Implantable device for evaluating autonomic cardiovascular drive in a patient suffering from chronic cardiac dysfunction
First Claim
1. A vagus nerve neurostimulator for modulating autonomic cardiovascular drive, comprising:
- a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator generates a pulsed electrical signal comprising;
a signal ON time;
a signal OFF time;
an output current;
a signal frequency of approximately 10 Hz;
a pulse width; and
a duty cycle defined by dividing the signal ON time by the sum of the signal ON time and signal OFF time;
a therapy lead;
an electrode communicatively coupled to the pulse generator via the therapy lead, wherein the electrical signal is applied to a vagus nerve via the electrode to propagate action potentials in both afferent and efferent directions along the vagus nerve at an intensity that avoids acute physiological side effects; and
a leadless heart rate sensor.
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Abstract
An implantable device for evaluating autonomic cardiovascular drive in a patient suffering from chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. A stimulation therapy lead includes helical electrodes configured to conform to an outer diameter of a cervical vagus nerve sheath, and a set of connector pins electrically connected to the helical electrodes. A neurostimulator includes an electrical receptacle into which the connector pins are securely and electrically coupled. The neurostimulator also includes a pulse generator configured to therapeutically stimulate the vagus nerve through the helical electrodes in alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition that are tuned to both efferently activate the heart'"'"'s intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patient'"'"'s central reflexes by triggering bi-directional action potentials. The neurostimulator includes a recordable memory storing a baseline heart rate. The neurostimulator includes an integrated leadless heart rate sensor configured to continually monitor heart rate in light of the baseline heart rate.
281 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vagus nerve neurostimulator for modulating autonomic cardiovascular drive, comprising:
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a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator generates a pulsed electrical signal comprising; a signal ON time; a signal OFF time; an output current; a signal frequency of approximately 10 Hz; a pulse width; and a duty cycle defined by dividing the signal ON time by the sum of the signal ON time and signal OFF time; a therapy lead; an electrode communicatively coupled to the pulse generator via the therapy lead, wherein the electrical signal is applied to a vagus nerve via the electrode to propagate action potentials in both afferent and efferent directions along the vagus nerve at an intensity that avoids acute physiological side effects; and a leadless heart rate sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vagus nerve neurostimulator for modulating autonomic cardiovascular drive, comprising:
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a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator generates a pulsed electrical signal comprising; a signal ramp-up time; a signal ramp-down time; a signal ON time; a signal OFF time; an output current; a signal frequency of approximately 10 Hz; a pulse width; and a duty cycle defined by dividing the signal ON time by the sum of the signal ON time and signal OFF time; a therapy lead; an electrode communicatively coupled to the pulse generator via the therapy lead, wherein the electrical signal is applied to a vagus nerve via the electrode to propagate action potentials in both afferent and efferent directions along the vagus nerve at an intensity that avoids acute physiological side effects; and a leadless heart rate sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vagus nerve neurostimulator for modulating autonomic cardiovascular drive, comprising:
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a pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator generates a pulsed electrical signal comprising; a signal ON time; a signal OFF time; an output current; a signal frequency of approximately 10 Hz; a pulse width; and a duty cycle defined by dividing the signal ON time by the sum of the signal ON time and signal OFF time; a therapy lead; an electrode communicatively coupled to the pulse generator via the therapy lead, wherein the electrical signal is applied to a vagus nerve via the electrode to; propagate action potentials in both afferent and efferent directions along the vagus nerve; and induce heart rate variability during the signal ON time at an intensity that avoids acute physiological side effects; and a leadless heart rate sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification