Systems for regulation of blood pressure and heart rate
First Claim
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1. A method of treating hypertension or congestive heart failure in a subject comprising:
- applying an intermittent electrical treatment signal to a vagus nerve or tissue in proximity to the vagus nerve at a subdiaphragmatic location of the subject having hypertension or congestive heart failure, wherein said electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially down-regulate neural activity on the vagus nerve during an on time, have a frequency of about 200 Hz to 25 kHz, 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.
226 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of treating hypertension or congestive heart failure in a subject comprising:
applying an intermittent electrical treatment signal to a vagus nerve or tissue in proximity to the vagus nerve at a subdiaphragmatic location of the subject having hypertension or congestive heart failure, wherein said electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially down-regulate neural activity on the vagus nerve during an on time, have a frequency of about 200 Hz to 25 kHz, 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)
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12. 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 electrical treatment signal selected to down-regulate afferent and/or efferent neural activity on the nerve, have a frequency of about 200 Hz to 25 kHz, 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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13. A system comprising:
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a) an electrode adapted to be placed on a vagus nerve at a subdiaphragmatic location; b) an implantable neuroregulator connected to the electrode and configured to deliver an electrical signal to the vagus 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 ii) has a frequency of 200 to 5000 Hz selected to down regulate neural activity on the nerve during an on time, iii) has an off time selected to provide for at least partial recovery of nerve function, and iv) has an amplitude of at least 6 mA; 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; and d) a sensor that is configured to sense blood pressure and to send a signal to the neuroregulator to deliver the electrical signal if the blood pressure becomes pre hypertensive or greater. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification