Methods and apparatus for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
- a pulsed electric field generator;
at least one electrode configured for placement proximate a neural fiber that contributes to renal function, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled to the pulsed electric field generator for delivering a pulsed electric field to the neural fiber while the electrode is located proximate the neural fiber and/or is configured to monitor electroporation in tissue exposed to the pulsed electric field; and
a module operatively coupled to the electrode and configured to output data indicative of electroporation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. In some embodiments, tissue impedance, conductance or conductivity may be monitored to determine the effects of pulsed electric field therapy, e.g., to determine an extent of electroporation and its degree of irreversibility. Pulsed electric field electroporation of tissue causes a decrease in tissue impedance and an increase in tissue conductivity. If induced electroporation is reversible, upon cessation of the pulsed electric field, tissue impedance and conductivity should approximate baseline levels; however, if electroporation is irreversible, impedance and conductivity changes should persist. Thus, monitoring of impedance or conductivity may be utilized to determine the onset of electroporation and to determine the type or extent of electroporation. Furthermore, monitoring data may be used in one or more manual or automatic feedback loops to control the electroporation.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
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a pulsed electric field generator;
at least one electrode configured for placement proximate a neural fiber that contributes to renal function, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled to the pulsed electric field generator for delivering a pulsed electric field to the neural fiber while the electrode is located proximate the neural fiber and/or is configured to monitor electroporation in tissue exposed to the pulsed electric field; and
a module operatively coupled to the electrode and configured to output data indicative of electroporation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 50)
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20. A method for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation, the method comprising:
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positioning at least one electrode proximate to a neural fiber that contributes to renal function of a patient;
delivering a pulsed electric field to modulate the neural fiber; and
monitoring electroporation via the electrode in tissue exposed to the pulsed electric field. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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51. Apparatus for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrode configured for placement proximate a neural fiber that contributes to renal function, the at least one electrode configured to deliver a pulsed electric field to the neural fiber and/or to monitor electroporation in tissue exposed to the pulsed electric field; and
a feedback mechanism for altering delivery of the pulsed electric field in response to electroporation monitoring signals sensed by the electrode.
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52. A method for inducing, monitoring and controlling renal neuromodulation, the method comprising:
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positioning at least one electrode proximate to a neural fiber that contributes to renal function of a patient;
delivering a pulsed electric field via the electrode to modulate the neural fiber;
monitoring electroporation in tissue exposed to the pulsed electric field; and
altering delivery of the pulsed electric field in response to monitoring data.
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Specification