Patent · US Active

Implantable device for facilitating control of electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction

US8600505B2 · kind B2 · utility

146Cited by
148References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 2011
Grant dateDec 3, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/36114
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An implantable device for facilitating control of electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. A stimulation therapy lead includes helical electrodes configured to conform to an outer diameter of a cervical vagus nerve sheath, and a set of connector pins electrically connected to the helical electrodes. A neurostimulator includes an electrical receptacle into which the connector pins are securely and electrically coupled. The neurostimulator also includes a pulse generator configured to therapeutically stimulate the vagus nerve through the helical electrodes in alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition that are tuned to both efferently activate the heart's intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patient's central reflexes by triggering bi-directional action potentials. Finally, the neurostimulator includes a programmable switch configured to alter the triggering of the bi-directional action potentials in response to a magnetic signal received from outside the housing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.