U.S. patent application number 13/361019 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for renal nerve stimulation method for treatment of patients.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ardian, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark Gelfand, Howard R. LEVIN.
Application Number | 20120130345 13/361019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40338859 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120130345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEVIN; Howard R. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2012 |
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.
Inventors: |
LEVIN; Howard R.; (Teaneck,
NJ) ; Gelfand; Mark; (New York, NY) |
Assignee: |
Ardian, Inc.
Palo Alto
CA
|
Family ID: |
40338859 |
Appl. No.: |
13/361019 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
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Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11688178 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
8131372 |
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13361019 |
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11144173 |
Jun 3, 2005 |
7647115 |
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11688178 |
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10408665 |
Apr 8, 2003 |
7162303 |
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11144173 |
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60370190 |
Apr 8, 2002 |
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60415575 |
Oct 3, 2002 |
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60442970 |
Jan 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/506 ;
604/500; 604/523; 604/93.01; 606/41; 607/2; 607/62; 607/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/00434
20130101; A61N 1/40 20130101; A61B 2018/00577 20130101; A61N 1/0551
20130101; A61M 5/14276 20130101; A61N 1/05 20130101; A61M 5/1723
20130101; A61N 1/3627 20130101; A61N 1/36114 20130101; A61N 1/403
20130101; A61N 1/326 20130101; A61B 18/04 20130101; A61N 5/00
20130101; A61M 2210/1082 20130101; A61B 2018/00511 20130101; A61M
1/3627 20130101; A61N 1/36007 20130101; A61B 2018/00404 20130101;
A61M 5/142 20130101; A61N 1/36117 20130101; A61N 1/36135 20130101;
A61N 1/36125 20130101; A61B 18/1492 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/506 ; 607/2;
604/500; 607/72; 607/62; 606/41; 604/523; 604/93.01 |
International
Class: |
A61N 1/36 20060101
A61N001/36; A61M 25/00 20060101 A61M025/00; A61B 18/12 20060101
A61B018/12; A61M 5/14 20060101 A61M005/14; A61M 31/00 20060101
A61M031/00; A61N 1/372 20060101 A61N001/372 |
Claims
1. A method for treating a human patient comprising: a. positioning
a nerve stimulation device adjacent to a renal nerve of at least
one kidney of the patient, and b. at least partially blocking the
renal nerve of the kidney.
2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
an electrode, and the electrode is positioned surgically in the
patient.
3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is a
drug delivery device, and the device is positioned surgically in
the patient.
4. A method as in claim 1 where the nerve stimulation device is
placed in a renal vein of the kidney.
5. A method as in claim 1 where the nerve stimulation device is
placed in a renal artery of the kidney.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is a
cuff placed around a renal artery of the kidney.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
implanted in the patient.
8. The method as in claim 1 wherein afferent fibers of the renal
nerve are blocked and efferent fibers are not blocked.
9. The method as in claim 1 wherein efferent fibers of the renal
nerve are blocked and afferent fibers are not blocked.
10. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking the renal
nerve is accomplished by a block selected from a group consisting
of an anodal block, a cathodal block and a collision block.
11. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking the renal
nerve is accomplished by overpacing the nerve.
12. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking is
accomplished by continuous infusion of an anesthetic drug to the
nerve.
13. A method as in claim 1 further comprising monitoring blood
pressure of the patient, and adjusting a level of blocking in
response to said blood pressure.
14. A method as in claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
a catheter.
15. A method as in claim 1 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
a lead with multiple electrode.
16. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking is
accomplished by the injection of a neurotoxin.
17. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking is
accomplished by ablation of the renal nerve.
18. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of blocking is
accomplished by cooling of the renal nerve.
19. A method as in claim 1 applied to a patient suffering from at
least one of heart failure, chronic renal failure and
hypertension.
20. A method to stimulate a renal nerve in a mammalian patient
comprising: a. positioning a nerve stimulation device proximate a
renal nerve of a kidney of the patient; b. applying a stimulation
signal with the device to the renal nerve, and c. at least
partially blocking the renal nerve by application of the
stimulation signal.
21. A method as in claim 20 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
an electrode, and the stimulation signal is an electrical current
applied by the electrode to the renal nerve.
22. A method as in claim 20 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
a drug delivery device and the stimulation signal is a nerve
blocking drug applied to the renal nerve.
23. A method as in claim 20 wherein the nerve stimulation device is
coupled to a renal blood vessel proximate the renal nerve.
24. A method as in claims 20 wherein the nerve stimulation device
is a cuff applied to a renal blood vessel proximate the renal
nerve, and the cuff applies a stimulation signal to the renal
nerve.
25. A method for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic renal
nerve signals comprising: a. positioning at least one electrode
proximate to a renal nerve of a mammalian patient; b. applying an
electrical current to the electrode with an electric controller to
stimulate the renal nerve to at least reduce signal traffic in
sympathetic efferent renal nerve fibers, and c. said controller
regulating the current applied to the electrode based on at least
one condition of the patient being monitored by a sensor.
26. A method as in claim 25 wherein the controller monitors blood
pressure in the patient and the sensor is a blood pressure
sensor.
27. A method as in claim 25 wherein the controller monitors blood
oxygen in the patient and the sensor is a blood oxygen sensor.
28. An apparatus for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic
comprising: a nerve stimulation device to be placed proximate to a
renal nerve of the patient and said device adapted to stimulate the
renal nerve, and a nerve stimulator activating the stimulation
device to stimulate the renal nerve.
29. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein the stimulation device is
an electrode and said stimulator is a controller that applies an
electrical current to the electrode.
30. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein the stimulation device is a
drug delivery catheter insertable into a renal blood vessel, and
said stimulator is a drug dispenser coupled to said catheter.
31. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising a patient sensor
connectable to said stimulator, wherein said stimulator receives a
signal from the sensor indicative of a condition of the patient and
controls the activation of the stimulation device based on said
signal.
32. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said sensor is a blood
pressure sensor and said condition is a blood pressure level of the
patient.
33. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said sensor is a blood
oxygen sensor and said condition is a blood oxygen level of the
patient.
34. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein the said stimulator
dispenses drug an anesthetic drug periodically into the said
catheter.
35. An apparatus for reducing abnormally elevated sympathetic
comprising: a nerve stimulation device positionable proximate to a
renal blood vessel of the patient and said device adapted to
stimulate a renal nerve adjacent the vessel, and a nerve stimulator
activating the stimulation device to stimulate the renal nerve.
36. A nerve stimulation device implantable in a mammalian patient
comprising: an implantable stimulator, an implantable lead
connected to said stimulator, an implanted nerve stimulation cuff
connectable to said lead and adapted to receive signals generated
by the stimulator, wherein said cuff at least partially envelopes
an artery.
37. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 36 wherein said cuff is
at least partially attached to an external surface of an artery
38. A nerve stimulation device comprising: a stimulator implantable
into a mammalian patient, a nerve stimulation cuff in communication
with said stimulator to receive a nerve stimulation signal for the
stimulator, and said cuff adapted to be implanted into the patient
and positioned proximate to an outer surface of an artery of the
patient, wherein said cuff stimulates a nerve adjacent the artery
when activated by the nerve stimulation signal.
39. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 38 wherein said cuff is
adapted to at least partially envelopes the said artery.
40. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 38 wherein said cuff
dispenses a drug to the artery and the stimulator is a drug
dispensing device.
41. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 38 wherein said
stimulator is an electrostimulator.
42. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 38 wherein said cuff
includes electrodes.
43. A nerve stimulation device as in claim 38 further comprising a
catheter lead extending from the stimulator to the cuff.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related and claims priority to the
following commonly-owned provisional application Ser. No.
60/370,190, entitled "Modulation Of Renal Nerve To Treat CHF", that
was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Apr.
8, 2002; Ser. No. 60/415,575 entitled "Modulation Of Renal Nerve To
Treat CHF", that was filed in the USPTO on Oct. 3, 2002, and Ser.
No. 60/442,970 entitled "Treatment Of Renal Failure And
Hypertension", that was filed in the USPTO on Jan. 29, 2003. The
entirety of each of these provisional applications is incorporated
by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to methods and apparatus for
treatment of congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure and
hypertension by nerve stimulation. In particular, the invention
relates to the improvement of these conditions of patients by
blocking signals to the renal (kidney) nerve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The Heart Failure Problem:
[0004] Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a form of heart disease
still increasing in frequency. According to the American Heart
Association, CHF is the "Disease of the Next Millennium". The
number of patients with CHF is expected to grow even more
significantly as an increasing number of the "Baby Boomers" reach
50 years of age. CHF is a condition that occurs when the heart
becomes damaged and reduces blood flow to the organs of the body.
If blood flow decreases sufficiently, kidney function becomes
impaired and results in fluid retention, abnormal hormone
secretions and increased constriction of blood vessels. These
results increase the workload of the heart and further decrease the
capacity of the heart to pump blood through the kidney and
circulatory system. This reduced capacity further reduces blood
flow to the kidney, which in turn further reduces the capacity of
the blood. It is believed that the progressively-decreasing
perfusion of the kidney is the principal non-cardiac cause
perpetuating the downward spiral of the "Vicious Cycle of CHF".
Moreover, the fluid overload and associated clinical symptoms
resulting from these physiologic changes are predominant causes for
excessive hospital admissions, terrible quality of life and
overwhelming costs to the health care system due to CHF.
[0005] While many different diseases may initially damage the
heart, once present, CHF is split into two types: Chronic CHF and
Acute (or Decompensated-Chronic) CHF. Chronic Congestive Heart
Failure is a longer term, slowly progressive, degenerative disease.
Over years, chronic congestive heart failure leads to cardiac
insufficiency. Chronic CHF is clinically categorized by the
patient's ability to exercise or perform normal activities of daily
living (such as defined by the New York Heart Association
Functional Class). Chronic CHF patients are usually managed on an
outpatient basis, typically with drugs.
[0006] Chronic CHF patients may experience an abrupt, severe
deterioration in heart function, termed Acute Congestive Heart
Failure, resulting in the inability of the heart to maintain
sufficient blood flow and pressure to keep vital organs of the body
alive. These acute CHF deteriorations can occur when extra stress
(such as an infection or excessive fluid overload) significantly
increases the workload on the heart in a stable chronic CHF
patient. In contrast to the stepwise downward progression of
chronic CHF, a patient suffering acute CHF may deteriorate from
even the earliest stages of CHF to severe hemodynamic collapse. In
addition, Acute CHF can occur within hours or days following an
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), which is a sudden, irreversible
injury to the heart muscle, commonly referred to as a heart
attack.
[0007] Normal Kidney Function:
[0008] The kidneys are a pair of organs that lie in the back of the
abdomen on each side of the vertebral column. Kidneys play an
important regulatory role in maintaining the homeostatic balance of
the body. The kidneys function like a complex chemical plant. The
kidneys eliminate foreign chemicals from the body, regulate
inorganic substances and the extracellular fluid, and function as
endocrine glands, secreting hormonal substances like renin and
erythropoietin.
[0009] The main functions of the kidney are to maintain the water
balance of the body and control metabolic homeostasis. Healthy
kidneys regulate the amount of fluid in the body by making the
urine more or less concentrated, thus either reabsorbing or
excreting more fluid, respectively. In case of renal disease, some
normal and important physiological functions become detrimental to
the patient's health. This process is called overcompensation. In
the case of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) patients overcompensation
often manifests in hypertension (pathologically high blood
pressure) that is damaging to heart and blood vessels and can
result in a stroke or death.
[0010] The functions of the kidney can be summarized under three
broad categories: a) filtering blood and excreting waste products
generated by the body's metabolism; b) regulating salt, water,
electrolyte and acid-base balance; and c) secreting hormones to
maintain vital organ blood flow. Without properly functioning
kidneys, a patient will suffer water retention, reduced urine flow
and an accumulation of wastes toxins in the blood and body.
[0011] The primary functional unit of the kidneys that is involved
in urine formation is called the "nephron". Each kidney consists of
about one million nephrons. The nephron is made up of a glomerulus
and its tubules, which can be separated into a number of sections:
the proximal tubule, the medullary loop (loop of Henle), and the
distal tubule. Each nephron is surrounded by different types of
cells that have the ability to secrete several substances and
hormones (such as renin and erythropoietin). Urine is formed as a
result of a complex process starting with the filtration of plasma
water from blood into the glomerulus. The walls of the glomerulus
are freely permeable to water and small molecules but almost
impermeable to proteins and large molecules. Thus, in a healthy
kidney, the filtrate is virtually free of protein and has no
cellular elements. The filtered fluid that eventually becomes urine
flows through the tubules. The final chemical composition of the
urine is determined by the secretion into and reabsorbtion of
substances from the urine required to maintain homeostasis.
[0012] Receiving about 20% of cardiac output, the two kidneys
filter about 125 ml of plasma water per minute. This is called the
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and is the gold standard
measurement of the kidney function. Since measurement of GFR is
very cumbersome and expensive, clinically, the serum creatinine
level or creatinine clearance are used as surrogates to measure
kidney function. Filtration occurs because of a pressure gradient
across the glomerular membrane. The pressure in the arteries of the
kidney pushes plasma water into the glomerulus causing filtration.
To keep the GFR relatively constant, pressure in the glomerulus is
held constant by the constriction or dilatation of the afferent and
efferent arterioles, the muscular walled vessels leading to and
from each glomerulus.
[0013] Abnormal Kidney Function in CHF:
[0014] The kidneys maintain the water balance of the body and
control metabolic homeostasis. The kidneys regulate the amount of
fluid in the body by making the urine more or less concentrated,
thus either reabsorbing or excreting more fluid, respectively.
Without properly functioning kidneys, a patient will suffer water
retention, reduced urine flow and an accumulation of wastes toxins
in the blood and body. These conditions resulting from reduced
renal function or renal failure (kidney failure) are believed to
increase the workload of the heart. In a CHF patient, renal failure
will cause the heart to further deteriorate as the water build-up
and blood toxins accumulate due to the poorly functioning kidneys
and in turn, cause the heart further harm.
[0015] In a CHF patient, for any of the known cause of heart
dysfunction, the heart will progressively fail and blood flow and
pressure will drop in the patients circulatory system. In the acute
heart failure, the short-term compensations serve to maintain
perfusion to critical organs, notably the brain and the heart that
cannot survive prolonged reduction in blood flow. In chronic heart
failure, these same responses that initially aided survival in
acute heart failure can become deleterious.
[0016] A combination of complex mechanisms contribute to the
deleterious fluid overload in CHF. As the heart fails and blood
pressure drops, the kidneys cannot function owing to insufficient
blood pressure for perfusion and become impaired. This impairment
in renal function ultimately leads to a decrease in urine output.
