Wireless endovascular stent-based electrodes

• US 9,526,637 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2012
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enopace Biomedical Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Enopace Biomedical Ltd.
• Inventors: Armony, Nir, Dagan, Amir, Elazar, Moshe, Hanani, Nitai, Ariav, Gal, Meiri, Oded, Gindin, Igor, Bernshtein, Vadim, Gross, Yossi, Glasberg, Offer
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet, Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): BISSING, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/741,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20140180391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,570 Days
• Field of Search: 607/117, 607/116, 623/1.15
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/825 having longitudinal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0037 differing in height or in length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 : Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0096 : Markers and sensors for detecting a position or changes of a position of an implant, e.g. RF sensors, ultrasound markers
• 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 1/0514 : Electrodes for the urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 : Anchoring or fixation means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 : Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 : Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 : adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 : Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 : Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a blood vessel of a subject, including a stent (20) configured to be placed in the blood vessel. The stent includes at least first (32), second (34), and third (36) strut portions disposed along the stent. The first and second strut portions are coupled to one another at a first junction (37A) that facilitates bending of the first and second strut portions with respect to one another. The second and third strut portions are coupled to one another at a second junction (37B) that facilitates bending of the second and third strut portions with respect to one another. At least one electrode (22) is disposed on at least an outer surface of the stent. Other applications are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

a stent configured to be placed in the blood vessel, the stent comprising;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts protruding longitudinally from a given end of the stent body;

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body; and

at least one electrode coupled to the given end of the stent body.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a coiled electrode that is coupled to the stent by being placed on one of the posts.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the posts is greater than 1 mm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the length of each of the posts is greater than 5 mm.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the posts is less than 20 mm.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of each of the posts is less than 15 mm.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is configured to receive power by RF energy being transmitted toward the antenna, such as to generate an inductive current through the antenna.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the posts are configured, by separating the antenna from the end of the stent body, to reduce a strength of the inductive current that is generated in the stent body, due to a magnetic field that is generated by the inductive current of the antenna.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a control capsule coupled to the stent, wherein the control capsule is configured to be powered using the inductive current of the antenna.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control capsule is configured to drive a current into the blood vessel, via the electrode.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control capsule is configured to receive an electrical parameter of the blood vessel, via the electrode.

12. Apparatus for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

a stent configured to be placed in the blood vessel, the stent comprising;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body; and

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body,

the antenna being configured to receive power by RF energy being transmitted toward the antenna, such as to generate an inductive current through the antenna, and

the posts being configured to provide electrical resistance, such that there is no current from the antenna to the stent body, via the posts.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a control capsule coupled to the stent, wherein the control capsule is configured to be powered using the inductive current of the antenna.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an electrode coupled to the stent, wherein the control capsule is configured to drive a current into the blood vessel, via the electrode.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an electrode coupled to the stent, wherein the control capsule is configured to receive an electrical parameter of the blood vessel, via the electrode.

16. A method for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

providing a stent that includes;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts longitudinally protruding from a given end of the stent body; and

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the stent body; and

at least one electrode coupled to the given end of the stent body; and

placing the stent inside the blood vessel.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent, the at least one electrode including a coiled electrode that is coupled to the stent by being placed on one of the posts.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent, a length of each of the posts being greater than 1 mm.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent, the length of each of the posts being greater than 5 mm.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent, a length of each of the posts being less than 20 mm.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent, the length of each of the posts being less than 15 mm.

22. The method according to claim 16, further comprising operating a transmitter to generate an inductive current through the antenna by transmitting RF energy toward the antenna.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein providing the stent, the posts of the stent separating the antenna from the end of the stent body, comprises reducing a strength of the inductive current that is generated in the stent body, due to a magnetic field that is generated by the antenna.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein operating the transmitter comprises powering a control capsule that is coupled to the stent, using the inductive current of the antenna.

25. A method for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

providing a stent that includes;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts longitudinally protruding from an end of the stent body; and

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the stent body;

placing the stent inside the blood vessel; and

operating a transmitter to generate an inductive current through the antenna by transmitting RF energy toward the antenna,

the posts of the stent providing electrical resistance, such that there is no current from the antenna to the stent body, via the posts.

26. A method for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

providing a stent that includes;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts longitudinally protruding from an end of the stent body; and

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the stent body;

placing the stent inside the blood vessel;

operating a transmitter to generate an inductive current through the antenna by transmitting RF energy toward the antenna;

powering a control capsule that is coupled to the stent, using the inductive current of the antenna; and

using the control capsule, driving a current into the blood vessel, via an electrode that is coupled to the stent.

27. A method for use with a blood vessel of a subject, comprising:

providing a stent that includes;

a generally cylindrical stent body;

a plurality of posts longitudinally protruding from an end of the stent body; and

an antenna disposed annularly on the posts, such that the posts separate the antenna from the stent body;

placing the stent inside the blood vessel;

operating a transmitter to generate an inductive current through the antenna by transmitting RF energy toward the antenna;

powering a control capsule that is coupled to the stent, using the inductive current of the antenna; and

using the control capsule, receiving an electrical parameter of the blood vessel, via an electrode that is coupled to the stent.