Elliptical element for blood pressure reduction
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9457174-B2
Publication Date
2016-10-04
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 treating a disease related to hypertension of a subject by using baroreceptors and a central nervous system responsive to the baroreceptors. It provides a passive flexible element having a non-circular cross-section for implantation in a blood vessel vicinity of the baroreceptors.
The passive flexible element includes a first non-circular flexible end element and a second non-circular flexible end element coupled with three or more rods extending therebetween. When coupled to a carotid artery by implanting the passive flexible element within the carotid artery, the passive flexible element flexes passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle and facilitates an assumption of a non-circular cross-sectional shape that is less circular than when the passive flexible element is not coupled.
Passive flexure of the first non-circular flexible end element and the second non-circular flexible end element in coordination with the cardiac cycle stimulates the baroreceptors to transmit signals to the central nervous system and treats the disease related to hypertension. The described embodiments further include flexible elements that flex passively with the cardiac cycle, multiple non-circular rings coupled by rods, and optional control of baroreceptor firing by detecting real-time blood pressure with a control unit to drive current via the element or an electrode and/or transiently modulating eccentricity.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim (a hypertension-treatment method). The independent claim is directed to implanting a passive flexible, non-circular cross-section element into the carotid artery near baroreceptors, where passive flexure in coordination with the cardiac cycle stimulates baroreceptor signaling to the central nervous system. The main inventive features below correspond to the core elements of the independent claim and its directly stated constraints.
Passive flexible non-circular element with end elements coupled by rods
providing a passive flexible element having a non-circular cross-section, the passive flexible element comprising a first non-circular flexible end element and a second non-circular flexible end element, the first non-circular flexible end element coupled to the second non-circular flexible end element with three or more rods extending therebetween
Implanting a non-circular passive flexible element into the carotid artery near baroreceptors
coupling the passive flexible element having the non-circular cross-section to a carotid artery of the subject in a vicinity of the baroreceptors of the subject, by implanting the passive flexible element within the carotid artery, the passive flexible element being configured to flex passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle
Facilitating a less-circular carotid cross-sectional shape during cardiac-cycle-coordinated flexure
facilitating, with the passive 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 passive flexible element is not coupled to the carotid artery
Stimulation of baroreceptors to transmit signals to the central nervous system to treat hypertension-related disease
wherein passive flexure of the first non-circular flexible end element and the second non-circular flexible end element in coordination with the cardiac cycle of the subject stimulates the baroreceptors to transmit signals to the central nervous system and treats the disease related to hypertension
Overall, the claim coverage centers on treating a disease related to hypertension by implanting a passive flexible element with a non-circular cross-section into the carotid artery near baroreceptors. The element passively flexes in coordination with the cardiac cycle to facilitate a less-circular carotid cross-sectional shape, thereby stimulating baroreceptors to transmit signals to the central nervous system.
Stated Advantages
Treats a disease related to hypertension by stimulating baroreceptors to transmit signals to the central nervous system.
Documented Applications
Implantable hypertension-treatment by coupling a passive flexible non-circular element to a carotid artery in a vicinity of baroreceptors to enhance baroreceptor signaling to the central nervous system.
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