Renal Nerve Stimulation Method for Treatment of Patients

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently implanted or catheter based.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for reducing blood pressure in a human patient, the method comprising:
 implanting a neural stimulation device in the patient below the patient's skin and adjacent to a target innervated region of the patient that contributes to renal function; and   delivering generated stimulation signals from the neural stimulation device to the target innervated region of the patient, thereby altering the naturally occurring electrical signals propagating through the innervated region,   wherein delivering the generated stimulation signals to the target innervated region of the patient results in a therapeutically beneficial reduction in blood pressure of the patient.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein delivering the generated stimulation signals from the neural stimulation device to the target innervated region comprises delivering intermittent stimulation. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein:
 implanting a neural stimulation device in the patient comprises implanting a device comprising a power source, microcircuitry, a housing enclosing the power source and microcircuitry, and one or more external electrodes; and 
 delivering generated stimulation signals from the neural stimulation device to the target innervated region comprises delivering the stimulation signals via the one or more electrodes. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein delivering the stimulation signals via the one or more electrodes comprises delivering the stimulation signals in a unipolar fashion. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the neural stimulation device comprises two electrodes, and wherein delivering the stimulation signals via the two electrodes comprises delivering the stimulation signals in a bipolar fashion. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the delivered stimulation signal is selected from at least two different levels of stimulation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein altering the naturally occurring electrical signals comprises attenuating the electrical signals through the innervated region. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein implanting a neural stimulation device in the patient below the patient's skin and adjacent to a target innervated region of the patient comprises implanting the neural stimulation device at least proximate renal nerves of the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein delivering generated stimulation signals from the neural stimulation device to the target innervated region of the patient comprises decreasing renal sympathetic nerve activity of the patient. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising monitoring at least one condition of the patient with a sensor. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising transmitting information regarding a monitored physiologic parameter from the sensor to a device located outside of the patient. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the monitored physiologic parameter comprises at least one of blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the monitored physiologic parameter is indicative of renal activity. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21  wherein implanting a neural stimulation device in the patient below the patient's skin and adjacent to a target innervated region of the patient comprising positioning the neural stimulation device adjacent to renal nerves of the patient. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the neural stimulation device further comprises a lead, and wherein implanting the neural stimulation device in the patient comprises implanting the device such that the lead is attached to or at least proximate renal nerves of the patient.