Electrical Stimulation of Blood Vessels

• US 20080215117A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enopace Biomedical Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Rainbow Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi
• Granted Patent: US 8,862,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/856 Single tubular stent with a side portal passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0004 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings

Abstract

Apparatus (20) is provided, including a bifurcation stent (50) comprising one or more electrodes (32), the stent (50) configured to be placed in a primary passage (52) and a secondary passage (54) of a blood vessel (30), and a control unit (34), configured to drive the electrodes (32) to apply a signal to a wall (36) of the blood vessel (30), and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall (36). Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a bifurcation stent comprising one or more electrodes, the stent configured to be placed in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel; and

a control unit, configured to drive the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel, and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.

2-4. -4. (canceled)

5. Apparatus for applying counterpulsation to an artery of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be inserted into the artery; and

a control unit, configured to;

drive the electrodes to apply a systolic electrical signal to a wall of the artery during at least a portion of systole,

configure the systolic signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall, and

withhold driving the electrodes to apply the systolic signal to the wall during at least a portion of diastole.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a physiological sensor, which is configured to generate a sensor signal, wherein the control unit is configured to set at least one parameter of the systolic signal responsively to the sensor signal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to begin application of the systolic signal slightly prior to a commencement of systole.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to begin application of the systolic signal less than 50 ms prior to a commencement of systole.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the systolic signal to have an amplitude of between 1 and 10 mA.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the systolic signal to have a frequency of less than 30 Hz.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrodes to apply a diastolic electrical signal to the wall during at least a portion of diastole, and to configure the diastolic signal to enhance constriction of the artery during diastole.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure a diastolic value of a parameter of the diastolic signal to be between 1.5 and 4 times a systolic value of the parameter of the systolic signal, the parameter selected from the group consisting of:

an amplitude, and a frequency.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the diastolic signal to have an amplitude of between 5 and 20 mA.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the diastolic signal to have a frequency of between 15 and 100 Hz.

15. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising an element configured to mechanically dilate the aorta during at least a portion of systole.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the element is configured to be placed at least partially in the aorta.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the element is configured to be placed at least partially outside the aorta.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the element is configured to serve as at least one of the one or more electrodes.

86. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the artery includes a coronary artery of the subject and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to be inserted into the coronary artery.

87. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the artery includes an aorta of the subject and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to be inserted into the aorta.

88. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, at least one time, the control unit is configured to drive only a portion of the electrodes.

89. The apparatus according to claim 88, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the electrodes in a sequence by time dividing the activation of the electrodes.

137. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured drive the electrodes to apply a biphasic systolic signal

138. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to apply a biphasic diastolic signal.

139. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an element configured to mechanically dilate the aorta.

140. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element is configured to be placed at least partially in the aorta.

141. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element is configured to be placed at least partially outside the aorta.

142. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element is configured to serve as at least one of the one or more electrodes.

143. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a magnet.

144. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a coil.

145. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a piezoelectric element.

146. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element is configured to dilate the blood vessel using electricity.

147. The apparatus according to claim 139, wherein the element is configured to dilate the blood vessel using hydraulic pressure.

19. Apparatus comprising an artificial artery configured to assume a first cross-sectional shape during a first phase of a cardiac cycle, and a second cross-sectional shape during a second phase of the cardiac cycle.

20-24. -24. (canceled)

25. Apparatus for treating an eye of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

one or more electrodes, configured to be placed at least partially in the eye; and

a control unit, configured to treat the eye by driving the electrodes to apply an electrical signal to the eye that induces production of nitric oxide (NO).

26-32. -32. (canceled)

33. Apparatus for application to a blood vessel of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

one or more electrodes, configured to be placed in or outside the blood vessel in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, such that the electrodes are in electrical communication with the blood vessel; and

a control unit, configured to drive the electrodes to apply an electrical signal to the blood vessel, and to configure the signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by a wall of the blood vessel sufficiently to cause dilation of the wall, thereby activating the baroreceptor.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, comprising an element configured to mechanically dilate the blood vessel in the vicinity of the baroreceptor.

35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the electrodes are configured to apply mechanical force to the wall that is sufficient to change a shape of the wall.

36. The apparatus according to claim 33, comprising a sensor configured to sense a feature of a cardiac cycle of the subject and to output a sensor signal responsively thereto, and wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to apply the signal responsively to the sensor signal.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the control unit is configured to apply the signal during at least a portion of systole, and to withhold applying the signal during at least a portion of diastole.

38. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the electrodes are configured to be placed in the blood vessel, and are shaped so as to define springy rib-shaped elements.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, comprising one or more piezoelectric elements positioned in direct or indirect mechanical contact with the rib-shaped elements, wherein the apparatus is configured such that pulsing of the blood vessel causes the piezoelectric elements to generate power, and wherein the control unit is configured to use the power to drive the electrodes to apply the signal.

90. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the blood vessel includes a carotid artery of the subject, and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to be placed in or outside of the carotid artery in the vicinity of the baroreceptor.

91. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the blood vessel includes an aorta of the subject, and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to be placed in or outside of the aorta in the vicinity of the baroreceptor.

92. The apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a plaque removal device which is configured to increase flexibility of the blood vessel in the vicinity by removing plaque from the artery.

93. The apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a sensor configured to sense a blood pressure of the subject and to output a sensor signal responsively thereto, and wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to apply the signal responsively to the sensor signal.

94. The apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising an element which is configured to facilitate an assumption of an elliptical shape by the blood vessel in the vicinity, during diastole of the subject.

95. The apparatus according to claim 94, wherein the element comprises the one or more electrodes, and wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to facilitate the assumption of the elliptical shape by the blood vessel in the vicinity, during diastole of the subject.

96. The apparatus according to claim 94, wherein the element is configured to be placed within the blood vessel.

97. The apparatus according to claim 94, wherein the element is configured to be implanted outside of the blood vessel.

98. The apparatus according to claim 94, wherein the element comprises a spring.

99. The apparatus according to claim 94, wherein the element comprises at least one of the electrodes.

100. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a magnet.

101. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a coil.

102. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the element configured to dilate the blood vessel comprises a piezoelectric element.

103. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the element is configured to dilate the blood vessel using electricity.

104. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the element is configured to dilate the blood vessel using hydraulic pressure.

105. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to apply the signal during intermittent heartbeats.

40. A method comprising:

placing a bifurcation stent including one or more electrodes in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel;

driving the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel; and

configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.

41-43. -43. (canceled)

44. A method for applying counterpulsation to an artery of a subject, the method comprising:

applying a systolic electrical signal to a wall of the artery during at least a portion of systole;

configuring the systolic signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall; and

withholding applying the systolic signal to the wall during at least a portion of diastole.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein applying the systolic signal comprises sensing a physiological parameter of the subject, and setting at least one parameter of the systolic signal responsively to the sensed physiological parameter.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein applying the systolic signal comprises beginning applying the systolic signal less than 50 ms prior to a commencement of systole.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein applying the systolic signal comprises configuring the systolic signal to have an amplitude of between 1 and 10 mA.

48. The method according to claim 44, applying the systolic signal comprises configuring the systolic signal to have a frequency of less than 30 Hz.

49. The method according to claim 44, comprising applying a diastolic electrical signal to the wall during at least a portion of diastole, and configuring the diastolic signal to enhance constriction of the artery during diastole.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein applying the diastolic signal comprises configuring a diastolic value of a parameter of the diastolic signal to be between 1.5 and 4 times a systolic value of the parameter of the systolic signal, the parameter selected from the group consisting of:

an amplitude, and a frequency.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein applying the diastolic signal comprises configuring the diastolic signal to have an amplitude of between 5 and 20 mA.

52. The method according to claim 49, applying the diastolic signal comprises configuring the diastolic signal to have a frequency of between 15 and 100 Hz.

53. The method according to claim 44, comprising mechanically dilating the aorta during at least a portion of systole.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein mechanically dilating comprises mechanically dilating the aorta from within the aorta.

55. The method according to claim 53, wherein mechanically dilating comprises mechanically dilating the aorta from outside the aorta.

133. The method according to claim 44, wherein the artery includes a coronary artery of the subject and wherein applying the systolic electrical signal to the wall of the artery comprises applying the systolic electrical signal to a wall of the coronary artery.

134. The method according to claim 44, wherein the artery includes an aorta of the subject and wherein applying the systolic electrical signal to the wall of the artery comprises applying the systolic electrical signal to a wall of the aorta.

135. The method according to claim 44, wherein applying the systolic electrical signal comprises applying the systolic electrical signal through a plurality of electrodes, and, at least one time, applying the systolic electrical signal via a first portion of the electrodes and not via a second portion of the electrodes.

136. The method according to claim 135, wherein applying the systolic electrical signal comprises activating a set electrodes in a sequence by time dividing the activation of the electrodes.

151. The method according to claim 44, wherein applying the systolic electrical signal comprises applying a biphasic systolic signal.

152. The method according to claim 49, wherein applying the diastolic electrical signal comprises applying a biphasic diastolic signal.

153. The method according to claim 44, further comprising mechanically dilating the aorta.

154. The method according to claim 153, wherein mechanically dilating the aorta comprises mechanically dilating the aorta from within the aorta.

155. The method according to claim 153, wherein mechanically dilating the aorta comprises mechanically dilating the aorta from outside the aorta.

156. The method according to claim 153, wherein mechanically dilating the aorta comprises mechanically dilating the aorta using an electrode.

157. The method according to claim 153, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a magnet.

158. The method according to claim 153, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a coil.

159. The method according to claim 153, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a piezoelectric element.

160. The method according to claim 153, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel using electricity.

161. The method according to claim 153, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel using hydraulic pressure.

56. A method comprising:

providing an artificial artery configured to assume a first cross-sectional shape during a first phase of a cardiac cycle, and a second cross-sectional shape during a second phase of the cardiac cycle; and

grafting the artificial artery to a natural artery of the subject.

57-62. -62. (canceled)

63. A method for treating a subject, comprising:

identifying that the subject suffers from a condition of an eye; and

treating the eye condition by inducing production of nitric oxide (NO) in the eye by applying an electrical signal to the eye.

64-70. -70. (canceled)

71. A method comprising:

applying an electrical signal to a blood vessel of a subject in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject; and

activating the baroreceptor by configuring the signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by a wall of the blood vessel sufficiently to cause dilation of the wall.

72. The method according to claim 71, comprising mechanically dilating the blood vessel in the vicinity of the baroreceptor.

73. The method according to claim 71, wherein applying the signal comprises sensing a feature of a cardiac cycle of the subject, and applying the signal responsively to the sensed feature.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal during at least a portion of systole, and withholding applying the signal during at least a portion of diastole.

106. The method according to claim 71, wherein the blood vessel includes a carotid artery of the subject and applying the electrical signal to the blood vessel comprises applying the electrical signal to the carotid artery.

107. The method according to claim 71, wherein the blood vessel includes an aorta of the subject and applying the electrical signal to the blood vessel comprises applying the electrical signal to the aorta.

108. The method according to claim 71, further comprising increasing flexibility of the blood vessel in the vicinity of the baroreceptor by removing plaque from the blood vessel in the vicinity.

109. The method according to claim 71, wherein applying the signal comprises sensing a blood pressure of the subject and applying the signal responsively to the sensed blood pressure.

110. The method according to claim 71, further comprising coupling an element to the blood vessel, wherein the coupling of the element to the blood vessel facilitates an assumption of an elliptical shape by the blood vessel in the vicinity, during diastole of the subject.

111. The method according to claim 110, wherein coupling the element to the blood vessel comprises placing the element within the blood vessel.

112. The method according to claim 110, wherein coupling the element to the blood vessel comprises implanting the element outside of the blood vessel.

113. The method according to claim 110, wherein the element includes a spring and coupling the element to the blood vessel comprises coupling the spring to the blood vessel.

114. The method according to claim 110, wherein the element includes an electrode, and wherein coupling the element to the blood vessel comprises coupling the electrode to the blood vessel.

