Mapping methods for cardiovascular reflex control devices

• US 6,850,801 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
• Inventors: Keith, Peter T., Serdar, David J., Persson, Bruce J., Kieval, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oropeza, Frances P.
• Application Number:
  US09/963,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/3, 607/44, 607/62, 607/67, 607/72, 607/118, 607/46, 607/48, 600/377, 600/381, 600/485, 600/500, 600/505, 600552-555, 600/547, 600/548
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably in the carotid sinus. A mapping method permits the baroreceptor activation device to be precisely located to maximize therapeutic efficacy.

Claims

1. A method of inducing a change in the baroreflex system of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an activation device;

positioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at a first location;

activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the activation device to induce a baroreflex signal;

measuring the degree of baroreflex activation at the first location;

repositioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at a second location;

activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the activation device to induce a baroreflex signal;

measuring the degree of baroreflex activation at the second location;

comparing the degree of baroreflex activation at the first and second locations;

selecting a final location for the activation device based on the comparison;

positioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at the final location; and

activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the activation device to induce a baroreflex signal.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the degree of baroreflex activation at the first location comprises measuring blood pressure.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the degree of baroreflex activation at the first location comprises measuring heart rate.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at the second location comprises rotating the activation device around a carotid artery.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at the second location comprises longitudinally displacing the activation device along a carotid artery.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the first location is on an artery, and the second location is on the same artery.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the first location is on an artery, and the second location is on a different artery.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the first and second locations are extravascular.

9. A method of mapping baroreflex responsiveness, comprising the steps of:

providing an activation device;

positioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at a plurality of locations;

activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the activation device at each location;

measuring the degree of baroreflex activation at each location; and

comparing the degree of baroreflex activation at each location.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of measuring the degree of baroreflex activation comprises measuring blood pressure.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of measuring the degree of baroreflex activation comprises measuring heart rate.

12. A method as in claim 9, wherein the plurality of locations are on the same artery.

13. A method as in claim 9, wherein the plurality of locations are not all on the same artery.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein the plurality of locations are extravascular.

15. A method of inducing a change in the baroreflex system of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an activation device;

selecting a location proximate a baroreceptor for implantation based on a comparison of baroreflex responsiveness;

positioning the activation device proximate a baroreceptor at the selected location; and

activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the activation device to induce a baroreceptor signal.