System and method for neuromodulation
First Claim
1. A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient having a heart rate and a blood pressure, comprising:
- delivering a neuromodulation therapy to sustain or increase the blood pressure while decreasing the heart rate, said neuromodulation therapy including(a) stimulating at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber using a first therapeutic element comprising first electrodes disposed in a superior vena cava of the patient, wherein said stimulating comprises energizing at least one first electrode; and
(b) stimulating at least one sympathetic nerve fiber using a second therapeutic element comprising second electrodes disposed in the superior vena cava, the first electrodes and second electrodes being different electrodes, wherein staid stimulating comprises energizing at least one second electrode;
wherein steps (a) and (b) include positioning at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode against a posterior side of an internal wall of the superior vena cava.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient includes energizing a first therapeutic element disposed in a superior vena cava of the patient to deliver therapy to a parasympathetic nerve fiber (e.g. vagus nerve), and energizing a second therapeutic element disposed within the superior vena cava to deliver therapy to a sympathetic cardiac nerve fiber. A neuromodulation system includes a parasympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within a blood vessel, a sympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within the blood vessel; and a stimulator to energize the parasympathetic therapy element to deliver parasympathetic therapy to a parasympathetic nerve fiber disposed external to the blood vessel and energize the sympathetic therapy element within the blood vessel to deliver sympathetic therapy to a sympathetic nerve fiber disposed external to the blood vessel. The therapy decreases the patient'"'"'s heart rate and elevates or maintains the blood pressure of the patient.
187 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient having a heart rate and a blood pressure, comprising:
delivering a neuromodulation therapy to sustain or increase the blood pressure while decreasing the heart rate, said neuromodulation therapy including (a) stimulating at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber using a first therapeutic element comprising first electrodes disposed in a superior vena cava of the patient, wherein said stimulating comprises energizing at least one first electrode; and (b) stimulating at least one sympathetic nerve fiber using a second therapeutic element comprising second electrodes disposed in the superior vena cava, the first electrodes and second electrodes being different electrodes, wherein staid stimulating comprises energizing at least one second electrode; wherein steps (a) and (b) include positioning at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode against a posterior side of an internal wall of the superior vena cava. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient having a superior vena cava that includes a wall, comprising:
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(a) positioning at least one first electrode within the superior vena cava against a postero-lateral segment of the wall of the superior vena cava, and stimulating at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber using said at least one first electrode; and (b) positioning at least one second electrode within the superior vena cava against a postero-medial segment of the wall of the superior vena cava, and stimulating at least one sympathetic nerve fiber using said at least one second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient having a heart rate and a blood pressure, comprising:
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delivering a neuromodulation therapy to sustain or increase the blood pressure while decreasing the heart rate, said neuromodulation therapy including (a) stimulating at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber using a first therapeutic element including a first electrode disposed in a superior vena cava of the patient; and (b) stimulating at least one sympathetic nerve fiber using a second therapeutic element including a second electrode disposed in the superior vena cava, wherein said at least one first and second electrodes are positioned in contact with the wall of the SVC along a circumferential band extending 270°
or less around the wall of the superior vena cava, the band having a mid-point at a posterior- most point around a circumference of the superior vena cava.
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Specification