METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THERMALLY-INDUCED RENAL NEUROMODULATION
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and system are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. In some embodiments, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation is achieved via delivery of a pulsed thermal therapy.
-
Citations
166 Claims
-
1-117. -117. (canceled)
-
118. A method for thermally inducing neuromodulation, the method comprising:
-
positioning an electrode within a patient; determining a tissue site suitable for treatment; delivering energy via the electrode to a neural structure of the patient proximate to or within the tissue site; increasing the energy delivered to the electrode to a predetermined first power level over a first period of time; maintaining the energy delivered to the electrode at the first power level for a second period of time after reaching the first power level; measuring a temperature value related to the patient or the electrode; and if the temperature value is less than a preset threshold temperature, then increasing the energy delivered to the electrode until a maximum power threshold is reached or an interlock condition is satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146)
-
-
147. A method for controlling energy delivery via an electrode positioned proximate to a wall of a patient'"'"'s body lumen, the method comprising:
-
increasing energy delivery to a predetermined first power level over a first period of time; maintaining energy delivery at a desired power level for a second period of time after reaching the first power level; measuring a temperature related to the wall of the body lumen; deriving an average temperature based on the measured temperature during the second period of time; and if the average temperature is less than a preset threshold temperature, then increasing energy delivery from the first power level to a second power level. - View Dependent Claims (148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162)
-
-
163. A method for creating a lesion in a target tissue layer, wherein a first tissue layer is between a blood vessel wall and the target tissue layer, the method comprising:
-
irradiating the target tissue layer and the first tissue layer through the blood vessel wall with energy; and creating a first thermal effect in the first tissue layer and a second thermal effect in the target tissue layer, wherein the second thermal effect is greater than the first thermal effect. - View Dependent Claims (164, 165)
-
-
166. A method for creating a lesion in a target tissue adjacent to a peripheral blood vessel, the method comprising:
-
delivering an electrode to a location within the blood vessel; placing the electrode in contact with a wall of the blood vessel; irradiating the target tissue through the blood vessel wall with energy, wherein the energy is irradiated at a power level and for a time sufficient to create a lesion in the target tissue.
-
Specification