Stimulus regimens for cardiovascular reflex control

• US 7,840,271 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Inventors: Keith, Peter T., Serdar, David J., Persson, Bruce J., Kieval, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oropeza; Frances P
• Application Number:
  US11/186,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20050251212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,952 Days
• Field of Search: 600/373, 600/377, 600/509, 607/2, 607/44, 607/116, 607/118
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods 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, for example a baroreceptor 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.

Claims

1. A method of inducing a baroreceptor signal to effect a change in the baroreflex system in a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a baroreceptor activation device including a first means for outputting an electrical signal to electrically induce a baroreceptor signal and a second means for outputting an electrical signal to electrically induce a baroreceptor signal, the first means for outputting an electrical signal adapted to be positioned proximate a first baroreceptor location and the second means for outputting an electrical signal adapted to be positioned proximate a second baroreceptor location; and

alternating the electrical signal between the first means for outputting and the second means for outputting to promote long term efficacy of inducing baroreceptor signals and reduce exposure of a single baroreceptor location.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the electrical signal comprises a series of pulses, and wherein the step of causing the electrical signals to be changed further comprises causing a pulse characteristic of the electrical signal to be changed, the pulse characteristic selected from the group consisting of pulse amplitude, pulse frequency, pulse width, pulse waveform, pulse waveform, and pulse phase.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the step of causing the electrical signals to be changed further comprises causing the pulse characteristic to be changed between the two or more means for outputting.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the electrical signal comprises a pulse train, and wherein the step of causing the electrical signals to be changed further comprises causing a pulse train characteristic of the electrical signal to be changed, the pulse train characteristic selected from the group consisting of burst amplitude, burst waveform, burst frequency, and burst width.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein the step of causing the electrical signals to be changed further comprises causing the pulse train characteristic to be changed between the two or more means for outputting.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein providing a baroreceptor activation device comprises providing an extravascular baroreceptor activation device.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein providing a baroreceptor activation device comprises providing an intravascular baroreceptor activation device.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein providing a baroreceptor activation device including two or more means for each outputting an electrical signal comprises providing a baroreceptor activation device including two or more contact points on a single electrode.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein causing the electrical signals of the at least two means for each outputting to be changed relative to one another comprises alternating the electrical signals among the at least two means for each outputting.

10. A system for inducing a baroreceptor signal to effect a change in the baroreflex system in a patient, the system comprising:

a baroreceptor activation device including a first means for outputting adapted to be implanted proximate a first baroreceptor location, and a second means for outputting adapted to be positioned proximate a second baroreceptor location, such that activation of the baroreceptor activation device induces a baroreceptor signal in the patient; and

a control system connected to the baroreceptor activation device, the control system including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes software defining a stimulus regimen, the control system generating a control signal that activates one of the first means for outputting or the second means for outputting of the baroreceptor activation device as a function of the stimulus regimen, the stimulus regimen causing the control signal to be changed to promote long term efficacy of inducing baroreceptor signals and reduce exposure of a single baroreceptor location by alternating the control signal between the first means for outputting and the second means for outputting.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein the baroreceptor activation device comprises an extravascular baroreceptor activation device.

12. A system as in claim 10, wherein the baroreceptor activation device comprises an intravascular baroreceptor activation device.

13. A system as in claim 10, wherein the stimulus regimen is configured to cause the control signal to be changed to promote long term efficacy of inducing baroreceptor signals by alternating the control signal among the at least two means for outputting.

14. A method of inducing a baroreceptor signal to effect a change in the baroreflex system in a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a baroreceptor activation device including a first means for outputting an electrical signal to electrically induce a baroreceptor signal and a second means for outputting an electrical signal to electrically induce a baroreceptor signal, providing instructions for operating the baroreflex activation device, comprising;

implanting the baroreceptor activation device such that the first means for outputting an electrical signal is proximate a first baroreceptor location in the patient and the second means for outputting an electrical signal is proximate a second baroreceptor location;

alternating the electrical signal between the first means for outputting and the second means for outputting to promote long term efficacy of inducing baroreceptor signals and reduce exposure of a single baroreceptor location.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein implanting the baroreceptor activation device comprises implanting the baroreceptor activation device on or about the exterior of a blood vessel.

16. A method as in claim 14, wherein implanting the baroreceptor activation device comprises implanting the baroreceptor activation device within a blood vessel.