Device and method for treating disorders of the cardiovascular system or heart

• US 20080188904A1
• Filed: 04/08/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RMX, LLC (ASHINC Corp.)
• Original Assignee: RMX, LLC (ASHINC Corp.)
• Inventors: Province, Rose, Tehrani, Amir J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3621 for treating or preventing abnormally high heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy

Abstract

A device and method are provided to treat heart failure by stimulating to cause diaphragm contraction.

Claims

1. A method of treating heart failure comprising:

electrically stimulating a subject to cause diaphragm contraction to inhibit onset of a subsequent inspiration to thereby reduce respiration rate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating to augment inspiration.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises detecting onset of a breath and then electrically stimulating.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating at a beginning portion of an inspiration cycle.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating at an end portion of an inspiration cycle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating to increase tidal volume.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating to increase functional residual capacity.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating to slow exhalation.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises electrically stimulating during a subject'"'"'s sleep cycle.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises providing a low energy stimulation.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises pacing breathing.

12. A method for treating a subject with heart failure comprising electrically stimulating a subject to cause diaphragm contraction to thereby reduce intrathoracic pressure wherein the step of electrically stimulating comprises providing a low level of stimulation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein a single hemidiaphragm is stimulated by the electrical stimulation.

14. A method for treating a subject with a low resting lung volume comprising:

providing a low level electrical stimulation to elicit a diaphragm contraction wherein the diaphragm contraction results in a more optimal patient pressure and volume to thereby reduce respiratory effort.