115. The method according to claim 72, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a magnet.

116. The method according to claim 72, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a coil.

117. The method according to claim 72, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel with a piezoelectric element.

118. The method according to claim 72, wherein dilating the blood vessel comprises dilating the blood vessel using electricity.

119. The method according to claim 72, wherein dilating the blood vessel 30 comprises dilating the blood vessel using hydraulic pressure.

120. The method according to claim 73, wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal during intermittent heartbeats.

75. A method comprising:

implanting an artificial blood vessel in a subject;

applying an electrical signal to the artificial blood vessel; and

configuring the signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by endothelial cells that grow in a lumen of the artificial blood vessel.

76-79. -79. (canceled)

80. A method for deriving a blood vessel from stem cells, comprising:

inducing the stem cells to differentiate into the blood vessel;

applying an electrical signal to at least one cell selected from the group consisting of;

one of the stem cells, a cell of the blood vessel as the blood vessel is being derived, and a cell of the blood vessel after the blood vessel has been derived; and

configuring the signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the selected at least one cell.

81-83. -83. (canceled)

84. A method comprising:

identifying buildup of plaque on a wall of a blood vessel of a subject as being in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject; and

increasing flexibility of the artery in the vicinity by removing the plaque from the artery.

85. (canceled)

121. A method for activating a baroreceptor of a subject, comprising:

coupling an element having an elliptical cross-section to a blood vessel of the subject in a vicinity of the baroreceptor, by implanting the element; and

activating the baroreceptor by facilitating, with the elliptical-shaped element, an assumption of an elliptical shape by the blood vessel in a vicinity of the baroreceptor, during diastole of the subject.

122. The method according to claim 121, wherein the blood vessel includes a carotid artery of the subject and coupling the element comprises coupling the element to the carotid artery.

123. The method according to claim 121, wherein the blood vessel includes an aorta of the subject and coupling the element comprises coupling the element to the aorta.

124. The method according to claim 121, wherein implanting the element comprises placing the element within the blood vessel.

125. The method according to claim 121, wherein implanting the element comprises implanting the element outside of the blood vessel.

126. The method according to claim 121, wherein the element includes a spring and implanting the element comprises coupling the spring to the blood vessel.

127. Apparatus for activating a baroreceptor of a subject, comprising:

an implantable elliptical shaped element which is configured to facilitate an assumption of an elliptical shape by a blood vessel in a vicinity of the baroreceptor of the subject, during diastole of the subject.

128. The apparatus according to claim 127, wherein the blood vessel includes a carotid artery of the subject, and wherein the element is configured to facilitate an assumption of an elliptical shape by the carotid artery in the vicinity of the baroreceptor, during diastole.

129. The apparatus according to claim 127, wherein the blood vessel includes an aorta of the subject, and wherein the element is configured to facilitate an assumption of an elliptical shape by the aorta in the vicinity of the baroreceptor, during diastole.

130. The apparatus according to claim 127, wherein the element is configured to be placed within the blood vessel.

131. The apparatus according to claim 127, wherein the element is configured to be implanted outside of the blood vessel.

132. The apparatus according to claim 127, wherein the element comprises a spring.

148. Apparatus comprising:

one or more electrodes configured to be placed on a wall of a blood vessel; and

a control unit, configured to reduce platelet aggregation in a vicinity of the blood vessel wall by driving the electrodes to apply a signal to the blood vessel wall and by configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.

149. Apparatus comprising:

one or more electrodes configured to be placed in a vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation; and

a control unit, configured to drive the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel in the vicinity, and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.

150. The apparatus according to claim 149, wherein the control unit is configured to reduce platelet aggregation in the vicinity of the bifurcation by increasing the NO secretion.

162. A method comprising:

placing one or more electrodes inside a blood vessel;

driving the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel; and

reducing platelet aggregation inside the blood vessel by configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.

163. A method comprising:

placing one or more electrodes in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel;

driving the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel; and

reducing platelet aggregation inside the blood vessel by configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (no) secretion by the wall.