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US 8,457,761 B2Granted
System and method for promoting diuresis and natriuresis by the application of electric fields to the kidney
AssigneeCardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
InventorRamesh Wariar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method of applying an electric field to the kidney of a subject can reduce renal salt and water retention through the process of electrophoresis. The system includes a first and a second electrode, at least of which is implantably associated with the kidney. The electric field can be controlled to affect the removal of a first constituent (e.g. sodium) from the kidney while the level of a second constituent (e.g. potassium) is maintained within normal physiological range.
Claims22
A system comprising:
- a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is implantably associated with a kidney of a subject;
- an electric field generator circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to generate an electric field;
- and
- a controller circuit coupled to the electric field generator circuit and configured to control the electric field between the first and second electrodes, such that, through a process of electrophoresis, an electrophoretic gradient is produced to cause a net migration of a first constituent from a peritubular capillary of the kidney to a tubule associated with the peritubular capillary, wherein the first constituent is removed from the subject and a second constituent is maintained within a specified physiological range.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- applying an electric field to a subject using a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode being implantably associated with a kidney of the subject;
- and
- controlling the electric field between the first and second electrodes, such that, through a process of electrophoresis, an electrophoretic gradient is produced to cause a net migration of a first constituent from a peritubular capillary of the kidney to a tubule associated with the peritubular capillary, wherein the first constituent is removed from the subject and a second constituent is maintained within a specified physiological range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.