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Publication Number
US-8862243-B2
Publication Date
2014-10-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatus (20) is provided, including a bifurcation stent (50) comprising one or more electrodes (32), the stent (50) configured to be placed in a primary passage (52) and a secondary passage (54) of a blood vessel (30), and a control unit (34), configured to drive the electrodes (32) to apply a signal to a wall (36) of the blood vessel (30), and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall (36). Other embodiments are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for applying electrical signals to a blood vessel wall to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall. In an artery, the apparatus configures the electrical signal to implement counterpulsation in relation to a cardiac cycle, by driving electrodes to apply a systolic electrical signal during at least a commencement of systole to induce increased NO secretion so that the artery stores energy by the wall dilating.
The apparatus withholds the electrodes from applying the systolic signal to the wall during at least a portion of diastole. In this way, during at least the portion of diastole, the wall of the artery releases the stored energy.
In related embodiments, the apparatus includes electrodes placed in a vicinity of an artery or at a blood vessel bifurcation, including a bifurcation stent and electrodes arranged to apply the signal to a wall of a blood vessel. The invention also includes therapeutic outcomes tied to the increased NO secretion, including reducing platelet aggregation in a vicinity of the blood vessel wall or inside the blood vessel.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes five independent claim groups. Across these independent claims, the inventive features consistently include increasing NO secretion by applying a signal to a blood vessel wall and applying counterpulsation to an artery by applying a systolic signal followed by withholding during diastole to enable wall energy storage and release; additional coverage includes reducing platelet aggregation and a bifurcation stent embodiment.
Bifurcation stent with counterpulsation for wall NO secretion
A bifurcation stent comprising one or more electrodes configured to be placed in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel; and a control unit configured to drive the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel and to configure the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall, wherein the blood vessel includes an artery and the control unit is configured to drive the electrodes to apply counterpulsation to the artery by applying a systolic electrical signal during at least a commencement of systole and withholding the systolic signal during at least a portion of diastole.
Counterpulsation apparatus using wall NO secretion
One or more electrodes adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the artery; and a control unit configured to apply counterpulsation to the artery by applying a systolic electrical signal during at least a commencement of systole, configuring the systolic signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall, and withholding the electrodes from applying the systolic signal during at least a portion of diastole.
Method with bifurcation stent placing and counterpulsation for wall NO secretion
Placing a bifurcation stent including one or more electrodes in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel; driving the electrodes to apply a signal to a wall of the blood vessel and configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall, wherein the blood vessel includes an artery, and applying counterpulsation to the artery by applying a systolic electrical signal during at least a commencement of systole and withholding applying the systolic signal during at least a portion of diastole.
Counterpulsation method using wall NO secretion
Applying a systolic electrical signal to a wall of the artery during at least a commencement of systole; configuring the systolic signal to induce an increase in nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall such that during at least the commencement of systole the artery stores energy by the wall of the artery dilating; and withholding applying the systolic signal during at least a portion of diastole such that during the at least a portion of diastole the wall of the artery releases the stored energy.
Platelet aggregation reduction by electrode signal with artery counterpulsation
One or more electrodes configured to be placed on a wall of a blood vessel; and a control unit configured to reduce platelet aggregation in a vicinity of the blood vessel wall by driving the electrodes to apply a signal to the blood vessel wall and configuring the signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall, wherein the blood vessel includes an artery and the control unit is further configured to apply counterpulsation to the artery by applying a systolic electrical signal during at least a commencement of systole and withholding the systolic signal during at least a portion of diastole.
The claim set centers on electrode-driven signals that increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by a blood vessel wall, with artery counterpulsation implemented by applying a systolic electrical signal at least at the commencement of systole and withholding the signal during at least a portion of diastole for wall energy storage and release. Additional coverage includes reducing platelet aggregation and a bifurcation stent embodiment.
Stated Advantages
Increased nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.
Energy storage by the artery wall during at least the commencement of systole by dilating.
Energy release by the artery wall during at least a portion of diastole.
Reduction of platelet aggregation in a vicinity of the blood vessel wall.
Documented Applications
Treating or reducing platelet aggregation in a vicinity of a blood vessel wall or inside the blood vessel by configuring a signal to increase nitric oxide (NO) secretion by the wall.
Applying counterpulsation to an artery by driving electrodes with a systolic electrical signal during at least the commencement of systole and withholding during at least a portion of diastole.
Use of electrodes with a bifurcation stent configured to be placed in a primary passage and a secondary passage of a blood vessel.
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