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US 7,783,362 B2Granted
Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials
AssigneeBoston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
InventorsTodd K. Whitehurst, James P. McGivern, Rafael Carbunaru, Matthew I. Haller, Tom Xiaohai He, Kerry Bradley
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Abstract
Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for vagus nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators), possibly with programmably configurable electrodes.
Claims14
A method of treating tachycardia by stimulating a vagus nerve, the method comprising:
- implanting an implantable stimulator comprising at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes comprising a leadless electrode, wherein the electrodes are disposed and configured for application of stimulation that generates unidirectionally propagating action potentials along a vagus nerve;
- and
- applying the stimulation to generate unidirectionally propagating action potentials in efferent fibers of the vagus nerve, thereby treating tachycardia while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation.
A method of treating tachycardia by stimulating a vagus nerve, the method comprising:
- implanting an implantable stimulator comprising at least two leadless electrodes, wherein the leadless electrodes are disposed and configured for application of stimulation that generates unidirectionally propagating action potentials along a vagus nerve;
- and
- applying the stimulation to generate unidirectionally propagating action potentials in efferent fibers of the vagus nerve, thereby treating tachycardia while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.