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US 9,539,427 B2Granted
Methods for improving heart function
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsDavid Kass, Gordon Tomaselli, Jonathan Kirk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides methods related to improving heart function.
Claims14
A device for treating heart failure, comprising:
- a power source;
- an atrial stimulation electrode;
- a ventricular stimulation electrode;
- and
- a controller that is:
- operably connected to the power source and to the stimulation electrodes;
- configured to receive a signal indicative of atrial electrical activity;
- and
- programmed to:
- monitor the signal to detect an atrial heart rate;
- operate the device in a normal pacing mode, for which the controller is programmed to cause the atrial stimulation electrode to depolarize atrial tissue if the atrial heart rate is below a predetermined limit;
- periodically transiently operate the device in a dyssynchrony-inducing mode, for which the controller is programmed to cause the ventricular stimulation electrode to depolarize ventricular tissue at a single site with a delay relative to atrial electrical activity shorter than a normal atrioventricular conduction delay;
- alternate between the normal pacing mode and the dyssynchrony-inducing mode in a cycle;
- and
- have a cycle length of at least one month.
12 more elements
A device for treating heart failure, comprising:
- a power source;
- an atrial stimulation electrode;
- a ventricular stimulation electrode;
- and
- a controller that is:
- operably connected to the power source and to the stimulation electrodes;
- configured to receive a signal indicative of atrial electrical activity;
- and
- programmed to:
- monitor the signal to detect an atrial heart rate;
- operate the device in a normal pacing mode, for which the controller is programmed to cause the atrial stimulation electrode to depolarize atrial tissue if the atrial heart rate is below a predetermined limit;
- operate the device in a dyssynchrony-inducing mode, for which the controller is programmed to cause the ventricular stimulation electrode to depolarize ventricular tissue at a single site with a delay relative to atrial electrical activity shorter than a normal atrioventricular conduction delay;
- and
- periodically apply the dyssynchrony-inducing mode for a period of time of at least a few hours sufficient to stimulate molecular signaling changes that are subsequently modified by reinstating normal pacing.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.