Methods for selective treatment of renal sympathetic nerves
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsHarikrishna Tandri, Menekhem Zviman, Ronald D. Berger
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to device and method for electrically modulating the function of a sympathetic nerve that control sympathetic activity of the renal arteries in the human body. The method includes modifying neural fibers that regulate sympathetic activity of renal tissue to accentuate or attenuate function. The present invention also includes an apparatus for executing methods to regulate renal sympathetic activity via intravascular lumen.
Claims61
A method for treating a sympathetic nerve from inside the renal vein comprising:
- inserting an apparatus comprising a catheter comprising a plurality of electrodes, a radio-frequency energy generator, and a controller into a renal vein;
- and
- delivering energy to a predetermined set of electrodes linearly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that are in contact with a luminal wall of the renal vein directly adjacent to the sympathetic nerve.
A method of treating sympathetic nerves of both kidneys in a subject comprising the following steps:
- a) inserting an apparatus comprising a catheter having a plurality of electrodes, a radio-frequency energy generator, and a controller into a renal vein wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises a first set of electrodes and a second set of pacing electrodes;
- b) placing the second set of pacing electrodes in a renal artery;
- c) stimulating the renal artery with the second set of pacing electrodes to elicit a physiologic response;
- d) delivering energy from the first set of electrodes in a predetermined position linearly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that are in contact with a luminal wall of the renal vein directly adjacent to the sympathetic nerve to treat the sympathetic nerves of both kidneys;
- and
- e) confirming lack of response of the sympathetic nerves to the pacing.
A method for treating a sympathetic nerve from inside a renal vein comprising:
- using an apparatus including a catheter having a plurality of electrodes, a radio-frequency energy generator, and a controller;
- and
- delivering electrical energy to a predetermined set of electrodes linearly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that are in contact with a luminal wall of the renal vein adjacent the sympathetic nerve.
An apparatus for treating a sympathetic nerve from inside a body lumen comprising:
- a catheter having:
- a plurality of electrodes;
- a radio-frequency energy generator;
- and
- a controller configured to deliver electrical energy to a predetermined set of electrodes linearly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the catheter,
- wherein the electrodes are in contact with a luminal wall of a renal vein adjacent the sympathetic nerve.
The apparatus of 51 wherein the catheter further comprises a specific shape configured to engage the renal vein in a way that the electrodes align along a particular segment of the renal vein that is adjacent to the sympathetic nerve to be modulated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.