Without sufficient urine output, the body retains fluids and the
resulting fluid overload causes peripheral edema (swelling of the
legs), shortness of breath (from fluid in the lungs), and fluid in
the abdomen, among other undesirable conditions in the patient.
[0017] In addition, the decrease in cardiac output leads to reduced
renal blood flow, increased neurohormonal stimulus, and release of
the hormone renin from the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney.
This results in avid retention of sodium and thus volume expansion.
Increased rennin results in the formation of angiotensin, a potent
vasoconstrictor.
[0018] Heart failure and the resulting reduction in blood pressure
reduces the blood flow and perfusion pressure through organs in the
body, other than the kidneys. As they suffer reduced blood
pressure, these organs may become hypoxic causing the development
of a metabolic acidosis which reduces the effectiveness of
pharmacological therapy as well as increases the risk of sudden
death.
[0019] This spiral of deterioration that physicians observe in
heart failure patients is believed to be mediated, in large part,
by activation of a subtle interaction between heart function and
kidney function, known as the renin-angiotensin system.
Disturbances in the heart's pumping function results in decreased
cardiac output and diminished blood flow. The kidneys respond to
the diminished blood flow as though the total blood volume was
decreased, when in fact the measured volume is normal or even
increased. This leads to fluid retention by the kidneys and
formation of edema causing fluid overload and increased stress on
the heart.
[0020] Systemically, CHF is associated with an abnormally elevated
peripheral vascular resistance and is dominated by alterations of
the circulation resulting from an intense disturbance of
sympathetic nervous system function. Increased activity of the
sympathetic nervous system promotes a downward vicious cycle of
increased arterial vasoconstriction (increased resistance of
vessels to blood flow) followed by a further reduction of cardiac
output, causing even more diminished blood flow to the vital
organs.
[0021] In CHF via the previously explained mechanism of
vasoconstriction, the heart and circulatory system dramatically
reduces blood flow to kidneys. During CHF, the kidneys receive a
command from higher neural centers via neural pathways and hormonal
messengers to retain fluid and sodium in the body. In response, to
stress on the heart, the neural centers command the kidneys to
reduce their filtering functions. While in the short term, these
commands can be beneficial, if these commands continue over hours
and days they can jeopardize the persons life or make the person
dependent on artificial kidney for life by causing the kidneys to
cease functioning.
[0022] When the kidneys do not fully filter the blood, a huge
amount of fluid is retained in the body resulting in bloating
(fluid in tissues), and increases the workload of the heart. Fluid
can penetrate into the lungs and the patient becomes short of
breath. This odd and self-destructive phenomenon is most likely
explained by the effects of normal compensatory mechanisms of the
body that improperly perceive the chronically low blood pressure of
CHF as a sign of temporary disturbance such as bleeding.
[0023] In an acute situation, the organism tries to protect its
most vital organs, the brain and the heart, from the hazards of
oxygen deprivation. Commands are issued via neural and hormonal
pathways and messengers. These commands are directed toward the
goal of maintaining blood pressure to the brain and heart, which
are treated by the body as the most vital organs. The brain and
heart cannot sustain low perfusion for any substantial period of
time. A stroke or a cardiac arrest will result if the blood
pressure to these organs is reduced to unacceptable levels. Other
organs, such as kidneys, can withstand somewhat longer periods of
ischemia without suffering long-term damage. Accordingly, the body
sacrifices blood supply to these other organs in favor of the brain
and the heart.
[0024] The hemodynamic impairment resulting from CHF activates
several neurohomonal systems, such as the renin-angiotensin and
aldosterone system, sympatho-adrenal system and vasopressin
release. As the kidneys suffer from increased renal
vasoconstriction, the filtering rate (GFR) of the blood drops and
the sodium load in the circulatory system increases.
Simultaneously, more renin is liberated from the juxtaglomerular of
the kidney. The combined effects of reduced kidney functioning
include reduced glomerular sodium load, an aldosterone-mediated
increase in tubular reabsorption of sodium, and retention in the
body of sodium and water. These effects lead to several signs and
symptoms of the CHF condition, including an enlarged heart,
increased systolic wall stress, an increased myocardial oxygen
demand, and the formation of edema on the basis of fluid and sodium
retention in the kidney. Accordingly, sustained reduction in renal
blood flow and vasoconstriction is directly responsible for causing
the fluid retention associated with CHF.
[0025] In view of the physiologic mechanisms described above it is
positively established that the abnormal activity of the kidney is
a principal non-cardiac cause of a progressive condition in a
patient suffering from CHF.
[0026] Growing population of late stage CHF patients is an
increasing concern for the society. The disease is progressive, and
as of now, not curable. The limitations of drug therapy and its
inability to reverse or even arrest the deterioration of CHF
patients are clear. Surgical therapies are effective in some cases,
but limited to the end-stage patient population because of the
associated risk and cost. There is clearly a need for a new
treatment that will overcome limitations of drug therapy but will
be less invasive and costly than heart transplantation.
[0027] Similar condition existed several decades ago in the area of
cardiac arrhythmias. Limitations of anti-arrhythmic drugs were
overcome by the invention of heart pacemakers. Widespread use of
implantable electric pacemakers resulted in prolonged productive
life for millions of cardiac patients. So far, all medical devices
proposed for the treatment of CHF are cardio-centric i.e., focus on
the improvement of the heart function. The dramatic role played by
kidneys in the deterioration of CHF patients has been overlooked by
the medical device industry.
[0028] Neural Control of Kidneys:
[0029] The autonomic nervous system is recognized as an important
pathway for control signals that are responsible for the regulation
of body functions critical for maintaining vascular fluid balance
and blood pressure. The autonomic nervous system conducts
information in the form of signals from the body's biologic sensors
such as baroreceptors (responding to pressure and volume of blood)
and chemoreceptors (responding to chemical composition of blood) to
the central nervous system via its sensory fibers. It also conducts
command signals from the central nervous system that control the
various innervated components of the vascular system via its motor
fibers.
[0030] Experience with human kidney transplantation provided early
evidence of the role of the nervous system in the kidney function.
It was noted that after the transplant, when all the kidney nerves
are totally severed, the kidney increased the excretion of water
and sodium. This phenomenon was also observed in animals when the
renal nerves were cut or chemically destroyed. The phenomenon was
called "denervation diuresis" since the denervation acted on a
kidney similar to a diuretic medication. Later the "denervation
diuresis" was found to be associated with the vasodilatation the
renal arterial system that led to the increase of the blood flow
through the kidney. This observation was confirmed by the
observation in animals that reducing blood pressure supplying the
kidney could reverse the "denervation diuresis".
[0031] It was also observed that after several months passed after
the transplant surgery in successful cases, the "denervation
diuresis" in transplant recipients stopped and the kidney function
returned to normal. Originally it was believed that the "renal
diuresis" is a transient phenomenon and that the nerves conducting
signals from the central nervous system to the kidney are not
essential for the kidney function. Later, new discoveries led to
the different explanation. It is believed now that the renal nerves
have a profound ability to regenerate and the reversal of the
"denervation diuresis" shall be attributed to the growth of the new
nerve fibers supplying kidneys with the necessary stimuli.
[0032] Another body of research that is of particular importance
for this application was conducted in the period of 1964-1969 and
focused on the role of the neural control of secretion of the
hormone renin by the kidney. As was discussed previously, renin is
a hormone responsible for the "vicious cycle" of vasoconstriction
and water and sodium retention in heart failure patients. It was
demonstrated that increase (renal nerve stimulation) or decrease
(renal nerve denervation) in renal sympathetic nerve activity
produced parallel increases and decreases in the renin secretion
rate by the kidney, respectively.
