Selective stimulation to modulate the sympathetic nervous system

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of a variety of medical conditions by directly neuromodulating a target anatomy associated with the condition while minimizing or excluding undesired neuromodulation of other anatomies. Typically, the target anatomy includes one or more dorsal root ganglia, dorsal roots, dorsal root entry zones, or portions thereof. Such target stimulation areas are utilized due in part to their effect on the sympathetic nervous system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating myocardial ischemia in a patient by modulating a neural pathway in the sympathetic nervous system, comprising:
 identifying myocardial ischemia in the patient;   positioning at least one electrode in close proximity to a dorsal root ganglion of the patient upstream of at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain, wherein the dorsal root ganglion is located within T2 to T6 spinal segments; and   treating myocardial ischemia in the patient by increasing blood flow in the coronary vascular system through provision of electrical pulses to the at least one electrode so as to directly neuromodulate the dorsal root ganglion in a manner that influences a condition associated with the at least one ganglion of the sympathetic nerve chain while excluding neuromodulation of an associated ventral root.