Methods for renal neuromodulation
US8145317B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3627
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for treating hypertension, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.