Implantable electroacupuncture system for treating cardiovascular disease
First Claim
1. An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture System (IEAS) for treating cardiovascular disease through application of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses configured to be applied at a specified tissue location of a patient, comprising:
- a leadless implantable electroacupuncture (EA) device comprisinga hermetically-sealed housing containing a primary power source, pulse generation circuitry powered by the primary power source, and a sensor that wirelessly senses operating commands generated external to the housing, wherein the pulse generation circuitry generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen as controlled at least in part by the operating commands sensed through the sensor;
a plurality of electrodes located on an outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device, the plurality of electrodes comprising a central electrode of a first polarity and centrally located on the outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device and an annular electrode of a second polarity and that is spaced apart from and surrounds the central electrode on the outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device, the plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuitry through at least one feed-through terminal passing through a wall of the housing, wherein the stimulation pulses are configured to be applied at the specified tissue location through the central electrode and the annular electrode in accordance with the specified stimulation regimen;
wherein the specified stimulation regimen defines how often a stimulation session comprising a stream of the stimulation pulses is applied to the patient, the specified stimulation regimen requiring that the stimulation session have a duration of T3 minutes and a rate of occurrence of once every T4 minutes, wherein the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture Device (IEAD) treats cardiovascular disease through application of stimulation pulses applied at at least one of acupoints EX-HN1, BL14, HT7, HT5, PC6, ST36, LI11, LU7, and LU2. 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 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.
16 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture System (IEAS) for treating cardiovascular disease through application of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses configured to be applied at a specified tissue location of a patient, comprising:
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a leadless implantable electroacupuncture (EA) device comprising a hermetically-sealed housing containing a primary power source, pulse generation circuitry powered by the primary power source, and a sensor that wirelessly senses operating commands generated external to the housing, wherein the pulse generation circuitry generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen as controlled at least in part by the operating commands sensed through the sensor; a plurality of electrodes located on an outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device, the plurality of electrodes comprising a central electrode of a first polarity and centrally located on the outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device and an annular electrode of a second polarity and that is spaced apart from and surrounds the central electrode on the outside surface of the housing of the leadless EA device, the plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuitry through at least one feed-through terminal passing through a wall of the housing, wherein the stimulation pulses are configured to be applied at the specified tissue location through the central electrode and the annular electrode in accordance with the specified stimulation regimen; wherein the specified stimulation regimen defines how often a stimulation session comprising a stream of the stimulation pulses is applied to the patient, the specified stimulation regimen requiring that the stimulation session have a duration of T3 minutes and a rate of occurrence of once every T4 minutes, wherein the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification