Elliptical element for blood pressure reduction
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9550048-B2
Publication Date
2017-01-24
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
Described is an apparatus and approach for reducing hypertension by placing an implantable element near baroreceptors to change blood vessel geometry during the cardiac cycle. The document describes positioning an implantable non-circular, elliptical stent or ring so that it stretches a carotid artery in a vicinity of baroreceptors. The altered vessel geometry increases baroreceptor signaling and results in CNS-mediated blood pressure reduction.
The document states that the implanted element is configured to flex passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle, using non-circular or elliptical vessel-contacting regions with an eccentricity that corresponds to diastole and systole shapes. Embodiments include rigid or passively flexible rings, and configurations with multiple non-circular rings coupled by rods with longitudinal separation. The passive flexure treats hypertension with signals transmitted from the baroreceptors.
The document further describes optional control and adjustment features, including a control unit detecting real-time or resting blood pressure or cardiac cycle and driving current toward the baroreceptor via the ring and/or an electrode, or transiently modulating eccentricity using deforming elements such as a shaping balloon, including elliptical balloon variants, or piezoelectric or mechanical deforming elements. Additional optional embodiments include embolic protection using a distal mesh device during implantation.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include one independent method claim directed to treating a hypertension-related condition by stretching a carotid artery near baroreceptors using an implanted element with passive cardiac-cycle flexure. The inventive features emphasize three or more separate carotid regions, an implanted element with multiple longitudinal vessel-contacting regions and ends, and a spacing relationship during the cardiac cycle in which portions of the carotid do not contact the element.
Identifying a subject with a hypertension-related condition and treating with baroreceptor signals
Identifying a subject as suffering from a condition related to hypertension; and in response thereto treating the condition related to hypertension with signals transmitted from the baroreceptors, the treating including stretching a carotid artery in a vicinity of baroreceptors.
Stretching the carotid artery using forces applied to three or more separate regions via an implanted element
Stretching a carotid artery in a vicinity of baroreceptors by applying forces to the three or more separate regions, including placing an element inside the subject's carotid artery, the element defining three or more longitudinally extending vessel-contacting regions that apply the forces to the three or more separate regions, and the element comprising ends coupling the three or more longitudinally extending vessel contact regions extending therebetween.
Passive flexure in coordination with the cardiac cycle with non-contacting carotid portions between the regions
Configuring the placing such that, during at least a portion of a cardiac cycle, three or more corresponding portions of the carotid artery between the regions do not contact the element, and where passive flexure of the element in coordination with the cardiac cycle treats the condition related to hypertension with signals transmitted from the baroreceptors.
Across the independent claim, the main inventive coverage is directed to treating hypertension by stretching a carotid artery near baroreceptors using an implanted element that passively flexes in coordination with the cardiac cycle. The element applies forces to three or more separate carotid regions through multiple longitudinal vessel-contacting regions, and the claim requires that carotid portions between the regions do not contact the element during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle.
Stated Advantages
Treating a condition related to hypertension with signals transmitted from the baroreceptors.
Documented Applications
Treatment of a condition related to hypertension by stretching a carotid artery in a vicinity of baroreceptors.
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