Method and Devices for Adrenal Stimulation

• US 20100185249A1
• Filed: 01/22/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wingeier, Brett M., Caparso, Anthony, Pless, Benjamin David
• Application Number:
  US12/692,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20100185249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36121 Production of neurotransmitters; Modulation of genes expression

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for delivering therapy from an implanted neurostimulator to a patient are provided. One feature is an implantable stimulation lead comprising at least one electrode. The implantable stimulation lead can be attached to an implanted neurostimulator. The stimulation lead can be implanted at least partially within or on an adrenal gland. The implantable stimulation lead and neurostimulator can apply electrical current to the adrenal gland to treat a pulmonary condition, such as asthma or COPD.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient, comprising:

implanting a stimulation lead comprising an electrode near an adrenal gland of the patient;

implanting a neurostimulator within the patient; and

applying electrical current from the electrode to the adrenal gland to treat a pulmonary condition of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted within a suprarenal vein of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within the inferior vena cava.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within a lower abdomen of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted at a venous access site.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within a retroperitoneal space.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a predefined bias of the stimulation lead anchors and stabilizes the stimulation lead within the adrenal gland.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the predefined bias is a corkscrew geometry.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein a predefined bias of the stimulation lead anchors and stabilizes the stimulation lead within the suprarenal vein.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising tunneling the stimulation lead to the neurostimulator.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising powering and controlling the neurostimulator with an external controller.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted at least partially within the adrenal medulla.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching the stimulation lead to the neurostimulator.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulmonary condition is asthma.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulmonary condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulmonary condition is anaphylactic shock.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein applying electrical current from the electrode to the adrenal gland causes the adrenal gland to release catecholamines.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted at least partially within the adrenal gland.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted on the adrenal gland.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted on one or more neural structures that innervate the adrenal medulla.

21. A method of treating a patient, comprising:

implanting a stimulation lead comprising an electrode at least partially within an adrenal gland of the patient;

implanting a neurostimulator within the patient;

tunneling the stimulation lead to the neurostimulator;

attaching the stimulation lead to the neurostimulator; and

applying electrical current from the electrode to the adrenal gland to treat a pulmonary condition of the patient.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted within a suprarenal vein of the patient.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within the inferior vena cava.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within a lower abdomen of the patient.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted at a venous access site.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within a retroperitoneal space.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein a predefined bias of the stimulation lead anchors and stabilizes the stimulation lead within the adrenal gland.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the predefined bias is a corkscrew geometry.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein a predefined bias of the stimulation lead anchors and stabilizes the stimulation lead within the suprarenal vein.

30. The method of claim 21 further comprising powering and controlling the neurostimulator with an external controller.

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the pulmonary condition is asthma.

32. The method of claim 21 wherein the pulmonary condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

33. The method of claim 21 wherein the pulmonary condition is anaphylactic shock.

34. The method of claim 21 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted at least partially within the adrenal gland.

35. The method of claim 21 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted on the adrenal gland.

36. The method of claim 21 wherein the stimulation lead is implanted on one or more neural structures that innervate the adrenal medulla.