Electrode structures and methods for their use in cardiovascular reflex control
First Claim
1. A device for mounting over a circumference of a carotid sinus of a patient, the device comprising:
- a base having first and second ends, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and an axial length sufficient to extend around the circumference of the carotid sinus, wherein said base is sufficiently elastic to conform to said circumference as the carotid sinus changes in shape and size with heart pulse;
an axial attachment tab extending in the axial direction from an end of the base;
a transversely angled attachment tab extending transversely from an end of the base at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base when the base is in an unstressed configuration prior to placement about the carotid sinus; and
one or more elongate electrodes connected to the base;
wherein either or both of the axial attachment tab and the transversely angled attachment tab may be wrapped around the carotid sinus or the internal carotid artery and attached to the base or blood vessel to accommodate the shape of the carotid sinus.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device for mounting over a circumference of a carotid sinus of a patient, the device comprising:
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a base having first and second ends, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and an axial length sufficient to extend around the circumference of the carotid sinus, wherein said base is sufficiently elastic to conform to said circumference as the carotid sinus changes in shape and size with heart pulse; an axial attachment tab extending in the axial direction from an end of the base; a transversely angled attachment tab extending transversely from an end of the base at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the base when the base is in an unstressed configuration prior to placement about the carotid sinus; and one or more elongate electrodes connected to the base; wherein either or both of the axial attachment tab and the transversely angled attachment tab may be wrapped around the carotid sinus or the internal carotid artery and attached to the base or blood vessel to accommodate the shape of the carotid sinus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An extravascular electrode assembly comprising:
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a base adapted to be attached over the outside of a blood vessel, said base having an electrode-carrying surface and at least four attachment tabs extending away from the electrode-carrying surface, wherein the base has a longitudinal axis and is sufficiently elastic to conform to a circumference of a blood vessel and wherein at least two tabs are axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base and at least two tabs are angled acutely relative to the longitudinal axis when the base is in an unstressed configuration prior to placement around the blood vessel to permit selective ones of the tabs to be wrapped around the blood vessel while others of the tabs are removed; and an electrode structure on the electrode-carrying surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for wrapping an electrode assembly over carotid sinus, said method comprising:
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providing an electrode assembly comprising an elastic base having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of attachment tabs including at least two tabs aligned axially with the longitudinal axis of the base and two tabs attached to the base at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and at least one electrode sufficiently stretchable to stretch with expansions and contractions of the the carotid sinus with heart pulse secured over a surface of the elastic base; conforming the base over an exterior of the carotid sinus, wherein at least a portion of the electrode assembly can flex and stretch with expansions and contractions of the carotid sinus with heart pulse; and securing ends of the elastic base together and!or to the vessel wall to hold the electrode assembly in place, wherein securing said ends includes wrapping at least two one of said plurality of tabs around the carotid sinus and cutting off the remaining tabs which are not wrapped around the carotid sinus. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification