METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION WITH MULTI-SITE CARDIAC PACING

• US 20070276443A1
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: HILL, Michael, LaPORTE, Steve, BONNER, Matthew, SHAFER, Lisa, KEOGH, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• 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

A method of performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure includes stimulation of a patient'"'"'s heart while stimulating a nerve of the patient in order to modulate the patient'"'"'s inflammatory process. More particularly, the medical procedure includes pacing the ventricles of the patient'"'"'s heart while stimulating the vagal nerve of the patient. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:

positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;

positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;

positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;

providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;

providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and

providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode is coordinated with steps of providing stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising stimulating the nerve while stimulating the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising stimulating the nerve while stopping stimulation of the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising stimulating the first and second portions of cardiac tissue while stopping stimulation of the nerve.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the nerve is a vagal nerve.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering at least one drug during the medical procedure.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion of cardiac tissue is at least a portion of a heart chamber.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the heart chamber is a ventricle.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the heart chamber is an atrium.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the second portion of cardiac tissue is at least a portion of a heart chamber.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the heart chamber is a ventricle.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the heart chamber is an atrium.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a thoracotomy.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a sternotomy.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a percutaneous incision.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a torso of a patient.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a leg of a patient.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in an arm of a patient.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a neck of a patient.