Elliptical element for blood pressure reduction
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8923972-B2
Publication Date
2014-12-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for treating hypertension of a subject. The apparatus includes an implantable element which has a non-circular shape and which is configured to reduce the hypertension by facilitating an assumption of a non-circular shape by a blood vessel in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, during diastole of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an implantable hypertension-treatment apparatus and method using a non-circular implant element placed in a blood vessel near a baroreceptor. In one form, the implant element has an elliptical or other non-circular cross-sectional shape and is positioned so that, during diastole, the blood vessel assumes a more non-circular cross-sectional shape in the vicinity of the baroreceptor.
A flexible element having a non-circular cross-section is coupled to the carotid artery of the subject in a vicinity of a baroreceptor by implanting the flexible element within the carotid artery. The flexible element is configured to flex passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle, thereby facilitating an assumption of a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the carotid artery in the vicinity that is less circular than a shape of the carotid artery when the element is not coupled to the carotid artery.
The document also describes embodiments including single or multiple rings, optionally arranged with coupling by rods or placed on different sides relative to the baroreceptor, with passive flexing synchronized to the cardiac cycle. Additional embodiments describe optional control electronics for driving current toward the baroreceptor based on real-time or resting blood pressure and/or modulating ring eccentricity, as well as mechanical shaping using an elliptical balloon to adjust ring eccentricity.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim directed to a passive flexure method and multiple dependent claims that refine cardiac-phase shape differences, implant structure, relative positioning, multi-element spacing, and opposite-side element arrangements. The independent claim is grounded in coupling a flexibly passively flexing non-circular element to the carotid artery in a baroreceptor vicinity so that the artery assumes a less-circular cross-sectional shape in coordination with the cardiac cycle to reduce hypertension.
Coupling a flexible non-circular element to the carotid artery near the baroreceptor for passive flexure
Coupling a flexible element having a non-circular cross-section to a carotid artery of the subject in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, by implanting the flexible element within the carotid artery, the flexible element being configured to flex passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle.
Facilitating a less-circular artery cross-sectional shape during the cardiac cycle to reduce hypertension
Facilitating, with the flexible element, an assumption of a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the carotid artery in the vicinity that is less circular than a shape of the carotid artery in the vicinity when the element is not coupled to the carotid artery, wherein passive flexure of the flexible element in coordination with the cardiac cycle reduces hypertension of the subject.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on implanting a flexibly passively flexing non-circular element in the carotid artery near a baroreceptor, configured to flex with the cardiac cycle so the carotid artery cross-sectional shape becomes less circular in comparison to when the element is not coupled, thereby reducing hypertension.
Stated Advantages
Reduces hypertension of the subject.
Documented Applications
Hypertension treatment using an implantable apparatus/method involving a non-circular implant element coupled to the carotid artery near a baroreceptor.
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