US5707400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treating refractory hypertension by nerve stimulation
Assignee: Livanova USA Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-19
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Granted: 1998-01-13
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Expires: 2015-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating patients suffering from refractory hypertension includes identifying a patient suffering from the disorder and applying a stimulating electrical signal to the patient's vagus nerve predetermined to modulate the electrical activity of the nerve and to alleviate the hypertension. The step of applying the stimulation may be performed manually by the patient, or automatically following detection of the hypertension by sensing the patient's blood pressure, or, preferably by continuous or periodic application without use of a sensor. The stimulating signal is a pulse waveform with programmable signal parameter values including pulse width, output current, frequency, on time and off time.
Inventors
- 👤 Reese S. Terry, Jr.
- 👤 Ross G. Baker, Jr.
- 👤 Andre Marquette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36564; A61N1/3605; A61N1/36053; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36114; A61N1/36117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of treating patients suffering from refractory hypertension, comprising the steps of: implanting a neurostimulating device constructed and arranged to generate a stimulating electrical signal as an output thereof in the body of the patient operative to sense a prescribed event indicative of an imminent need for treatment of the refractory hypertension, said prescribed event being the patient's blood pressure exceeding a programmed threshold level, the step of implanting including connecting said output directly to the vagus nerve of the patient for application of said stimulating electrical signal thereto, and programming the device to automatically respond to the sensed occurrence of the prescribed event with application of a stimulating electrical signal having programmed electrical parameters to the patient's vagus nerve to modulate the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner to alleviate the refractory hypertension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of treating patients suffering from refractory hypertension, comprising the steps of: implanting a neurostimulating device constructed and arranged to generate a stimulating electrical signal as an output thereof in the body of the patient operative to sense a prescribed event indicative of an imminent need for treatment of the refractory hypertension, said prescribed event being the patient's blood pressure exceeding a programmed threshold level, the step of implanting including connecting said output directly to the vagus nerve of the patient for application of said stimulating electrical signal thereto, and programming the device to automatically respond to the sensed occurrence of the prescribed event with application of a stimulating electrical signal having programmed electrical parameters to the patient's vagus nerve to modulate the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner to alleviate the refractory hypertension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further including: providing a capability for manual activation of the device by the patient upon sensing symptoms of refractory hypertension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further including: programming the device to produce a periodic stimulating electrical signal to modulate electrical activity of the vagus nerve according to the patient's circadian rhythm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the predetermined stimulating electrical signal is a pulse waveform with signal parameters programmed to modulate electrical activity of the vagus nerve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4, including: programming parameter values of the pulse waveform, including pulse width, output current, frequency, on time and off time before application of the stimulating electrical signal to the vagus nerve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, including: applying said stimulating signal to the patient's vagus nerve by connecting said output of the device to a nerve electrode implanted on the vagus nerve at a site in the patient's neck.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of treating a patient suffering from refractory hypertension in which a medical therapeutic device is implanted in the patient's body, comprising the device-implemented steps of: detecting elevated blood pressure of the patient as indicating a need to initiate treatment to alleviate the hypertension, and after detecting the elevated blood pressure, applying an electrical stimulus directly to the patient's vagus nerve, said stimulus being configured to modulate the electrical activity of the nerve such that the hypertension is alleviated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of treating a patient suffering from refractory hypertension in which a medical therapeutic device is implanted in the patient's body, comprising the device-implemented steps of: detecting elevated blood pressure of the patient as indicating a need to initiate treatment to alleviate the hypertension, and after detecting the elevated blood pressure, applying an electrical stimulus directly to the patient's vagus nerve, said stimulus being configured to modulate the electrical activity of the nerve such that the hypertension is alleviated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting step is performed by sensing blood pressure by means of a pressure detector wrapped on the upper arm of the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting step is performed by sensing electrical impedance changes with undulations of blood pressure at a site adjacent an artery of the patient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the electrical stimulus is configured as a pulsed signal by programming parameters of the signal including on-time, off-time, frequency, pulse width, and current.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-12 | 2001-07-14 | 2002-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-12 | 2005-07-14 | 2006-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-12 | 2009-07-14 | 2010-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |