Methods of treating medical conditions by neuromodulation of the sympathetic nervous system

• US 7,877,146 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Rezai, Ali, Ansarinia, Mehdi
• Primary Examiner(s): KAHELIN, MICHAEL WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US11/121,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,092 Days
• Field of Search: 607/42
• US Class Current: 607/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/00 Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests vaccination appliances for veterinary use A61D1/025 ; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; combinations of vial and syringe for mixing or transferring their contents A61J1/20; holders for containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36089 Addiction or withdrawal from substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for treating respiratory or pulmonary medical conditions by neuromodulation of a target site of the sympathetic nervous system and preferably a target site in communication with a sympathetic nerve chain. A system for treating a respiratory or pulmonary medical condition incorporating a closed-loop feedback system is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of alleviating a bronchial disorder in a patient suffering therefrom comprising:

placing an electrode in electrical contact with a target site of the patient, the target site comprising a cervical ganglion or an upper thoracic sympathetic ganglion of the sympathetic nervous system;

detecting the patient'"'"'s respiratory function via a sensor and generating a sensor signal; and

activating the electrode to initiate application of an electrical signal to the target site in response to the sensor signal or adjusting application of an electrical signal to the target site in response to the sensor signal to alleviate the patient'"'"'s bronchial disorder, wherein the electrical signal has a voltage range of 0.1 μ

V to about 20 V and a frequency range of about 2 Hz to about 2500 Hz,

wherein the bronchial disorder is asthma.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is one of a T1 though T5 ganglion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is an inferior cervical ganglion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is part of a stimulation lead.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode has an ovoid configuration to conform to the ganglion.