the current to enhance the parameter comprises configuring the current to decrease a rate of mortality of the cells.

119. The method according to claim 116, wherein the condition includes a condition selected from the group consisting of:

myocardial infarct and heart failure, and wherein selecting the patient comprises selecting the patient suffering from the selected condition.

120. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current does not comprise configuring the current to pace a heart of the patient.

125. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to reduce arrhythmia that may be caused by administration of the cells.

130. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current to reduce inflammation at a cardiac site of the patient.

134. The method according to claim 116, wherein administering the cells comprises selecting cells from the group consisting of:

cells capable of promoting function of a liver of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of a kidney of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of bone marrow of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of skin of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of a digestive system of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of an immune system of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of neural tissue of the patient, cells capable of promoting function of blood vessels of the patient, cells capable of promoting production of blood cells of the patient, and cells capable of promoting growth of hair of the patient.

136. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises initiating application of the current before administering the cells.

142. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises:

placing a set of one or more electrodes within a body of the patient;

driving the set of electrodes to apply the current;

leaving the set of electrodes in the body for more than 8 weeks following placing the set of electrodes within the body; and

applying the current only within 8 weeks of a time of administering the cells.

145. The method according to claim 116, wherein applying the current comprises assessing, prior to administering the cells, a response of the patient to the application of the current, and modifying an administration parameter of the administration of the cells in response to the assessment.

151. The method according to claim 116, wherein administering the cells comprises administering the cells to the non-cardiac tissue.

121-124. -124. (canceled)

126-129. -129. (canceled)

131-133. -133. (canceled)

135. (canceled)

137-141. -141. (canceled)

143. (canceled)

144. (canceled)

146-150. -150. (canceled)

152. A method comprising:

selecting a patient suffering from a condition;

administering cells to the patient selected from the group consisting of;

progenitor cells and genetically-modified cells; and

applying, to tissue at a myocardial site of the patient, an electrical current that does not pace a heart of the patient.

153. The method according to claim 152, wherein applying the current comprises applying the current during a refractory period of the heart.

154. The method according to claim 152, wherein applying the current comprises setting an amplitude of the current to be insufficient to pace the heart.