[0033] In summary, it is known from clinical experience and the
large body of animal research that the stimulation of the renal
nerve leads to the vasoconstriction of blood vessels supplying the
kidney, decreased renal blood flow, decreased removal of water and
sodium from the body and increased renin secretion. These
observations closely resemble the physiologic landscape of the
deleterious effects of the chronic congestive heart failure. It is
also known that the reduction of the sympathetic renal nerve
activity, achieved by denervation, can reverse these processes.
[0034] It was established in animal models that the heart failure
condition results in the abnormally high sympathetic stimulation of
the kidney. This phenomenon was traced back to the sensory nerves
conducting signals from baroreceptors to the central nervous
system. Baroreceptors are the biologic sensors sensitive to blood
pressure. They are present in the different locations of the
vascular system. Powerful relationship exists between the
baroreceptors in the carotid arteries (supplying brain with
arterial blood) and the sympathetic nervous stimulus to the
kidneys. When the arterial blood pressure was suddenly reduced in
experimental animals with heart failure, the sympathetic tone
increased. Nevertheless the normal baroreflex alone, cannot be
responsible for the elevated renal nerve activity in chronic CHF
patients. If exposed to the reduced level of arterial pressure for
a prolonged time baroreceptors normally "reset" i.e. return to the
baseline level of activity until a new disturbance is introduced.
Therefore, in chronic CHF patients the components of the autonomic
nervous system responsible for the control of blood pressure and
the neural control of the kidney function become abnormal. The
exact mechanisms that cause this abnormality are not fully
understood but, its effects on the overall condition of the CHF
patients are profoundly negative.
[0035] End Stage Renal Disease Problem:
[0036] There is a dramatic increase in patients with end-stage
renal disease (ESRD) due to diabetic nephropathy, chronic
glomerulonephritis and uncontrolled hypertension. In the US alone,
372,000 patients required dialysis in the year 2000. There were
90,000 new cases of ESRD in 1999 with the number of patients on
dialysis is expected to rise to 650,000 by the year 2010. The
trends in Europe and Japan are forecasted to follow a similar path.
Mortality in patients with ESRD remains 10-20 times higher than
that in the general population. Annual Medicare patient costs
$52,868 for dialysis and $18,496 for transplantation. The total
cost for Medicare patients with ESRD in 1998 was $12.04
billion.
[0037] The primary cause of these problems is the slow relentless
progression of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) to ESRD. CRF represents
a critical period in the evolution of ESRD. The signs and symptoms
of CRF are initially minor, but over the course of 2-5 years,
become progressive and irreversible. Until the 1980's, there were
no therapies that could significantly slow the progression of CRF
to ESRD. While some progress has been made in combating the
progression to and complications of ESRD in last two decades, the
clinical benefits of existing interventions remain limited with no
new drug or device therapies on the horizon.
[0038] Progression of Chronic Renal Failure:
[0039] It has been known for several decades that renal diseases of
diverse etiology (hypotension, infection, trauma, autoimmune
disease, etc.) can lead to the syndrome of CRF characterized by
systemic hypertension, proteinuria (excess protein filtered from
the blood into the urine) and a progressive decline in GFR
ultimately resulting in ESRD. These observations suggested that CRF
progresses via a common pathway of mechanisms, and that therapeutic
interventions inhibiting this common pathway may be successful in
slowing the rate of progression of CRF irrespective of the
initiating cause.
[0040] To start the vicious cycle of CRF, an initial insult to the
kidney causes loss of some nephrons. To maintain normal GFR, there
is an activation of compensatory renal and systemic mechanisms
resulting in a state of hyperfiltration in the remaining nephrons.
Eventually, however, the increasing numbers of nephrons
"overworked" and damaged by hyperfiltration are lost. At some
point, a sufficient number of nephrons are lost so that normal GFR
can no longer be maintained. These pathologic changes of CRF
produce worsening systemic hypertension, thus high glomerular
pressure and increased hyperfiltration. Increased glomerular
hyperfiltration and permeability in CRF pushes an increased amount
of protein from the blood, across the glomerulus and into the renal
tubules. This protein is directly toxic to the tubules and leads to
further loss of nephrons, increasing the rate of progression of
CRF. This vicious cycle of CRF continues as the GFR drops, with
loss of additional nephrons leading to further hyperfiltration and
eventually to ESRD requiring dialysis. Clinically, hypertension and
excess protein filtration have been shown to be two major
determining factors in the rate of progression of CRF to ESRD.
[0041] Though previously clinically known, it was not until the
1980s that the physiologic link between hypertension, proteinuria,
nephron loss and CRF was identified. In 1990s the role of
sympathetic nervous system activity was elucidated. Afferent
signals arising from the damaged kidneys due to the activation of
mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors stimulate areas of the brain
responsible for blood pressure control. In response brain increases
sympathetic stimulation on the systemic level resulting in the
increased blood pressure primarily through vasoconstriction of
blood vessels.
[0042] When elevated sympathetic stimulation reaches the kidney via
the efferent sympathetic nerve fibers, it produces major
deleterious effects in two forms:
[0043] A. Kidney is damaged by direct renal toxicity from the
release of sympathetic neurotransmitters (such as norepinephrine)
in the kidney independent of the hypertension.
[0044] B. Secretion of renin that activates Angiotensin II is
increased leading to the increased systemic vasoconstriction and
exacerbated hypertension.
[0045] Over time damage to the kidney leads to further increase of
afferent sympathetic signals from the kidney to the brain. Elevated
Angiotensin II further facilitates internal renal release of
neurotransmitters. The feedback loop is therefore closed
accelerating the deterioration of the kidney.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] A treatment of heart failure, renal failure and hypertension
has been developed to arrest or slow down the progression of the
disease. This treatment is expected to delay the morbid conditions
and death often suffered by CHF patients and to delay the need for
dialysis in renal failure. This treatment is expected to control
hypertension in patients that do not respond to drugs or require
multiple drugs.
[0047] The treatment includes a device and method that reduces the
abnormally elevated sympathetic nerve signals that contribute to
the progression of heart and renal disease. The desired treatment
should be implemented while preserving a patient's mobility and
quality of life without the risk of major surgery.
[0048] The treatment breaks with tradition and proposes a
counterintuitive novel method and apparatus of treating heart
failure, renal failure and hypertension by electrically or
chemically modulating the nerves of the kidney. Elevated nerve
signals to and from the kidney are a common pathway of the
progression of these chronic conditions.
[0049] Chronic heart and renal failure is treated by reducing the
sympathetic efferent or afferent nerve activity of the kidney.
Efferent nerves (as opposed to afferent) are the nerves leading
from the central nervous system to the organ, in this case to the
kidney. Sympathetic nervous system (as opposed to parasympathetic)
is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned
especially with preparing the body to react to situations of stress
or emergency that tends to depress secretion, decrease the tone and
contractility of smooth muscle, and increase heart rate. In the
case of renal sympathetic activity, it is manifested in the
inhibition of the production of urine and excretion of sodium. It
also elevates the secretion of renin that triggers
vasoconstriction. This mechanism is best illustrated by the
response of the body to severe bleeding. When in experimental
animals, the blood pressure is artificially reduced by bleeding,
and the sympathetic inhibition of the kidney is increased to
maintain blood pressure with an ultimate goal of preserving the
brain from hypotension. The resulting vasoconstriction and fluid
retention work in synchrony to help the body to maintain
homeostasis.
[0050] Efferent renal nerve activity is considered postganglionic,
autonomic and exclusively sympathetic. In general, efferent
sympathetic nerves can cause a variety of responses in the
innervated organs. Studies of sympathetic renal nerves show that
they have a strong tendency to behave as a uniform population that
acts as vasoconstrictors. The renal postganglionic neurons are
modulated by pregangleonic (ganglion is a "knot" or agglomeration
of nerve sells) nerves that originate from the brain and thoracic
and upper lumbar regions of the spinal cord.
[0051] The pregangleonic nerves have diverse function and are
likely to have high degree of redundancy. Although different
pathways exist to achieve reduced efferent renal nerve activity,
the simplest way is to denervate the postganglionic nerves with an
electric stimulus or a chemical agent. The same desired affect
could be achieved by total surgical, electric or chemical
destruction (ablation) of the nerve. For two reasons this is not a
preferred pathway. As was described before, renal nerves regenerate
and can grow back as soon as several months after surgery.
Secondarily, total irreversible denervation of the kidney can
result in danger to the patient. Overdiuresis or removal of excess
water from blood can result in the reduction of blood volume beyond
the amount that can be rapidly replaced by fluid intake. This can
result in hypovolemia and hypotension. Hypotension is especially
dangerous in heart failure patients with the reduced capacity of
the heart to pump blood and maintain blood pressure. In addition,
the vasodilation of the renal artery resulting from the renal
denervation will cause a significant increase in renal blood flow.
In a healthy person, renal blood flow can amount to as much as 20%
of the total cardiac output. In heart failure patients cardiac
output is reduced and the renal denervation can "steal" even larger
fraction of it from circulation. This, in turn, can lead to
hypotension. Also, in a heart failure patient the heart has limited
ability to keep up with the demand for oxygenated blood that can be
caused by even modest physical effort. Therefore a heart failure
patient that can sustain the increased blood flow to the kidneys
while at rest can face serious complications resulting from acute
hypotension, if the demand for blood flow is increased by
temperature change or exercise.
[0052] In view of the factors described above it is desired to have
means to reduce the efferent sympathetic stimulation of the kidney
in CHF patients in a reversible, controlled fashion preferably
based on a physiologic feedback signal that is indicative of the
oxygen demand by the body, blood pressure, cardiac output of the
patient or a combination of these and other physiologic
parameters.
[0053] The treatment also breaks with tradition and proposes a
counterintuitive novel method and apparatus of treating chronic
renal failure (CRF) with the goal of slowing down the progression
of CRF to the ESRD by electrically or chemically altering the
sympathetic neural stimulation entering and exiting the kidney. The
described method and apparatus can be also used to treat
hypertension in patients with renal disease or abnormal renal
function.
[0054] To control the afferent nerve signals from the kidney to the
brain and block efferent nerve stimuli from entering the kidney
(without systemic side effects of drug therapy), a renal nerve
stimulator is implanted and attached to an electrode lead placed
around or close to the renal artery. Stimulation effectively blocks
or significantly reduces both efferent and afferent signals
traveling between the kidney, the autonomic nervous system and the
central nervous system.
[0055] The benefits that may be possible by controlling renal nerve
signals to reduce efferent overstimulation are:
[0056] a. The secretion of renin by kidney should be reduced by
40-50% translating into the proportionate reduction of systemic
angiotensin II, resulting in the reduction of blood pressure in all
hypertensive patients including patients refractory to drugs.
[0057] b. Similar to renoprotective mechanisms of ACE-I, the
reduction of angiotensin II should result in slowed progression of
intrarenal changes in glomerular structure and function independent
of blood pressure control.
[0058] c. Similar to the effects of moxonidine, reduced efferent
overstimulation should reduce damage by direct renal toxicity from
the release of sympathetic neurotransmitters.
[0059] Following the reduction of the afferent sympathetic renal
feedback to the brain, there is expected to be a marked reduction
in the systemic efferent overstimulation. This will translate into
the systemic vasodilation and reduction of hypertension independent
of the renin-angiotensin II mechanism.
[0060] Renal nerve stimulation in hypertensive CRF patients is
unlikely to cause clinically relevant episodes of hypotension.
Systemic blood pressure is tightly controlled by feedbacks from
baroreceptors in aorta and carotid sinuses. These mechanisms are
likely to take over if the blood pressure becomes too low. In
polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients who underwent surgery for
total denervation of kidneys, denervation resolved hypertension
without postoperative episodes of hypotension.
[0061] Technique for Nerve Modulation
[0062] Nerve activity can be reversibly modulated in several
different ways. Nerves can be stimulated with electric current or
chemicals that enhance or inhibit neurotransmission. In the case of
electrical stimulation, a stimulator containing a power source is
typically connected to the nerve by wires or leads. Leads can
terminate in electrodes, cuffs that enclose the nerve or in
conductive anchors (screws or hooks) that are embedded in tissue.
In the later case, the lead is designed to generate sufficient
electric field to alter or induce current in the nerve without
physically contacting it. The electrodes or leads can by bipolar or
unipolar. There are permanent leads that are implanted for months
and years to treat a chronic condition and temporary leads used to
support the patient during an acute stage of the disease. The
engineering aspects of design and manufacturing of nerve
stimulators, pacemakers, leads, anchors and nerve cuffs are well
known.
[0063] Proposed clinical applications of nerve stimulation include:
Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer's Disease, Obesity, and others. In
all existing clinical applications except pain control, the
targeted nerves are stimulated to increase the intensity of the
transmitted signal. To achieve relief of hypertension and CRF
signal traffic traveling to and from the kidney via renal nerves
needs to be reduced. This can be achieved by known methods
previously used in physiologic studies on animals. A nerve can be
paced with electric pulses at high rate or at voltage that
substantially exceed normal traffic. As a result, a nerve will be
"overpaced", run out of neurotransmitter substance and transmit
less stimulus to the kidney. Alternatively relatively high voltage
potential can be applied to the nerve to create a blockade. This
method is known as "voltage clamping" of a nerve. Infusion of a
small dose of a local anesthetic in the vicinity of the nerve will
produce the same effect.
[0064] Ablation of conductive tissue pathways is another commonly
used technique to control arterial or ventricular tachycardia of
the heart. Ablation can be performed by introduction of a catheter
into the venous system in close proximity of the sympathetic renal
nerve subsequent ablation of the tissue. Catheter based ablation
devices were previously used to stop electric stimulation of nerves
by heating nerve tissue with RF energy that can be delivered by a
system of electrodes. RF energy thus delivered stops the nerve
conduction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,695 describes in detail a method
and apparatus for transvascular treatment of tachycardia and
fibrillation with nerve stimulation and ablation. Similar catheter
based apparatus can be used to ablate the renal nerve with an
intent to treat CRF. The method described in this invention is
applicable to irreversible ablation of the renal nerve by electric
energy, cold, or chemical agents such as phenol or alcohol.
[0065] Thermal means may be used to cool the renal nerve and
adjacent tissue to reduce the sympathetic nerve stimulation of the
kidney. Specifically, the renal nerve signals may be dampened by
either directly cooling the renal nerve or the kidney, to reduce
their sensitivity, metabolic activity and function, or by cooling
the surrounding tissue. An example of this approach is to use the
cooling effect of the Peltier device. Specifically, the thermal
transfer junction may be positioned adjacent the vascular wall or a
renal artery to provide a cooling effect. The cooling effect may be
used to dampen signals generated by the kidney. Another example of
this approach is to use the fluid delivery device to deliver a cool
or cold fluid (e.g. saline).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0066] A preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention is
illustrated in the attached drawings that are described as
follows:
[0067] FIG. 1 illustrates the role of sympathetic renal nerve
stimulation in congestive heart failure (CHF).
