Methods and Devices for Adrenal Stimulation

• US 20100305664A1
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: McLaughlin, Margaret, Wingeier, Brett M., Caparso, Anthony V., Pless, Benjamin David
• Application Number:
  US12/791,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20100305664A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0507 Electrodes for the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• 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

An implantable medical device is provided for the treatment of a variety of disorders. The implantable medical device can be a neurostimulator having a stimulation lead and electrode(s) configured to be implanted on or near neural tissue in communication with the adrenal gland. Application of an electrical waveform to the neural tissue can cause the adrenal gland to release catecholamines to treat hypoglycemia. In other embodiments, chemical, magnetic, optical, or mechanical neuromodulation can be used.

Claims

1. A method of treating a disorder, comprising:

placing a stimulation lead on neural tissue in communication with an adrenal gland; and

delivering an electrical waveform from a neurostimulator to the stimulation lead to release catecholamines from the adrenal gland to treat hypoglycemia.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or in an inferior vena cava.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or in a left or right renal vein.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or in a left or right suprarenal vein.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or in an inferior phrenic vein.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead comprises a coiled shape.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead comprises at least one electrode.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or near a thoracic sympathetic trunk.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or near a splanchnic nerve.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted in a lower abdomen of the patient.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the stimulation lead is tunneled from a venous access site to the neurostimulator.

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

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurostimulator is implanted within a vessel.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivering step further comprises delivering the electrical waveform from the neurostimulator to the stimulation lead by positioning an external controller in close proximity to the neurostimulator.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead comprises a neural cuff configured to stimulate nerves innervating the adrenal gland.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the neural cuff is approximately 12 to 25 mm in length.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the neural cuff has an internal diameter that corresponds with an external diameter of a renal artery.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the neural cuff comprises electrodes that extend along an inner circumference for at least 270 degrees.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead is placed around an adrenal cortex and is configured to stimulate an adrenal medulla.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the stimulation lead has a geometry resembling a Y and comprises at least one electrode.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the stimulation lead comprises penetrating elements configured to penetrate the cortex of the adrenal gland.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation lead comprises a net configured to at least partially surround the adrenal gland.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the net comprises a plurality of flexible spines configured to allow the net to retain its shape upon deployment around the adrenal gland.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the net further comprises a drawstring configured to secure the net around the adrenal gland.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the stimulation lead comprises at least one electrode.

26. A method of treating a disorder in a patient, comprising:

placing a stimulation lead on neural tissue in communication with an adrenal gland;

measuring a glucose level of the patient with a continuous glucose monitor; and

automatically applying an electrical waveform from the stimulation lead to the neural tissue when the glucose level is low to release catecholamines from the adrenal gland to treat hypoglycemia.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the stimulation lead comprises at least one electrode.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or near a thoracic sympathetic trunk.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the stimulation lead is placed on or near a splanchnic nerve.

30. The method of claim 26 further comprising monitoring a heart rate of the patient with a cardiac monitor.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the electrical waveform is automatically applied based on the glucose level and the monitored heart rate of the patient.

32. A system for stimulating an adrenal gland, comprising:

a continuous glucose monitor configured to measure a patient glucose level;

a stimulation lead; and

an adrenal stimulator in communication with the continuous glucose monitor and the stimulation lead, the adrenal stimulator configured to apply an electrical waveform to the stimulation lead in response to the measured patient glucose level.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising a cardiac monitor configured to measure a cardiac parameter.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the stimulation lead comprises a coiled shape.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein the stimulation lead is sized and configured to be implanted on neural tissue in communication with an adrenal gland.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein the stimulation lead is a neural cuff.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein the stimulation lead is a sac.

38. The system of claim 32 wherein the stimulation lead comprises at least one electrode.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the adrenal stimulator is in radio communication with the continuous glucose monitor.