Targeted inhibition of physiologic and pathologic processes

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 adjacent to a renal artery, comprising:
 a detector external to a patient to determine a location of the renal artery in a patient;   an ultrasound component to deliver therapeutic energy to the nerve; and   a modeling algorithm configured to control the ultrasound component to target regions on at least two sides of the renal artery;   wherein the modeling algorithm is configured to:
 determine a direction and an energy level of the therapeutic energy using the location of the renal artery and a position of the ultrasound component relative to the renal artery; and 
 generate an output for operating the ultrasound component, based on the determined location of the renal artery and the position of the ultrasound component relative to the renal artery, to create a lesion at the nerve. 
   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the modeling algorithm is configured to consider heat transfer due to convection from the artery. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the modeling algorithm is further configured to consider heat transfer due to conduction of heat in tissues surrounding the artery. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein a major axis of the lesion is longitudinal along a length of the artery. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the lesion comprises a circumferential lesion that at least partially surrounds a lumen of the artery. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the circumferential lesion comprises multiple lesions that collectively form the circumferential lesion. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a fiducial, locatable by the detector from outside the patient, the fiducial configured to be temporarily placed in the renal artery of the patient. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the modeling algorithm is further configured to repeat the act of determining the direction and the energy level, and the act of generating the output, to create one or more additional lesions. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the lesion and the one or more additional lesions are at different respective sides of the renal artery. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the lesion and the one or more additional lesions collectively form a circumferential lesion around a lumen of the renal artery. 
     
     
         30 . A method of inhibiting a function of a nerve traveling adjacent to a renal artery, comprising:
 placing a therapeutic ultrasound energy source external to a patient;   calculating power and phase for the therapeutic energy source, wherein the power and the phase are calculated in consideration of a position of the therapeutic ultrasound energy source and a position of the renal artery;   delivering first therapeutic ultrasound energy from the therapeutic energy source, through a skin of the patient, to a first region on a first side at a adventitial region of the artery; and   delivering second therapeutic ultrasound energy from the therapeutic energy source, through the skin of the patient, to a second region on a second side at the adventitial region of the artery.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the position of the renal artery is in the renal artery;   the method further comprises determining the position of the artery using a fiducial that is internal to the patient; and   the act of delivering the first therapeutic energy is performed based on the determined position of the renal artery.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the fiducial is a catheter placed in the artery of the patient. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the act of calculating the power and the phase considers heat transfer due to convection from the artery. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the act of calculating the power and the phase further considers heat transfer due to conduction of heat in tissues surrounding the artery. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first therapeutic energy from the therapeutic ultrasound energy source is delivered in a distribution along a length of the artery.