Implantable device for treating epilepsy and cardiac rhythm disorders

• US 20070142871A1
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Libbus, Imad, Kramer, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/362 Heart stimulators heart defibrillators A61N1/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy

Abstract

Various aspects relate to an implantable device. Various device embodiments comprise at least one pulse generator and a controller to communicate with the pulse generator(s). The pulse generator(s) is (are) adapted to deliver a first electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve and to deliver a second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart. The controller includes a module to provide epilepsy therapy that includes delivering the first electrical signal though the at least one electrode proximate to the vagus nerve and a module to provide a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) therapy that includes delivering the second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart. The CRM therapy includes at least one therapy selected from an antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Claims

1. An implantable device, comprising:

at least one pulse generator adapted to deliver a first electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve and to deliver a second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart; and

a controller adapted to communicate with the at least one pulse generator, the controller including a module to provide epilepsy therapy that includes delivering the first electrical signal though the at least one electrode proximate to the vagus nerve and a module to provide a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) therapy that includes delivering the second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart, the CRM therapy including at least one therapy selected from an antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the CRM therapy further includes a pacing therapy.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one therapy includes both the antitachycardia therapy and the CRT.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one therapy only includes the antitachycardia therapy.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the antitachycardia therapy includes an antitachyeardia pacing therapy.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the antitachycardia therapy includes a defibrillation shock.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes at least one electrode positioned proximate to a left vagus nerve.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes at least one electrode positioned proximate to a right vagus nerve.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes at least one electrode positioned proximate to a left vagus nerve and at least one electrode positioned proximate to a right vagus nerve.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes a nerve cuff electrode adapted to stimulate the vagus nerve.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes an intravascular electrode adapted to transvascularly stimulate the vagus nerve from a position within a vessel proximate to the vagus nerve.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the vessel includes an internal jugular vein.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the vessel includes an azygous vein.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the CRT includes myocardial stimulation to provide remodeling control therapy (RCT).

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the CRT further includes neural stimulation to provide anti-remodeling therapy (ART).

16. An implantable device, comprising:

at least one pulse generator adapted to deliver a first electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve and to deliver a second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart; and

a controller adapted to communicate with the at least one pulse generator, the controller including a module to provide epilepsy therapy that includes delivering the first electrical signal though the at least one electrode proximate to the vagus nerve and a module to provide a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) that includes delivering the second electrical signal through at least one electrode positioned within or proximate to the heart.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the CRM therapy further includes at least one therapy selected from a pacing therapy and an antitachycardia therapy.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes a nerve cuff electrode adapted to stimulate the vagus nerve.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrode positioned proximate to a vagus nerve includes an intravascular electrode adapted to transvascularly stimulate the vagus nerve from a position within a vessel proximate to the vagus nerve.

20. An implantable device, comprising:

means for providing epilepsy therapy, including means for applying electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve; and

means for providing at least one therapy selected from a cardiac antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), including means for applying electrical stimulation to myocardial tissue.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the means for providing at least one therapy selected from a cardiac antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) includes means for providing the CRT.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the means for providing at least one therapy selected from a cardiac antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) includes means for providing the cardiac antitachycardia therapy.

23. The device of claim 20, further comprising means for providing a pacing therapy.

24. The device of claim 20, further comprising means for simultaneously providing epilepsy therapy and the at least one therapy selected from the cardiac antitachycardia therapy the CRT.

25. A method of operating an implantable device, comprising:

providing epilepsy therapy, including using the implantable device to deliver an electrical stimulation to a vagus nerve; and

providing a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) therapy, including at least one therapy selected from an antitachycardia therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), wherein providing the CRM therapy includes using the implantable device to deliver an electrical stimulation to capture myocardial tissue.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one therapy includes the CRT.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one therapy includes the antitachycardia therapy.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a pacing therapy using the implantable medical device to deliver an electrical stimulation to capture myocardial tissue.