Implantable electroacupuncture device and method for treating cardiovascular disease
First Claim
1. A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a patient using a small, leadless, implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) powered by a small disc primary battery having a specified nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and having an internal impedance of at least 5 ohms, the IEAD being configured, using electronic circuitry within the IEAD, to generate electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen and apply the EA stimulation pulses through at least two electrodes/arrays located on the housing of the IEAD to the patient'"'"'s body tissue at a selected tissue location, said at least two electrodes/arrays comprising at least one central electrode/array of a first polarity, having a maximum width of no more 7 mm, centrally located on a first surface of the small IEAD housing, and at least one annular electrode/array of a second polarity spaced apart from the central electrode/array by at least 5 mm measured from the edge of the annular electrode/array closest to the central electrode/array to the center of the central electrode/array, said method comprising:
- (a) implanting the IEAD below the skin surface of the patient at one or more acupoints selected from the group of acupoints comprising PC6, or a point along an axis line connecting point PC6 with PC5 or PC7, with the first surface of the IEAD facing inwardly into the patient'"'"'s body tissue at the selected acupoint;
(b) enabling the IEAD to provide stimulation pulses in accordance with a stimulation regimen that provides a stimulation session at a rate of once every T4 minutes, with each stimulation session having a duration of T3 minutes, where the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats heart failure, coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia or angina through application of stimulation pulses applied at acupoints GV20 and/or EXHN3. The IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio of T3/T4, is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a patient using a small, leadless, implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) powered by a small disc primary battery having a specified nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and having an internal impedance of at least 5 ohms, the IEAD being configured, using electronic circuitry within the IEAD, to generate electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen and apply the EA stimulation pulses through at least two electrodes/arrays located on the housing of the IEAD to the patient'"'"'s body tissue at a selected tissue location, said at least two electrodes/arrays comprising at least one central electrode/array of a first polarity, having a maximum width of no more 7 mm, centrally located on a first surface of the small IEAD housing, and at least one annular electrode/array of a second polarity spaced apart from the central electrode/array by at least 5 mm measured from the edge of the annular electrode/array closest to the central electrode/array to the center of the central electrode/array, said method comprising:
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(a) implanting the IEAD below the skin surface of the patient at one or more acupoints selected from the group of acupoints comprising PC6, or a point along an axis line connecting point PC6 with PC5 or PC7, with the first surface of the IEAD facing inwardly into the patient'"'"'s body tissue at the selected acupoint; (b) enabling the IEAD to provide stimulation pulses in accordance with a stimulation regimen that provides a stimulation session at a rate of once every T4 minutes, with each stimulation session having a duration of T3 minutes, where the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification