Cardiac pacing methods

• US 5,991,660 A
• Filed: 06/09/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• 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: Goyal, Rajiva
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/094,199
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 607/14, 607/3, 607/9, 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: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3624 occurring in the atrium, i.e. atrial tachycardia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3629 in combination with non-electric therapy

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, comprising the steps of:

a) providing;

i) a subject whose heart has been sectioned into independent conduction zones, thereby defining a plurality of isolated segments,

ii) a means for stimulating said heart, said means comprising a plurality of pacing leads; and

iii) a P wave measuring means;

b) attaching a pacing lead to each of said isolated segments;

c) stimulating said independent conduction zones with said stimulating means, said stimulating comprising stimulating each of said independent conduction zones in series to define a phase of stimulation; and

d) measuring, with said P wave measuring means, the P wave generated by said stimulating of step c);

e) changing said phase of stimulation of said independent conduction zones; and

f) repeating steps c), d) and e) until the narrowest P wave duration and the greatest P wave amplitude is measured, thereby providing coordinated contraction of both the right and left atria of said heart of said subject.

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

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

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

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

6. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing;

i) a means for stimulating said heart, said means comprising a plurality of pacing leads;

ii) a subject whose heart has been sectioned into independent conduction zones, thereby defining a plurality of isolated segments, each of said segments attached to said stimulating means via said pacing leads; and

iii) a P wave measuring means;

b) stimulating said independent conduction zones with said stimulating means, said stimulating comprising stimulating each of said independent conduction zones in series to define a phase of stimulation; and

c) measuring, with said P wave measuring means, the P wave generated by said stimulating of step b);

d) changing said phase of stimulation of said independent conduction zones; and

e) repeating steps b), c), and d) until the narrowest P wave duration and the greatest P wave amplitude is measured, thereby providing coordinated contraction of both the right and left atria of said heart of said subject.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said heart is sectioned into at least four independent conduction zones.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said means for stimulating said heart comprises at least one electrode and a power source.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said means for stimulating are solid state electrical devices.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said means for stimulating is a pacemaker.

11. A method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing;

i) a means for stimulating said heart, said means comprising a plurality of pacing leads;

ii) a subject whose heart has been sectioned into independent conduction zones, thereby defining a plurality of isolated segments, each of said segments attached to said stimulating means via said pacing leads; and

iii) a pressure measuring means;

b) stimulating said independent conduction zones with said stimulating means, said stimulating comprising stimulating each of said independent conduction zones in series to define a phase of stimulation; and

c) measuring, with said pressure measuring means, the mean pulmonary wedge pressure and mean right atrial pressure of said heart of said subject generated by said stimulating of step b);

d) changing said phase of stimulation of said independent conduction zones; and

e) repeating steps b), c), and d) until the largest mean right atrial and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is measured, thereby providing coordinated contraction of both the right and left atria of said heart of said subject.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said heart is sectioned into at least four independent conduction zones.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said means for stimulating said heart comprises at least one electrode and a power source.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said means for stimulating are solid state electrical devices.

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