Method of controlling blood pressure

• US 7,765,008 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Mika, Yuval, Shemer, Isaac, Fenster, Maier, Felzen, Bella, Darvish, Nissim
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US11/932,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 607/44, 600/485
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/20 continuous direct currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Claims

1. A method of controlling blood pressure, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one blood vessel; and

applying the local electric field to the at least one blood vessel responsive to a subjective evaluation of blood pressure by a subject in whom the electrodes have been provided.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying in response to an input from an external control operated by said subject.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising preventing the subject from adjusting blood pressure beyond defined limits using a fail-safe cutoff.

4. A method according to claim 1, comprising collecting blood pressure data using at least one blood pressure sensor and analyzing the blood pressure data and performing said applying in accord with the analysis.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said applying comprises applying automated closed loop blood pressure control.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local electric field comprises an inhibitory electric field configured to relax the at least one blood vessel.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local electric field comprises an excitatory electric field configured to constrict the at least one blood vessel.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blood vessel includes at least one vessel selected from the group consisting of an abdominal vein and an aorta.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the subjective evaluation includes at least one feeling selected from the group consisting of dizziness, headache, lightheadedness and nausea.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the subjective evaluation includes at least one feeling selected from the group consisting of dizziness and pain.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blood vessel comprises a large artery.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blood vessel comprises a large vein.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing at least one electrode comprises implanting at least one electrode in a vessel.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing at least one electrode comprises providing a net-type electrode.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing at least one electrode comprises providing an elongate electrode.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises selecting which blood vessel to which to apply said local electric field.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying an electric field to a plurality of blood vessels in response to said evaluation.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises increasing a force of contraction of said at least one blood vessel by said applying.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying in conjunction with a cardiac controller controlling a heart activity of said subject.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying in synchronization with an ECG signal.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying a non-excitatory electric field.