System for neural control of respiration

• US 20060282131A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kwok, Jonathan, Lee, Kent, Brooke, M. Jason, Libbus, Imad, Caparso, Anthony, Pu, Yachuan
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362

Abstract

A system, device and method for neural control of respiration are provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an implantable medical device for sensing and controlling respiration during incidence of central respiratory diseases. According to various embodiments, the device includes a sensing circuit to receive sensed signals representative of an incidence of a central respiratory disease. The device also includes a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals, and a controller to communicate with the sensing circuit and to control the neural stimulator to stimulate a desired neural target in response to the detection of the incidence of a central respiratory disease. In an embodiment, the device includes a plurality of sensors which are adapted to monitor physiological parameters to detect the incidence of a central respiratory disease and to send signals to the sensing circuit. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:

a sensing circuit to receive sensed signals representative of an incidence of a central respiratory disease;

a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals; and

a controller to communicate with the sensing circuit and to control the neural stimulator to stimulate a desired neural target in response to a detected incidence of a central respiratory disease.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate chemoreceptors to treat central respiratory disease.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate mechanoreceptors to treat central respiratory disease.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate a vagal nerve to treat central respiratory disease.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate a glossopharyngeal nerve to treat central respiratory disease.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate a phrenic nerve to treat central respiratory disease.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate respiratory centers in a brain to treat central respiratory disease.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is adapted to stimulate a diaphragm muscle to treat central respiratory disease.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the sensed signals include signals representative of neural activity for chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors.

10. A system, comprising:

at least one neural stimulation lead having at least one electrode;

at least one sensor adapted to monitor physiological parameters to detect the incidence of a central respiratory disease; and

an implantable medical device, coupled to the at least one lead and to the at least one sensor, the implantable device including;

a sensing circuit to receive sensed signals representative of an incidence of a central respiratory disease;

a neural stimulator adapted to generate neural stimulation signals; and

a controller to communicate with the sensing circuit and to control the neural stimulator to stimulate a desired neural target in response to a detected incidence of a central respiratory disease.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the implantable medical device is adapted to provide cardiac rhythm management therapy.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor neural activity of chemoreceptors.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor neural activity of mechanoreceptors.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor body movement.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor heart rate.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor QT interval.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor eye movement.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor respiration rate.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor transthoracic impedance.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor tidal volume.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor minute ventilation.

22. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor blood gas levels.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to monitor body temperature.

24. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor external to a human body.

25. A system, comprising:

means for sensing at least one physiological parameter to detect an incidence of disordered breathing; and

means for delivering neural stimulation therapy to mimic normal chemoreceptor and mechanoreceptor activity, based on the at least one sensed physiological parameters.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for delivering neural stimulation therapy includes a nerve cuff electrode.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for delivering neural stimulation therapy includes a transvascular stimulation lead.

28. A method, comprising:

sensing one or more physiological parameters to detect an incidence of a central respiratory disease;

comparing the sensed parameters to a desired value range for the sensed parameters; and

delivering neural stimulation therapy to mimic normal chemoreceptor and mechanoreceptor activity, if one or more of the sensed parameters is not within the desired range.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

delivering neural stimulation therapy to an alternative target if a feedback signal is not available.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

applying a preprogrammed stimulation signal if a feedback signal is not available.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

adjusting parameters of delivered stimulation signals if a first neural stimulation is ineffective.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

delivering neural stimulation therapy to an alternative target if stimulating a first neural target is ineffective.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein delivering neural stimulation therapy includes stimulation of intercostals muscles to treat central respiratory disease.