Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating heart conditions
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is provided that includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of a subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject. Also provided is a method comprising applying to a vagus nerve of a subject a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject.
142 Citations
109 Claims
-
1-80. -80. (canceled)
-
81. Apparatus for treating a subject, comprising:
-
an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject;a heart rate sensor, configured to detect a heart rate of the subject, and to generate a heart rate signal responsive thereto; and a control unit, adapted to; receive the heart rate signal, and responsive to determining that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value, which threshold value is greater than a normal heart rate, drive the electrode device to apply a current to the tissue, and configure the current so as to reduce the heart rate of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85, 86)
-
-
87. Apparatus for treating a subject, comprising:
-
an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject};a sensor, configured to detect a heart rate of the subject, and to generate a heart rate signal responsive thereto; and a control unit comprising an integral feedback controller that has inputs comprising the detected heart rate and a target heart rate, the control unit adapted to; drive the electrode device to apply a current to the tissue, and configure the current responsive to an output of the integral feedback controller, so as to reduce the heart rate of the subject toward a target heart rate. - View Dependent Claims (88)
-
-
89. A method for treating a subject, comprising:
-
detecting a heart rate of the subject; and responsive to determining that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value, which threshold value is greater than a normal heart rate, applying a current to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject, and configuring the current so as to reduce the heart rate of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
-
-
95. A method for treating a subject, comprising:
-
detecting a heart rate of the subject; applying a current to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject; andconfiguring the current so as to reduce the heart rate toward a target heart rate, responsive to an output of an integral feedback controller whose inputs comprise the detected heart rate and a target heart rate.
-
-
96. A method for treating heart failure of a subject, comprising:
-
designating a threshold heart rate above a normal heart rate of the subject; detecting that the heart rate; determining that the heart rate is greater than the threshold heart rate; and responsive to the determining, applying a current to tissue comprising a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject respective pulse bursts in each of a plurality of cardiac cycles of the subject - View Dependent Claims (97, 98)
-
-
99. Apparatus for applying current to a vagus nerve, comprising:
-
a cathode, adapted to be disposed at a cathodic site of the vagus nerve and to apply a cathodic current to the vagus nerve so as to stimulate the vagus nerve; a first anode, adapted to be disposed at a first anodal site of the vagus nerve; and a second anode, directly electrically connected to the first anode, and adapted to be disposed at a second anodal site of the vagus nerve, such that the cathodic site is between the first anodal site and the second anodal site.
-
-
100. A method for applying current to a vagus nerve, comprising:
-
applying to the vagus nerve, through a common conductor, an anodal current at a first anodal site of the vagus nerve and at a second anodal site of the vagus nerve; and applying a cathodic current to the vagus nerve at a cathodic site of the vagus nerve, so as to stimulate the vagus nerve, the cathodic site disposed between the first anodal site and the second anodal site.
-
-
101. A treatment method, comprising:
-
identifying that a subject suffers from a condition; and treating the condition by; applying a current to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject, andconfiguring the current to affect a behavior of an adrenergic system of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (102, 103, 104)
-
-
105. A treatment method, comprising:
-
identifying that a subject suffers from a heart condition; and treating the heart condition by; applying a current to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject, andconfiguring the current to modulate contractility of at least a portion of a heart of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107)
-
-
108. A treatment method, comprising:
-
identifying that a subject suffers from a heart condition; and treating the heart condition by; applying a current to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject; andconfiguring the current to increase coronary blood flow of the subject.
-
-
109. A treatment method, comprising:
-
identify that a subject suffers from a heart condition; and treating the heart condition by applying, during each of a plurality of cardiac cycles of the subject, exactly one stimulating pulse to tissue selected from the group consisting of;
a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad of the subject.
-
Specification