Method and device for electronically controlling the beating of a heart using venous electrical stimulation of nerve fibers

• US RE38,705 E1
• Filed: 11/15/2001
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jonkman, Kenneth R., Hill, Michael R. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US10/004,182
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 607/5, 607/9, 607/118, 607/122
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/362 Heart stimulators heart defibrillators A61N1/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/385 Devices for inducing an abnormal cardiac function, e.g. fibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Abstract

An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for arresting the beat of a heart in a living body comprising the steps of connecting the pair of electrodes to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat and supplying an electrical current to the electrodes of sufficient amplitude and duration to arrest the heartbeat. The device may also serve to still the lungs by input to a respirator or by stimulation of the phrenic nerve during surgical procedures.

Claims

1. A method for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising the steps of:

advancing a lead carrying an array of electrodes through the vascular system to a point within a vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;

selectively employing electrodes within the array to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and

delivering electrical pulses to the selectively employed electrodes.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent vagus nerve fibers.

4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent hypoglossal nerve fibers.

5. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent phrenic nerve fibers.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes within an azygous vein.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes within a hemizygous vein.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to said position said electrodes adjacent parasympathetic nerve fibers.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent sympathetic nerve fibers.

2. A method for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising the steps of:

advancing a lead carrying electrodes through the vascular system to a point within an internal jugular vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;

employing electrodes to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and

delivering electrical pulses to the employed electrodes.

10. An apparatus for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising:

a transverse lead carrying an array of electrodes locatable in the vascular system at a point within a vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;

switch means for selectively employing electrodes within the array to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and

pulse generator means for delivering electrical pulses to the selectively employed electrodes.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said array is locatable in a patients internal jugular vein adjacent the patient'"'"'s vagus nerve, and wherein said device further comprises cardiac pacing means for stimulating heartbeats following delivery of pulses to the electrode array.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 further comprising phrenic nerve stimulation electrodes locatable adjacent the patients phrenic nerve and means for delivering electrical pulses to the phrenic nerve stimulation electrodes in conjunction with delivery of pulses to the electrode array.