Apparatus and methods for assisted breathing by transvascular nerve stimulation
Inventors
Thakkar, Viral • Hoffer, Joaquin Andres • Tran, Bao Dung • Evans, Douglas G. • Nash, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12239838-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a catheter for transvascular electrical stimulation that uses a body defining at least one longitudinal lumen and a plurality of electrodes positioned radially outward of the lumen. An electrical field is generated by activation of electrodes such that the electrical field extends radially outward from only a portion of a circumference of the catheter.
The catheter includes an aperture corresponding to an electrode and a connection disposed in the aperture, and a flexible member including a plurality of leads separated by insulating material. A lead is electrically connected to the electrode through only the connection so that activation of selected electrodes yields a focused radially outward electrical field constrained by the catheter aperture/window geometry.
In implementations described for the catheter, proximal windows and distal windows and corresponding electrode sets, including proximal and distal electrode sets, are arranged so that stimulation is targeted to selected phrenic nerves. The document further describes electrode layouts using first and second rows positioned along different lengths of the catheter, including distal lengths that do not include an electrode at a first circumferential position, thereby shaping the circumferential portion of the electrical field.
The described system also includes a controller outside the catheter, an electronic chip configured to interface with the controller, and signal generator and sensors for operation and monitoring. The catheter is positioned and steered using a steering mechanism so electrode assemblies can be maintained in proximity to nerves and vessel walls, with optional barometric correction discussed for system operation.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover catheter structures that route electrical signals from a controller to radially outward electrodes through an aperture/connection, use insulated, separated leads in a flexible member, and cause an emitted electrical field to extend radially outward from only a portion of the catheter circumference. Additional claim scope is differentiated by specific electrode circumferential and longitudinal placement constraints across catheter lengths and by connection geometry for the lead-to-electrode electrical path.
Aperture-based connection for insulated leads to radially outward electrodes
A catheter includes a body defining at least one longitudinal lumen; a plurality of electrodes positioned radially outward of the at least one lumen; a flexible member including a plurality of leads separated by insulating material; an aperture corresponding to at least one first electrode; and a connection disposed in the aperture, wherein a lead of the plurality of leads is electrically connected to the at least one first electrode of the plurality of electrodes through only the connection.
Circumferentially limited emitted electrical field
Activation of at least two second electrodes of the plurality of electrodes generates an electrical field extending radially outward from only a portion of a circumference of the catheter.
Multiple electrode rows along different catheter lengths with circumferential omission
A catheter includes a plurality of electrodes positioned radially outward of the at least one lumen, including a first row of electrodes positioned along a first length of the catheter and a second row of electrodes positioned along a second length of the catheter, wherein the second length is distal to the first length; an aperture corresponding to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes; a connection disposed in the aperture; and a plurality of leads separated by insulating material; wherein the first row of electrodes has a first circumferential position on the catheter, and the second length of the catheter does not include an electrode at the first circumferential position.
External controller interface with on-catheter aperture/connection electrode feedthrough
A catheter includes a body defining a longitudinal lumen therein; a plurality of electrodes positioned radially outward of the lumen; a plurality of leads separated by insulating material; an aperture corresponding to a first electrode; and a connection disposed in the aperture, wherein a portion of the connection is transverse to the at least one longitudinal lumen; and a chip configured to interface with a controller, wherein the controller is external to the catheter, and the controller is configured to send electrical signals to one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
Emitted electrical field from only a portion of catheter circumference upon controller signal
Wherein a lead of the plurality of leads is electrically connected to the first electrode of the plurality of electrodes via the connection; and wherein, upon receipt of a signal from the controller, the first electrode is configured to emit an electrical field extending radially outward from only a portion of a circumference of the catheter.
Across the independent claims, the inventive scope centers on generating a radially outward electrical field that is limited to only a portion of the catheter circumference, achieved by routing insulated leads to radially outward electrodes through an aperture and connection, and further shaping electrode distribution via first and second row placement along different catheter lengths and circumferential omission on the distal length. One independent claim additionally emphasizes an external controller and a chip interface for sending electrical signals to the electrode feed arrangement.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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