[0068] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred implanted
electrostimulation embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates stimulation of renal nerves across the
wall of the renal vein.
[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates the drug infusion blocking embodiment
with an implanted drug pump.
[0071] FIG. 5 illustrates the arterial pressure based control
algorithm for renal nerve modulation.
[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates electrostimulation of the renal nerve
with an anodal block.
[0073] FIG. 7 illustrates different nerve fibers in a nerve bundle
trunk.
[0074] FIG. 8 illustrates renal nerve modulation by blocking
electric signals at one point and stimulating the nerve at a
different point.
[0075] FIG. 9 illustrates transvenous stimulation of the renal
nerve with electric field.
[0076] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment where the stimulation lead
is placed using laparoscopic surgery.
[0077] FIG. 11 illustrates a patient controlled stimulation
embodiment.
[0078] FIG. 12 illustrates the progression of CRF to ESRD.
[0079] FIG. 13 illustrates the physiologic mechanisms of CRF.
[0080] FIG. 14 illustrates stimulation of renal nerves in a patient
with an implanted stimulator with a renal artery cuff
electrode.
[0081] FIG. 15 illustrates the placement of a stimulation cuff on a
renal artery end nerve plexus.
[0082] FIG. 16 illustrates the design of the cuff electrode that
wraps around an artery.
[0083] FIG. 17 illustrates the interface between cuff electrodes
and the renal artery surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0084] A method and apparatus has been developed to regulate
sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney to improve a patient's
renal function and overall condition, and ultimately to arrest or
reverse the vicious cycle of CHF disease.
[0085] FIG. 1 illustrates the role of sympathetic renal nerves in
heart failure. Neural pathways are indicated by solid lines,
hormones by interrupted lines. Baroreceptors 101 respond to low
blood pressure resulting from the reduced ability of the failing
heart 103 to pump blood. Unloading of baroreceptors 101 in the left
ventricle of the heart 103, carotid sinus, and aortic arch (not
shown) generates afferent neural signals 113 that stimulate
cardio-regulatory centers in the brain 102. This stimulation
results in activation of efferent pathways in the sympathetic
nervous system 118. Sympathetic signals are transmitted to the
spinal cord 106, sympathetic ganglia 107 and via the sympathetic
efferent renal nerve 109 to the kidney 111. The increased activity
of sympathetic nerves 108 also causes vasoconstriction 110
(increased resistance) of peripheral blood vessels.
[0086] In the kidney 111 efferent sympathetic nerve stimulation 109
causes retention of water (reduction of the amount of urine) and
retention of sodium 112 an osmotic agent that is responsible for
the expansion of blood volume. The sympathetic stimulation of the
kidney stimulates the release of hormones renin 105 and angiotensin
II. These hormones activate the complex
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system 117 leading to more
deleterious hormones causing vasoconstriction 104 and heart damage
116. The sympathetic stimulation of the hypothalamus of the brain
102 results in the release of the powerful hormone vasopressin 114
that causes further vasoconstriction of blood vessels. Angiotensin
11 constricts blood vessels and stimulates the release of
aldosterone from adrenal gland (not shown). It also increases
tubular sodium reabsorption (sodium retention) in the kidney 111
and causes remodeling of cardiac myocytes therefore contributing to
the further deterioration of the heart 103 and the kidney 111.
[0087] It can be inferred from the FIG. 1 that the renal efferent
sympathetic stimulation in heart failure is caused by low blood
pressure and is a primary factor responsible for the most
debilitating symptom of heart failure i.e. fluid overload. It also
contributes to the progression of the disease. Acting through the
volume overload and peripheral vasoconstriction (together
increasing load on the heart) it accelerates the enlargement of the
left ventricle that in turn results in the deteriorating ability of
the heart to pump blood. Drugs used to treat heat failure address
these issues separately. Diuretics are used to reduce fluid
overload by reducing the reabsorption of sodium and increasing the
excretion of water 112. Vasodilators are used to reduce peripheral
vasoconstriction 110 by reducing levels of angiotensin 117.
Inotropic agents are used to increase blood pressure and
de-activate the signals from baroreceptors 101. These drugs have
limited affect and ultimately fail to control the progression and
debilitating symptoms heart failure. The proposed invention
corrects the neuro-hormonal misbalance in heart failure by directly
controlling the sympathetic neural stimulation 109 of the kidney
111.
[0088] FIG. 2 shows a patient 201 suffering from chronic congestive
heart failure treated in accordance with the invention. An
implantable device 202 is implanted in the patients body. An
implantable device can be an electric device similar to a pacemaker
or nerve stimulator or a chemical substance infusion device. Such
devices are well known in the field of medicine. Internal mechanism
of the implantable device typically includes a battery 203, an
electronic circuit and (in the case of a drug delivery device) a
reservoir with medication.
[0089] An example of an implantable drug infusion device is the
MiniMed 2007.TM. implantable insulin pump system for treatment of
diabetes or the SynchroMed Infusion System used to control chronic
pain, both manufactured by Medtronic Inc. The drug used in this
embodiment can be a common local anesthetic such as Novocain or
Lidocaine or a more long lasting equivalent anesthetic.
Alternatively, a nerve toxin such as the botox can be used to block
the nerve. An example of an implantable nerve stimulator is the
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS.TM.) with the Cyberonics
NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP.RTM.) System used for treatment of
epilepsy. It is manufactured by Cyberonics Inc. The internal
mechanism of the implantable device typically includes a battery,
an electronic circuit and (in the case of a drug delivery device),
a reservoir with medication. Neurostimulation systems from
different manufacturers are virtually identical across application
areas, usually varying only in the patterns of stimulating voltage
pulses, style or number of electrodes used, and the programmed
parameters. The basic implantable system consists of a
pacemaker-like titanium case enclosing the power source and
microcircuitry that are used to create and regulate the electrical
impulses. An extension lead attached to this generator carries the
electrical pulses to the electrode lead that is implanted or
attached to the nerves or tissues to be stimulated.
[0090] The implantable device 202 is equipped with the lead 204
connecting it to the renal nerve 205. The lead can contain an
electric wire system or a catheter for delivery of medication or
both. Renal nerve conducts efferent sympathetic stimulation from
the sympathetic trunk 206 to the kidney 208. Sympathetic trunk is
connected to the patient's spinal cord inside the spine 207. The
connection can be located between the kidney 208 and the posterior
renal or other renal ganglia (not shown) in the region of the
10.sup.th, 11.sup.th and 12.sup.th thoracic and 1.sup.st lumbar
segments of the spine 207.
[0091] The implantable device 202 is also equipped with the sensor
lead 209 terminated with the sensor 210. The sensor can be a
pressure sensor or an oxygen saturation sensor. The sensor 210 can
be located in the left ventricle of the heart 211, right atrium of
the heart or other cavity of the heart. It can also be located
outside of the heart in the aorta 213, the aortic arch 212 or a
carotid artery 214. If the sensor is a pressure sensor, it is used
to supply the device 202 with the information necessary to safely
regulate the sympathetic nerve signals to the kidney 208. A venous
blood oxygen saturation signal can be used in a similar way to
control the sympathetic nerve traffic based on oxygen demand. The
sensor will be placed in the right atrium of the heart or in the
vena cava. More than one sensor can be used in combination to
supply information to the device. Sensors can be inside the
vascular system (blood vessels) or outside of it. For example, a
motion sensor can be used to detect activity of the person. Such
sensor does not require placement outside the implanted device case
and can be integrated inside the sealed case of the device 202 as a
part of the internal mechanism.
