Methods and devices to modulate the autonomic nervous system with ultrasound

Abstract

In some embodiments, sympathetic nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some embodiments, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some embodiments, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system to inhibit a function of a nerve traveling with a renal artery comprising:
 an ultrasound component to deliver therapeutic ultrasonic energy to the nerve surrounding the renal artery; and   a processor running a modeling algorithm configured to determine a direction and an energy level of the therapeutic ultrasound energy using a position of the ultrasound component;   wherein the processor running the modeling algorithm is configured to consider heat transfer due to blood flow in the renal artery, and generate an output for operating the ultrasound component to create multiple lesions at the nerve forming an annulus around the renal artery.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the multiple lesions form a circumferential lesion around the renal artery. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising an intravascular catheter for placement in the renal artery. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the catheter provides temperature information for the modeling algorithm. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the intravascular catheter comprises an ultrasound component and a cooling element. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the intravascular catheter comprises an expandable balloon for centering the catheter in the renal artery. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a temperature sensor on the intravascular catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a motion detection element on the catheter, wherein the motion detection element is configured to provide an input for the processor running the modeling algorithm. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor is configured to dynamically adjust the direction and the energy level of the therapeutic ultrasound energy in real time based on a moving target location. 
     
     
         29 . A system to inhibit autonomic nerves surrounding a renal artery comprising:
 an intravascular ultrasound catheter comprising an ultrasound component, the ultrasound component configured to deliver focused or unfocused ultrasound energy to multiple positions around a lumen of the renal artery; and   a processor running a modeling algorithm configured to determine an energy level of the ultrasound energy;   wherein the processor running the modeling algorithm is configured to consider heat transfer due to blood flow in the renal artery, and generate an output for operating the ultrasound component to create multiple lesions forming an annulus around the renal artery.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the intravascular ultrasound catheter further comprises a cooling element. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the intravascular ultrasound catheter further comprises an expandable balloon for centering the intravascular ultrasound catheter. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a temperature sensor on the intravascular ultrasound catheter. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a motion detection element on the intravascular ultrasound catheter, wherein the motion detection element is configured to provide an input for the processor running the modeling algorithm. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the processor is also configured to determine a direction of the ultrasound energy. 
     
     
         35 . A system to inhibit autonomic nerve surrounding a renal artery, comprising:
 an intravascular catheter to deliver therapeutic ultrasonic energy to the nerve surrounding the renal artery; and   a processor running a modeling algorithm to determine an energy level of the therapeutic ultrasound energy, wherein the processor running the modeling algorithm is configured to consider heat transfer due to blood flow in the renal artery using a heat transfer model, and generate an output for operating the ultrasound component to create multiple lesions forming an annulus around the renal artery; and   an external device to image a region surrounding the renal artery, wherein the heat transfer model is configured to obtain an input derived from the imaged region.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the external device comprises a magnetic resonance machine. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the external device comprises an ultrasound machine. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the modeling algorithm includes information regarding a lesion size. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the input comprises temperature information. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the ultrasound component is configured to maintain a temperature for one or more of the lesions above 60° C. for a duration. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the ultrasound component is configured to maintain a temperature for one or more of the lesions between 40° C. and 60° C. for a duration. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the processor is also configured to determine a direction of the therapeutic ultrasound energy.