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US 2015/0306397 A1Published application
Transvascular nerve stimulation apparatus and methods
AssigneeSimon Fraser University
InventorJoaquin Andres HOFFER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.
Claims31
(canceled)
A system for stimulating a phrenic nerve of a patient, the system comprising:
- a signal generator to produce stimulation signals;
- a lead structure configured for insertion into a venous system of the patient, the lead structure having a plurality of leads to receive stimulation signals from the signal generator;
- a plurality of electrodes on the lead structure configured to receive stimulation signals from at least one of the plurality of leads for stimulation of the phrenic nerve, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes at least one bipolar electrode pair configured to be activated to emit an electrical field extending radially outwards from only a portion of a circumference of the lead structure;
- a breathing sensor configured to sense breathing of the patient, wherein the signal generator adjusts the stimulation signals based on the sensed breathing;
- a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the patient, wherein the signal generator adjusts the stimulation signals based on the sensed motion;
- and
- a control system programmed to select the bipolar electrode pair, the bipolar electrode pair including two electrodes best positioned, relative to other electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, to stimulate the phrenic nerve.
4 more elements
A system for stimulating a phrenic nerve of a patient, the system comprising:
- a signal generator to produce stimulation signals;
- a lead structure configured for insertion into a venous system of the patient, the lead structure having a plurality of leads to receive stimulation signals from the signal generator;
- an array of electrodes on the lead structure positionable proximate the phrenic nerve and configured to receive stimulation signals from at least one of the plurality of leads for stimulation of the phrenic nerve, wherein the array of electrodes includes more than two electrically discrete electrodes;
- and
- a control system programmed to select a bipolar pair of electrodes from the array of electrodes, the pair of electrodes including two electrodes configured to align substantially parallel to the phrenic nerve.
2 more elements
A system for stimulating a phrenic nerve of a patient, the system comprising:
- a signal generator to produce stimulation signals;
- a lead structure configured for insertion into a venous system of the patient, the lead structure having a plurality of leads to receive stimulation signals from the signal generator;
- a plurality of electrodes on the lead structure, at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes aligned in at least two rows each extending parallel to each other, wherein:
- each electrode of the plurality of electrodes includes an electrically exposed portion extending around only a portion of a circumference of an outer surface of the lead structure, and
- each electrode is configured to receive stimulation signals from at least one of the plurality of leads for stimulation of the phrenic nerve;
- and
- a control system programmed to select a pair of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes.
4 more elements
A system for stimulating a phrenic nerve of a patient, the system comprising:
- a signal generator to produce stimulation signals;
- a lead structure configured for insertion into a venous system of the patient, the lead structure having a plurality of leads to receive stimulation signals from the signal generator;
- a plurality of electrode pairs on the lead structure to receive stimulation signals from at least one of the plurality of leads for stimulation of the phrenic nerve;
- a breathing sensor configured to sense breathing of the patient, wherein the signal generator adjusts the stimulation signals based on the sensed breathing;
- and
- a control system programmed to select a pair of electrodes from the plurality of electrode pairs to stimulate the phrenic nerve, the pair of electrodes including two electrodes circumferentially spaced around a circumference of the lead structure, the two electrodes being aligned substantially parallel to the phrenic nerve.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.