Method for treating abnormal arial or ventricular activity

• US 5,836,985 A
• Filed: 09/18/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rajiva Goyal
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Dassel, Mark W., Vassiliou, Eustathios, DeCoster, David C., Rostami, Ader M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,785
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 607/9, 607/14, 607/5
• US Class Current: 607/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3624 occurring in the atrium, i.e. atrial tachycardia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence

Abstract

The described method of treatment relates to the field of cardiovascular disease and is a cure for various forms of heart fibrillation. The method consists of sectioning the heart into independent conduction zones such that electrical communication between the zones is terminated. The communication between the zones is then reestablished in such a manner as to restore normal heart rhythm, by way of a pacing mechanism, thereby eliminating the fibrillation.

Claims

1. A method for treating irregular heart activity, comprising the steps of:

a. providing;

i) a subject having a heart,

ii) a means for sectioning said heart, and

iii) a means for stimulating said heart;

b. sectioning said heart into independent conduction zones with said means for sectioning; and

c. stimulating said independent conduction zones with said means for stimulating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said subject suffers from cardiac disease.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said heart has symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for sectioning said heart is by catheter ablation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said catheter ablation is performed with radiofrequency energy.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said catheter ablation forms curvilinear lesions onto said heart.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for sectioning said heart is non-invasive.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said heart is sectioned into at least two said independent conduction zones.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for stimulating said heart comprises at least one electrode and a power source.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for stimulating are solid state electrical devices.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for stimulating is a pacemaker.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprises the placement of said stimulating means internally in said subject.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulating means is attached to the surface of said heart.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulating means automatically varies the amount of stimulation depending on physiologic conditions.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said means for stimulating said heart are solid state electrical devices.

16. A method for treating irregular heart activity, comprising the steps of:

a. providing;

i) a subject having a heart,

ii) a means for sectioning said heart,

iii) a means for stimulating said heart, and

iv) a catheter;

b. sectioning said heart into independent conduction zones by catheter ablation;

c. implanting said stimulating means with said catheter;

d. stimulating said independent conduction zones with said means for stimulating.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said subject suffers from cardiac disease.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said heart has symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said catheter ablation is performed with radiofrequency energy.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said catheter ablation forms curvilinear lesions onto said heart.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said means for sectioning said heart is non-invasive.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said heart is sectioned into at least two said independent conduction zones.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said means for stimulating said heart comprises at least one electrode and a power source.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein said means for stimulating are solid state electrical devices.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein said means for stimulating is a pacemaker.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprises the placement of said stimulating means internally in said subject.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein said stimulating means is attached to the surface of said heart.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein said stimulating means automatically varies the amount of stimulation depending on physiologic conditions.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein said means for stimulating said heart are solid state electrical devices.