SYSTEMS FOR REGULATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a condition associated with impaired heart rate and/or blood pressure in a subject comprising:
- applying an intermittent electrical treatment signal to a target nerve or tissue in proximity to the target nerve of the subject having impaired heart rate and/or blood pressure regulation, wherein said electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially down-regulate neural activity on the nerve during an on time and to at least partially restore neural activity on the nerve during an off time.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.
150 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of treating a condition associated with impaired heart rate and/or blood pressure in a subject comprising:
applying an intermittent electrical treatment signal to a target nerve or tissue in proximity to the target nerve of the subject having impaired heart rate and/or blood pressure regulation, wherein said electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially down-regulate neural activity on the nerve during an on time and to at least partially restore neural activity on the nerve during an off time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of treating hypertension or congestive heart failure comprising:
a) selecting a drug for treating hypertension for a patient where effective dosages for treating hypertension for such a patient are associated with disagreeable side effects or inadequate blood pressure control; and
treating a patient for hypertension with a concurrent treatment comprising;i) applying an intermittent electrical treatment signal to a vagus nerve of the patient at multiple times per day and over multiple days with the block selected to down-regulate afferent and/or efferent neural activity on the nerve and with neural activity at least partially restoring upon discontinuance of said block; and ii) administering said drug to the patient.
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17. A system comprising:
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a) an electrode adapted to be placed on a target nerve; b) an implantable neuroregulator connected to the electrode and configured to deliver an electrical signal to the nerve, wherein the electrical signal is i) delivered with a duty cycle of an on time and an off time multiple times in a day starting early in the morning when patients experience an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, ii) has a frequency selected to down regulate neural activity on the nerve during an on time, has an off time selected to provide for at least partial recovery of nerve function, and iii) has an amplitude of at least 6 mA; and c) an external coil, wherein the external coil is configured to communicate data and power signals to the neuroregulator and to communicate data to another programming device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification