Intravascular device for neuromodulation

• US 8,116,883 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuxcel2 LLC
• Original Assignee: Synecor LLC
• Inventors: Williams, Michael S., Stack, Richard S., Elliott, Lynn, N'diaye, Colleen Stack, Fifer, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOKLOSA, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US11/702,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 607117-120
• US Class Current: 607/120
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• 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 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• 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 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

The present disclosure describes intravascular systems that may be used for a variety of functions. The elements of the disclosed systems include at least one device body implanted within the vasculature. Electrodes on a lead and/or on the device body itself are used to direct electrical energy to neurological targets. These systems may additionally include one or more fluid reservoirs housing drugs or other agents to be delivered to tissue.

Claims

1. A method of electrically stimulating a nervous system target and delivering an agent into a blood vessel, the method comprising:

selecting a nervous system target to receive electrical stimulation;

introducing a neurostimulation implant including a pulse generator into the vasculature of a patient and advancing the neurostimulation implant to a first blood vessel;

retaining the neurostimulation implant within the first blood vessel; and

positioning at least one electrode within the patient, the electrode in communication with the neurostimulation implant, and

stimulating the nervous system target using the electrode;

providing an intravascular drug delivery implant comprising a reservoir;

introducing the drug delivery implant into a second blood vessel;

retaining the drug delivery implant within the second blood vessel; and

releasing agent from the reservoir into the cardiovascular system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the neurostimulation implant includes the reservoir.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the neurostimulation implant is electronically coupled to the drug delivery implant.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the neurostimulation implant is in wireless communication with the drug delivery implant.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug delivery implant includes an elongate conduit extending from the reservoir, and the method includes positioning the conduit to release agent into a target region of the cardiovascular system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the target region of the cardiovascular system is a third blood vessel, and wherein the method includes positioning the conduit to release agent into the third blood vessel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the third blood vessel is a renal artery.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the target region is an organ.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the organ is the heart.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the organ is a kidney.

11. The method according to claim 5, further including passing the conduit through a wall of the second blood vessel and positioning the conduit to release an agent into contact with the nervous system target.

12. The method according to claim 11, further including extending the conduit into tissue of the nervous system target.