Renal nerve stimulation method and apparatus for treatment of patients
AssigneeArdian, Inc.
InventorsHoward R. Levin, Mark Gelfand
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently implanted or catheter based.
Claims43
A method for treating a human patient comprising:
- a. positioning a nerve stimulation device adjacent to a renal nerve of at least one kidney of the patient, and
- b. at least partially blocking the renal nerve of the kidney.
A method to stimulate a renal nerve in a mammalian patient comprising:
- a. positioning a nerve stimulation device proximate a renal nerve of a kidney of the patient;
- b. applying a stimulation signal with the device to the renal nerve, and
- c. at least partially blocking the renal nerve by application of the stimulation signal.
A method for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic renal nerve signals comprising:
- a. positioning at least one electrode proximate to a renal nerve of a mammalian patient;
- b. applying an electrical current to the electrode with an electric controller to stimulate the renal nerve to at least reduce signal traffic in sympathetic efferent renal nerve fibers, and
- c. said controller regulating the current applied to the electrode based on at least one condition of the patient being monitored by a sensor.
An apparatus for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic comprising:
- a nerve stimulation device to be placed proximate to a renal nerve of the patient and said device adapted to stimulate the renal nerve, and
- a nerve stimulator activating the stimulation device to stimulate the renal nerve.
An apparatus for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic comprising:
- a nerve stimulation device positionable proximate to a renal blood vessel of the patient and said device adapted to stimulate a renal nerve adjacent the vessel, and
- a nerve stimulator activating the stimulation device to stimulate the renal nerve.
A nerve stimulation device implantable in a mammalian patient comprising:
- an implantable stimulator,
- an implantable lead connected to said stimulator,
- an implanted nerve stimulation cuff connectable to said lead and adapted to receive signals generated by the stimulator, wherein said cuff at least partially envelopes an artery.
A nerve stimulation device comprising:
- a stimulator implantable into a mammalian patient,
- a nerve stimulation cuff in communication with said stimulator to receive a nerve stimulation signal for the stimulator, and said cuff adapted to be implanted into the patient and positioned proximate to an outer surface of an artery of the patient, wherein said cuff stimulates a nerve adjacent the artery when activated by the nerve stimulation signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.