Apparatus and method for modulating the baroreflex system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for insertion into a blood vessel and for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal, said apparatus comprising:
- an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located;
at least one electrode connected with said expandable support member and arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors; and
an insulative material attached to at least a portion of said expandable support member and for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by said at least one electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for insertion into a blood vessel and for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal includes an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, and at least one electrode connected with the expandable support member. The at least one electrode is arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors. The apparatus further includes an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support member for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode.
111 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for insertion into a blood vessel and for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal, said apparatus comprising:
- an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located;
at least one electrode connected with said expandable support member and arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors; and
an insulative material attached to at least a portion of said expandable support member and for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by said at least one electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- an expandable support member for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located;
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14. A method for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an expandable support for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, at least one electrode being connected with the expandable support member and arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors, and an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support member for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode;
implanting the expandable support member intravascularly so that at least a portion of the expandable support member is positioned substantially adjacent to a baroreceptor in the vessel wall; and
delivering electric current to the at least one electrode to induce a baroreceptor signal to effect a change in the baroreflex system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
- providing an expandable support for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, at least one electrode being connected with the expandable support member and arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors, and an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support member for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode;
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34. A method for modulating the baroreflex system of a mammal, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second expandable support members, each of the first and second expandable support members for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, the first and second expandable support members having at least one electrode arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors, the first and second expandable support members having an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support members for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode, the first and second expandable support members having at least one magnetic member securely attached thereto;
implanting the first and second expandable support members at first and second intravascular locations so that the first and second expandable support members are positioned substantially adjacent from one another and so that at least a portion of each of the first and second expandable support members is positioned substantially adjacent to a baroreceptor in the vessel wall at each of the first and second intravascular locations; and
generating an electromagnetic current between the first and second expandable support members so that the at least one electrode induces a baroreceptor signal to effect a change in the baroreflex system. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
- providing first and second expandable support members, each of the first and second expandable support members for engaging a wall of a blood vessel at a desired location where baroreceptors are located, the first and second expandable support members having at least one electrode arranged to selectively deliver electric current to modulate the baroreceptors, the first and second expandable support members having an insulative material attached to at least a portion of the expandable support members for isolating blood flowing through the vessel from the electric current delivered by the at least one electrode, the first and second expandable support members having at least one magnetic member securely attached thereto;
Specification