Local cardiac motion control using applied electrical signals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
- applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof;
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood; and
mechanically stabilizing the segment in conjunction with applying the electrical signals.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart. Electrical signals are applied to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof, and the procedure is performed while the heart continues to pump blood. Preferably, the motion increases spontaneously after the signals are removed.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof;
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood; and
mechanically stabilizing the segment in conjunction with applying the electrical signals.
-
-
2. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof; and
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood, wherein applying the electrical signals comprises calibrating the signals intermittently during the procedure.
-
-
3. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof; and
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood, wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying a first signal so as to precondition a response of the heart to a subsequent signal, which reduces the motion during the procedure.
-
-
4. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof;
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood; and
sensing motion of the heart, wherein applying the signals comprises modifying a characteristic of at least some of the signals applied to the heart responsive to the sensed motion. - View Dependent Claims (5)
-
-
6. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof; and
performing the procedure while the heart continues to pump blood, wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying signals at a plurality of sites on the heart, and wherein applying the signals comprises applying a first waveform at a first one of the sites and applying a second waveform, which differs from the first waveform, at a second one of the sites. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
one or more electrodes, coupled to the heart;
a control unit, which actuates the electrodes to apply electrical signals to the heart so as to substantially reduce motion of a segment thereof while the heart continues to pump blood, whereby the procedure is performed on the segment; and
one or more motion sensors, coupled to the heart and to the control unit, which sense motion of the heart, wherein the control unit modifies the signals applied to the heart responsive to the motion. - View Dependent Claims (9)
-
-
10. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
one or more electrodes, coupled to the heart;
a control unit, which actuates the electrodes to apply electrical signals to the heart so as to substantially reduce motion of a segment thereof while the heart continues to pump blood, whereby the procedure is performed on the segment; and
one or more fencing electrodes, coupled to the heart, which are actuated by the control unit to apply a fencing signal to the heart so as to block propagation of an activation wave into the segment.
-
-
11. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
one or more electrodes, coupled to the heart; and
a control unit, which actuates the electrodes to apply electrical signals to the heart so as to substantially reduce motion of a segment thereof while the heart continues to pump blood, whereby the procedure is performed on the segment; and
one or more fencing electrodes, coupled to heart tissue in a vicinity of the segment, which are actuated by the control unit to apply a fencing signal to the segment so as to reduce a contraction force thereof.
-
-
12. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:
-
one or more electrodes, coupled to the heart;
a control unit, which actuates the electrodes to apply electrical signals to the heart so as to substantially reduce motion of a segment thereof while the heart continues to pump blood, whereby the procedure is performed on the segment; and
a mechanical stabilizer, which is applied to the heart to restrain motion thereof, in conjunction with motion reduction using the one or more electrodes.
-
-
13. A method for performing a medical procedure on smooth muscle tissue having a tendency to motion, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the tissue so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof, such that the motion increases spontaneously upon removal of the signals; and
performing the procedure while the motion is reduced.
-
-
14. A method for performing a medical procedure on skeletal muscle tissue having a tendency to motion, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the tissue so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof, such that the motion increases spontaneously upon removal of the signals; and
performing the procedure while the motion is reduced.
-
-
15. A method for performing a medical procedure on muscle tissue having a tendency to motion, comprising:
-
applying electrical signals to the tissue so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof, such that the motion increases spontaneously upon removal of the signals; and
performing the procedure while the motion is reduced, wherein performing the procedure comprises performing a diagnostic procedure.
-
Specification