Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating heart conditions

Abstract

Apparatus is provided that includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of a subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject. Also provided is a method comprising applying to a vagus nerve of a subject a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject.

1 - 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A method for treating a subject, comprising:
 identifying that the subject suffers from a condition selected from the group consisting of: atrial arrhythmia, and atrial arrhythmia combined with heart failure; and   treating the condition by:   driving, by a control unit, application of a current to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad,   configuring the current so as to treat the condition, and   driving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to apply energy to a heart of the subject, the ICD being in communication with the control unit that drives the application of the current.   
     
     
         82 . A method for treating a subject, comprising:
 identifying that the subject suffers from atrial arrhythmia; and   treating the atrial arrhythmia by:
 applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad, and 
 configuring the current to control a heart rate during atrial arrhythmia. 
   
     
     
         83 . The method according to  claim 82 , wherein applying the current comprises synchronizing the application of the current with a cardiac cycle of the subject. 
     
     
         84 . The method according to  claim 82 , comprising driving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to apply energy to a heart of the subject, the ICD being in communication with a control unit that drives the application of the current. 
     
     
         85 . The method according to  claim 82 , comprising driving an implantable pacemaker to apply energy to a heart of the subject, the pacemaker being in communication with a control unit that drives the application of the current. 
     
     
         86 . The method according to  claim 82 , wherein identifying comprises identifying that the subject suffers from the atrial arrhythmia combined with heart failure, and wherein treating comprises treating the atrial arrhythmia combined with the heart failure. 
     
     
         87 . A treatment method, comprising:
 identifying that a subject suffers from a heart condition; and   treating the heart condition by:   applying a current to a vagus nerve of the subject, and   configuring the current to increase coronary blood flow.   
     
     
         88 . The method according to  claim 87 , wherein the heart condition includes variant angina, and wherein identifying comprises identifying that the subject suffers from the variant angina. 
     
     
         89 . The method according to  claim 87 , wherein applying the current comprises receiving an override signal generated by the subject, and applying the current responsively to the override signal. 
     
     
         90 . Apparatus comprising:
 an electrode device, configured to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject; and   a control unit, configured to:   receive a subject-generated override signal indicative of variant angina, and   responsively to the override signal, apply a current to the vagus nerve, and to configure the current to treat the variant angina.   
     
     
         91 . The apparatus according to  claim 90 , and comprising an external magnet, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the subject-generated override signal generated using the external magnet. 
     
     
         92 . The apparatus according to  claim 90 , wherein the control unit is configured to configure the current to increase coronary blood flow, so as to treat the variant angina. 
     
     
         93 . A treatment method comprising:
 identifying that a subject suffers from a variant angina; and   treating the variant angina by applying a current to a vagus nerve of the subject responsively to receiving an override signal from the subject.   
     
     
         94 . The method according to  claim 93 , wherein treating the variant angina comprises configuring the current to increase coronary blood flow. 
     
     
         95 . The method according to  claim 93 , wherein receiving the override signal comprises receiving the override signal generated by the subject using an external magnet.