Subcardiac threshold vagal nerve stimulation
First Claim
1. An implantable stimulation apparatus comprising:
- a) a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, wherein the pulses are capable of reducing a defibrillation threshold of the heart;
b) a first electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart;
c) a second electrode configured so as to be capable of sensing cardiac activity of the heart; and
d) a control circuit coupled to the second electrode and the vagal nerve stimulator, wherein in response to a sensed decrease in beat rate of the heart, the control circuit adjusts the energy parameters of the electrical pulses generated by the vagal nerve stimulator by using the sensed cardiac activity of the heart to select an energy of the electric pulses that is below the cardiac threshold of the heart and effective to reduce the defibrillation threshold of the heart.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart.
117 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An implantable stimulation apparatus comprising:
-
a) a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, wherein the pulses are capable of reducing a defibrillation threshold of the heart; b) a first electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart; c) a second electrode configured so as to be capable of sensing cardiac activity of the heart; and d) a control circuit coupled to the second electrode and the vagal nerve stimulator, wherein in response to a sensed decrease in beat rate of the heart, the control circuit adjusts the energy parameters of the electrical pulses generated by the vagal nerve stimulator by using the sensed cardiac activity of the heart to select an energy of the electric pulses that is below the cardiac threshold of the heart and effective to reduce the defibrillation threshold of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An implantable stimulation apparatus comprising:
-
a) a sensor configured to sense cardiac activity of a heart; b) a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate subcardiac threshold electrical pulses capable of reducing a defibrillation threshold of the heart; c) a controller coupled to the sensor and the vagal nerve stimulator, wherein in response to a sensed decrease in beat rate of the heart, the controller adjusts energy parameters of the electrical pulses generated by the vagal nerve stimulator by using the sensed cardiac activity of the heart to select an energy of the electric pulses that is below the cardiac threshold of the heart and effective to reduce the defibrillation threshold of the heart; and d) a lead portion having a helical configuration and comprising at least one electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit the subcardiac threshold electrical pulses to a vagal nerve for reducing the defibrillation threshold of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method comprising:
-
generating electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, wherein the electrical pulses are capable of reducing a defibrillation threshold of the heart; sensing cardiac activity of the heart; adjusting the energy parameters of the electrical pulses by using the sensed cardiac activity of the heart to select an energy of the electric pulses that is below the cardiac threshold of the heart; and transmitting the electrical pulses to a vagal nerve, whereby the defibrillation threshold of the heart is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification