SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STIMULATING NEURAL TARGETS

• US 20080288016A1
• Filed: 05/16/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Libbus, Imad, Amurthur, Badri
• Granted Patent: US 8,755,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, is a method for stimulating neural targets in the vicinity of a human ear. According to an embodiment, a device is clipped on a patient ear lobe, the device including a neural stimulation electrode. A neural stimulation signal is applied to the electrode to transcutaneously stimulate neural targets in the vicinity of the ear lobe, according to an embodiment. A physiological parameter is sensed using a sensor connected to the device. According to an embodiment, the neural stimulation signal is adjusted in response to the sensed parameter. The method is used is a variety of treatment regimens, including anti-hypertensive and cardiac improvement therapy.

Claims

1. A device for mounting to an ear lobe of a patient, comprising:

a clip adapted to detachably attach to the ear lobe;

a neural stimulator including an electrode, the neural stimulator adapted to stimulate neural targets in the vicinity of the ear lobe, the stimulator further adapted to communicate with a stimulation circuit to receive a neural stimulation signal; and

a sensor adapted to monitor a physiological parameter,

wherein the device titrates therapy using the physiological parameter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a blood pressure sensor adapted to sense a parameter indicative of blood pressure, wherein the neural stimulation signal is adapted to chronically lower blood pressure using the sensed parameter.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator delivers stimulation therapy using a preprogrammed schedule to chronically lower blood pressure.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a cardiac function sensor adapted to sense a parameter indicative of cardiac function, wherein the neural stimulation signal is adapted to improve cardiac function using the sensed parameter.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator delivers stimulation therapy using a preprogrammed schedule to improve cardiac function.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication circuit adapted to communicate with an implantable device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

8. A method, comprising:

clipping a device on a patient ear lobe, the device including a neural stimulation electrode;

applying a neural stimulation signal to the electrode to transcutaneously stimulate neural targets in the vicinity of the ear lobe,

sensing a physiological parameter using a sensor connected to the device; and

adjusting the neural stimulation signal in response to the sensed parameter.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein sensing a physiological parameter includes sensing a parameter indicative of blood pressure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein applying the neural stimulation signal includes applying the signal to chronically lower blood pressure using the sensed parameter.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein sensing a physiological parameter includes sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein applying the neural stimulation signal includes applying the signal improve cardiac function using the sensed parameter

13. A method, comprising:

identifying a patient who could benefit from blood pressure reduction therapy; and

delivering therapy for blood pressure reduction to the patient, including delivering neural stimulation to transcutaneously stimulate neural targets in the vicinity of the ear lobe.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein delivering neural stimulation includes delivering neural stimulation from a device that clips on to an ear lobe.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein delivering neural stimulation includes delivering stimulation to an auricular branch of a vagal nerve.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying a patient includes sensing a parameter using an external sensor.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying a patient includes sensing a parameter using an implanted sensor.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sensing blood pressure; and

adjusting neural stimulation using the sensed blood pressure.

19. A method, comprising:

identifying a patient who could benefit from cardiac function improvement therapy; and

delivering therapy for cardiac function improvement to the patient, including delivering neural stimulation to transcutaneously stimulate neural targets in the vicinity of the ear lobe.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying a patient includes sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function includes sensing respiratory rate.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function includes sensing heart rate.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function includes sensing glucose level.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein sensing a parameter indicative of cardiac function includes sensing the parameter using a pulse oximetry sensor.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

adjusting neural stimulation using the sensed parameter.