[0092] FIG. 3 shows external renal nerve stimulator apparatus 306
connected to the electrode tip 308 by the catheter 301. A catheter
is inserted via an insertion site 303 into the femoral vein 305
into the vena cava 302 and further into the renal vein 304. The tip
308 is then brought into the electric contact with the wall of the
vein 304. Hooks or screws, similar to ones used to secure pacemaker
leads, can be used to anchor the tip and improve the electric
contact. The tip 308 can have one, two or more electrodes
integrated in its design. The purpose of the electrodes is to
generate the electric field sufficiently strong to influence
traffic along the renal nerve 205 stimulating the kidney 208.
[0093] Two potential uses for the embodiment shown on FIG. 3 are
the acute short-term stimulation of the renal nerve and the
implanted embodiment. For short term treatment, a catheter equipped
with electrodes on the tip is positioned in the renal vein. The
proximal end of the catheter is left outside of the body and
connected to the electro stimulation apparatus. For the implanted
application, the catheter is used to position a stimulation lead,
which is anchored in the vessel and left in place after the
catheter is withdrawn. The lead is then connected to the
implantable stimulator that is left in the body and the surgical
site is closed. Patients have the benefit of mobility and lower
risk of infection with the implanted stimulator-lead system.
[0094] Similar to the venous embodiment, an arterial system can be
used. Catheter will be introduced via the femoral artery and aorta
(not shown) into the renal artery 307. Arterial catheterization is
more dangerous than venous but may achieve superior result by
placing stimulation electrode (or electrodes) in close proximity to
the renal nerve without surgery.
[0095] FIG. 4 shows the use of a drug infusion pump 401 to block or
partially block stimulation of the kidney 208 by infiltrating
tissue proximal to the renal nerve 205 with a nerve-blocking drug.
Pump 401 can be an implanted drug pump. The pump is equipped with a
reservoir 403 and an access port (not shown) to refill the
reservoir with the drug by puncturing the skin of the patient and
the port septum with an infusion needle. The pump is connected to
the infusion catheter 402 that is surgically implanted in the
proximity of the renal nerve 205. The drug used in this embodiment
can be a common local anesthetic such as Novocain. If it is desired
to block the nerve for a long time after a single bolus drug
infusion, a nerve toxin such as botox (botulism toxin) can be used
as a nerve-blocking drug. Other suitable nerve desensitizing agents
may comprise, for example, tetrodotoxin or other inhibitor of
excitable tissues.
[0096] FIG. 5 illustrates the use of arterial blood pressure
monitoring to modulate the treatment of CHF with renal nerve
blocking. The blood pressure is monitored by the computer
controlled implanted device 202 (FIG. 2) using the implanted sensor
210. Alternatively the controlling device can be incorporated in
the external nerve stimulator 306 (FIG. 3) and connected to a
standard blood pressure measurement device (not shown). The
objective of control is to avoid hypotension that can be caused by
excessive vasodilation of renal arteries caused by suppression of
renal sympathetic stimulus. This may cause the increase of renal
blood flow dangerous for the heart failure patient with the limited
heart pumping ability. The control algorithm increases or decreases
the level of therapy with the goal of maintaining the blood
pressure within the safe range. Similarly the oxygen content of
venous or arterial blood can be measured and used to control
therapy. Reduction of blood oxygen is an indicator of insufficient
cardiac output in heart failure patients.
[0097] FIG. 6 illustrates the principles of modulating renal nerve
signal with an anodal block. Renal nerve 601 conducts efferent
sympathetic electric signals in the direction towards the kidney
602. Renal nerve 601 trunk is enveloped with two conductive cuff
type electrodes: the anode 603 is a positive pole and the cathode
604 is a negative pole electrode. It is significant that the anode
603 is downstream of the cathode and closer to the kidney while the
cathode is upstream of the anode and closer to the spine where the
sympathetic nerve traffic is coming from. The electric current
flowing between the electrodes opposes the normal propagation of
nerve signals and creates a nerve block. Anode 603 and cathode 604
electrodes are connected to the signal generator (stimulator) 306
with wires 606. This embodiment has a practical application even if
the device for renal nerve signal modulation is implanted
surgically. During surgery the renal nerve is exposed and cuffs are
placed that overlap the nerve. The wires and the stimulator can be
fully implanted at the time of surgery. Alternatively wires or
leads can cross the skin and connect to the signal generator
outside of the body. An implantable stimulator can be implanted
later during a separate surgery or the use of an external
stimulator can be continued.
[0098] Clinically used spiral cuffs for connecting to a nerve are
manufactured by Cyberonics Inc. (Houston, Tex.) that also
manufactures a fully implantable nerve stimulator operating on
batteries. See also, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,643. Various
external signal generators suitable for nerve stimulation are
available from Grass-Telefactor Astro-Med Product Group (West
Warwick, R.I.). Nerve cuff electrodes are well known. See, e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,815. The principle of the anodal block is based
on the observation that close to an anodal electrode contact the
propagation of a nerve action potential can be blocked due to
hyperpolarization of the fiber membrane. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,814,079 and 5,800,464. If the membrane is sufficiently
hyperpolarized, action potentials cannot pass the hyperpolarized
zone and are annihilated.
[0099] As large diameter fibers need a smaller stimulus for their
blocking than do small diameter fibers, a selective blockade of the
large fibers is possible. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,750. The
activity in different fibers of a nerve in an animal can be
selectively blocked by applying direct electric current between an
anode and a cathode attached to the nerve.
[0100] Antidromic pulse generating wave form for collision blocking
is an alternative means of inducing a temporary electric blockade
of signals traveling along nerve fibers. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
4,608,985. In general, nerve traffic manipulation techniques such
as anodal blocking, cathodal blocking and collision blocking are
sufficiently well described in scientific literature and are
available to an expert in neurology. Most of blocking methods allow
sufficient selectivity and reversibility so that the nerve will not
be damaged in the process of blocking and that selective and
gradual modulation or suppression of traffic in different
functional fibers can be achieved.
[0101] A nerve is composed of the axons of a large number of
individual nerve fibers. A large nerve, such as a renal nerve, may
contain thousands of individual nerve fibers, both myelinated and
non-myelinated. Practical implementation of physiological blockade
of selective nerve fibers in a living organism is illustrated by
the paper "Respiratory responses to selective blockade of carotid
sinus baroreceptors in the dog" by Francis Hopp. Both anodal block
and local anesthesia by injection of bupivacaine (a common
long-acting local anaesthetic, used for surgical anaesthesia and
acute pain management) were applied to the surgically isolated and
exposed but intact nerve leading from baroreceptors (physiologic
pressure sensors) in the carotid sinus of the heart to the brain of
an animal. Anodal block was induced using simple wire electrodes.
Experiments showed that by increasing anodal blocking current from
50 to 350 microamperes signal conduction in C type fibers was
gradually reduced from 100% to 0% (complete block) in linear
proportion to the strength of the electric current. Similarly
increasing concentration of injected bupivacaine (5, 10, 20 and 100
mg/ml) resulted in gradual blocking of the carotid sinus nerve
activity in a dog. These experiments confirmed that it is possible
to reduce intensity of nerve stimulation (nerve traffic) in an
isolated nerve in controllable, reversible and gradual was by the
application of electric current or chemical blockade. In the same
paper it was described that smaller C type fibers were blocked by
lower electric current and higher concentration of bupivacaine than
larger C type fibers.
