Electrically induced vessel vasodilation
AssigneeGenetronics, Inc.
InventorsNagendu B. Dev, Sukhendu B. Dev, Gunter A. Hofmann
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Abstract
The invention provides methods for inducing or increasing the vasodilation of a vessel. The invention further provides methods for inducing or increasing the flow of fluid through a vessel. An electrical impulse is applied to the vessel in order to induce or increase vessel vasodilation or to induce or increase the flow of fluid through the vessel. In a particular embodiment, a novel double-balloon catheter system incorporating electroporation technology has been designed and is used to apply the electrical impulse endoluminally.
Claims12
A method far increasing flow of a fluid medium through a vessel in a subject comprising the steps of:
- (a) contracting the interior membrane of said vessel with a plurality of electrodes;
- (b) applying to at least a first electrode and a second electrode in said plurality of electrodes at least one electrical impulse of a sufficient voltage to cause the muscles surrounding the tissue comprising a lumen of the vessel to temporarily relax to allow the vessel to dilate and thereby increase the flow of a fluid medium through the vessel, wherein said vessel is selected from the group consisting of a blood vessel and a lymphatic vessel;
- and
- (c) determining that the flow of a fluid medium through said vessel has been increased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.