Methods of indirectly stimulating the vagus nerve with an electrical field

• US 7,142,910 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emory University
• Original Assignee: Emory University
• Inventors: Puskas, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Application Number:
  US11/015,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2- 3, 607/9
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/138 Aryloxyalkylamines, e.g. propranolol, tamoxifen, phenoxybenzamine atenolol A61K31/165; pindolol A61K31/404; timolol A61K31/5377
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/275 Nitriles; Isonitriles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/277 having a ring, e.g. verapamil
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/44 Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/445 Non condensed piperidines, e.g. piperocaine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/452 Piperidinium derivatives pancuronium A61K31/58
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 41/00 Drugs used in surgical methods, e.g. surgery adjuvants for preventing adhesion or for vitreum substitution
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

Controlled cessation of heart beat during coronary bypass surgery and other cardiac surgeries on a beating heart improves surgical technique, and is achieved typically by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve and administration of a combination of drugs.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

inserting a first electrode into an esophagus of the patient;

inserting a second electrode into a jugular vein of the patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

2. A method of stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient, comprising:

inserting a first electrode into an esophagus of the patient;

placing a second electrode on a neck of the patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

3. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

administering to the patient a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker;

placing at least one electrode on a neck of the patient; and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

4. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

administering to the patient a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker;

inserting at least one electrode in a trachea of the patient; and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

5. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

administering to the patient a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker;

inserting at least one electrode in an esophagus of the patient; and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

6. A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

administering a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker;

inserting at least one electrode in a jugular vein of the patient; and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve.

7. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

inserting a first electrode into an esophagus of a patient;

inserting a second electrode into a jugular vein of a patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

8. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

inserting a first electrode into an esophagus of a patient;

inserting a second electrode on a neck of a patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

9. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

inserting a first electrode on a neck of a patient;

inserting a second electrode into a jugular vein of a patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

10. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

inserting a first electrode into an esophagus of a patient;

inserting a second electrode into an esophagus of a patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

11. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

placing a first electrode on a neck of a patient;

placing a second electrode on a neck of a patient; and

actuating at least one of the electrodes to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

12. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

administering one pharmaceutical composition selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker;

inserting at least one electrode on a neck of a patient; and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates the vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

13. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

administering one pharmaceutical composition selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker,

inserting at least one electrode in a trachea of a patient, and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

14. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

administering one pharmaceutical composition selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker,

inserting at least one electrode in an esophagus of a patient, and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

15. A method for performing beating heart surgery, comprising:

administering one pharmaceutical composition selected from the group consisting of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker,

inserting at least one electrode, in a jugular vein of a patient, and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve during the beating heart surgery.

16. A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

inserting at least one electrode in a jugular vein of a patient, and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve;

in combination with at least one drug, wherein the drug is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, or a calcium channel antagonist.

17. A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

inserting at least one electrode in a jugular vein of a patient, and

actuating the at least one electrode to create an electric field which stimulates a vagus nerve;

in the presence of an effective amount of at least one drug to slow down the heart rate, wherein the drug is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, or a calcium channel antagonist.

18. A composition, comprising an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and a vagus nerve stimulation electrode positioned in at least one location selected from the trachea, esophagus, jugular vein, or on the neck, or some combination thereof.

19. A composition, comprising a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker and a vagus nerve stimulation electrode positioned in at least one location selected from the trachea, esophagus, jugular vein, or on the neck, or some combination thereof.

20. A composition, comprising a calcium channel antagonist and a vagus nerve stimulation electrode positioned in at least one location selected from the trachea, esophagus, jugular vein, or on the neck, or some combination thereof.