Apparatus for Artificial Cardiac Stimulation and Method of Using Same

A system for artificial stimulation of the heart of a subject, the system comprising:

• a controller comprising a receiver for receiving signal data, a processor or processing received signal data, and a transmitter for transmitting signal data;
• a sensing stent for location in the proximal coronary sinus of the subject, the sensing stent electrode comprising a sensing electrode assembly for sensing atrial and/or ventricular signals from the heart of the subject and a transmitting assembly for transmitting signal data to the receiver of the controller;
• and
• a stimulation stent for location in a vein of the subject distal of the sensing stent, the stimulation stent comprising a receiver for receiving signal data from the transmitter of the controller and an electrode assembly for providing a stimulating electrical signal to the heart of the subject in response to the data received.

A method for providing stimulation to the heart of a subject, the method comprising:

• sensing electrical activity of the heart at a location in the proximal region of the coronary sinus using a sensing stent implanted in the coronary sinus;
• transmitting first signal data from the proximal region of the coronary sinus to a controller;
• generating second signal data for providing electrical stimulation to target tissue of the heart in response to the signal data received from the proximal region of the coronary sinus;
• transmitting the second signal data to an stimulation stent for stimulation of the target tissue;
• and
• providing electrical stimulation to the target tissue of the heart in response to the second signal data.

A method for the biventricular pacing of the heart of a subject, the method comprising:

• sensing electrical activity of the heart at a location in the proximal region of the coronary sinus using a sensing stent implanted in the coronary sinus;
• transmitting first signal data from the proximal region of the coronary sinus to a controller;
• generating second signal data for providing electrical stimulation to target tissue of the heart in response to the signal data received from the proximal region of the coronary sinus;
• transmitting the second signal data to a plurality of stimulation stents disposed for multisite stimulation of the left ventricle and an stimulation stent disposed for stimulation of the right ventricle;
• and
• providing electrical stimulation to both the left and right ventricles in response to the second signal data.