Stimulating cranial nerve to treat pulmonary disorder
AssigneeCyberonics, Inc.
InventorsSteven M. PARNIS, Steven E. MASCHINO, William R. BURAS, Albert W. GUZMAN
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Abstract
Systems and methods to treat a pulmonary disorder are provided. A particular method includes positioning an electrode in a patient's body at a location proximate a branch of a vagus nerve. The branch of the vagus nerve includes at least one of a bronchial branch of the vagus nerve and a pulmonary plexus. The method also includes activating the electrode such that energy is delivered from the electrode to the branch of the vagus nerve so as to block intrinsic neural activity in the branch of the vagus nerve to treat the pulmonary disorder.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- positioning an electrode in a patient's body at a location proximate a branch of a vagus nerve, the branch of the vagus nerve including at least one of a bronchial branch of the vagus nerve and a pulmonary plexus;
- and
- activating the electrode such that energy is delivered from the electrode to the branch of the vagus nerve so as to block intrinsic neural activity in the branch of the vagus nerve to treat a pulmonary disorder.
A method comprising:
- positioning an electrode outside of a bronchial airway within a subject;
- and
- activating the electrode to deliver energy to nerve tissue positioned along the bronchial airway so as to block neural activity in the nerve tissue to treat a pulmonary disorder.
An apparatus for treating a patient having a pulmonary disorder, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrode positionable in a patient's body on or in proximity to a branch of a vagus nerve such that the electrode is operatively coupled thereto, the branch including at least one of a bronchial branch of the vagus nerve and a pulmonary plexus;
- and
- a generator configured to be coupled to the electrode to deliver electrical energy thereto;
- wherein the electrode is configured to deliver the electrical energy to the branch of the vagus nerve so as to block intrinsic neural activity in the branch of the vagus nerve to treat the pulmonary disorder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.