[0102] Gerald DiBona in "Neural control of the kidney: functionally
specific renal sympathetic nerve fibers" described the structure
and role of individual nerve fibers controlling the kidney
function. Approximately 96% of sympathetic renal fibers in the
renal nerve are slow conducting unmyelinated C type fibers 0.4 to
2.5 micrometers in diameter. Different fibers within this range
carry different signals and respond to different levels of
stimulation and inhibition. It is known that lower stimulation
voltage of the renal nerve created untidiuretic effect (reduced
urine output) while higher level of stimulation created
vasoconstriction effect. Stimulation threshold is inversely
proportional to the fiber diameter; therefore it is likely that
elevated signal levels in larger diameter renal nerve C fibers are
responsible for the retention of fluid in heart failure. Relatively
smaller diameter C fibers are responsible for vasoconstriction
resulting in the reduction of renal blood flow in heart
failure.
[0103] FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified cross-section of the renal
nerve trunk 601. Trunk 601 consists of a number of individual
fibers. The stimulation electrode cuff 603 envelops the nerve
trunk. Larger C type fiber 705 exemplifies fibers responsible for
diuresis. There are also other fibers 702 that can be for example
afferent fibers. Traffic along these fibers can be blocked by the
application of lower blocking voltage or lower dose of anesthetic
drug. The resulting effect will be diuresis of the CHF patient
(secretion of sodium and water by the kidney) and the relief of
fluid overload. Smaller C fiber 704 is responsible for the
regulation of renal blood flow.
[0104] In clinical practice, it may be desired to modulate or block
selectively or preferably the larger fibers 705. This can be
achieved with lower levels of stimulation. The patient can be
relieved of access fluid without significantly increasing renal
blood flow since traffic in smaller C fibers will not be altered.
Renal blood flow can amount to as much as 20% of cardiac output. In
a CHF patient with a weakened heart significant increase of renal
blood flow can lead to a dangerous decrease of arterial pressure if
the diseased heart fails to pump harder to keep up with an
increased demand for oxygenated blood. The nerve stimulator or
signal generator 306 therefore is capable of at least two levels of
stimulation: first (lower) level to block or partially block
signals propagating in larger C fibers that control diuresis, and
second (higher) level to block signals propagating in smaller C
fibers that control renal vascular resistance and blood flow to the
kidney. The later method of nerve traffic modulation with higher
electric current levels is useful in preventing damage to kidneys
in acute clinical situations where the vasoconstriction can lead to
the ischemia of a kidney, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), acute renal
failure and sometimes permanent kidney damage. This type of
clinical scenario is often associated with the acute heart failure
when hypotension (low blood pressure) results from a severe
decompensation of a chronic heart failure patient. Acute renal
failure caused by low blood flow to the kidneys is the most costly
complication in patients with heart failure.
[0105] Similar differentiated response to modulation could be
elicited by applying different frequency of electric pulses
(overpacing) to the renal nerve and keeping the applied voltage
constant. DiBona noted that renal fibers responsible for rennin
secretion responded to the lowest frequency of pulses (0.5 to 1
Hz), fibers responsible for sodium retention responded to middle
range of frequencies (1 to 2 Hz) and fibers responsible for blood
flow responded to the highest frequency of stimulation (2 to 5 Hz).
This approach can be used when the renal nerve block is achieved by
overpacing the renal nerve by applying rapid series of electric
pulses to the electrodes with the intent to fatigue the nerve to
the point when it stops conducting stimulation pulses.
[0106] One embodiment of the method of treating heart failure
comprises the following steps:
[0107] A. Introducing one or more electrodes in the close proximity
with the renal nerve,
[0108] B. Connecting the electrodes to an electric stimulator or
generator with conductive leads or wires,
[0109] C. Initiating flow of electric current to the electrodes
sufficient to block or reduce signal traffic in the sympathetic
efferent renal nerve fibers with the intention of increasing
diuresis, reducing renal secretion of renin and vasodilation of the
blood vessels in the kidney to increase renal blood supply.
[0110] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. In
this embodiment the natural efferent signal traffic 804 entering
the renal nerve trunk 601 is completely blocked by the anodal block
device stimulator 306 using a pair of electrodes 604 and 603. The
third electrode (or pair of electrodes) 803 is situated downstream
of the block. The electrode is used to stimulate or pace the
kidney. Stimulation signal is transmitted from the generator 306
via the additional lead wire 805 to the electrode 803. The induced
signal becomes the nerve input to the kidney. This way full control
of nerve input is accomplished while the natural sympathetic tone
is totally abolished.
[0111] FIG. 9 shows the transvenous embodiment of the invention
using anodal blockade to modulate renal nerve traffic. Renal nerve
601 is located between the renal artery 901 and the renal vein 902.
It follows the same direction towards the kidney. Renal artery can
branch before entering the kidney but in the majority of humans
there is only one renal artery. Stimulation catheter or lead 903 is
introduced into the renal vein 902 and anchored to the wall of the
vein using a securing device 904. The securing device can be a barb
or a screw if the permanent placement of the lead 903 is desired.
Electric field 904 is induced by the electric current applied by
the positively charged anode 905 and cathode 906 catheter
electrodes. Electrodes are connected to the stimulator (nor shown)
by wires 907 and 908 that can be incorporated into the trunk of the
lead 903. Electric field 904 is induced in the tissue surrounding
the renal vein 902 and created the desired local polarization of
the segment of the renal nerve trunk 601 situated in the close
proximity of the catheter electrodes 905 and 907. Similarly
catheters or leads can be designed that induce a cathodal block, a
collision block or fatigue the nerve by rapidly pacing it using an
induced field rather than by contacting the nerve directly.
[0112] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where the stimulation lead is
placed using laparoscopic surgery. This technology is common in
modern surgery and uses a small video-camera and a few customized
instruments to perform surgery with minimal tissue injury. The
camera and instruments are inserted into the abdomen through small
skin cuts allowing the surgeon to explore the whole cavity without
the need of making large standard openings dividing skin and
muscle.
[0113] After the cut is made in the umbilical area a special needle
is inserted to start insufflation. A pressure regulated CO2
insufflator is connected to the needle. After satisfactory
insuflation the needle is removed and a trocar is inserted through
the previous small wound. This method reduces the recovery time due
to its minimal tissue damage permitting the patient to return to
normal activity in a shorter period of time. Although this type of
procedure is known since the beginning of the 19th. century, it was
not until the advent of high resolution video camera that
laparoscopic surgery became very popular among surgeons. Kidney
surgery including removal of donor kidneys is routinely done using
laparoscopic methodology. It should be easy for a skilled surgeon
to place the lead 903 through a tunnel in tissue layers 1001
surrounding the renal nerve 601. This way lead electrodes 905 and
906 are placed in close proximity to the nerve and can be used to
induce a block without major surgery.
[0114] FIG. 11 shows an implanted embodiment of the invention
controlled by the patient from outside of the body. The implanted
stimulation device 203 is an electric stimulation device to
modulate the renal nerve signal but can be an implantable infusion
pump capable of infusing a dose of an anesthetic drug on command.
The implantable device 203 incorporates a magnetically activated
switch such as a reed relay. The reed switch can be a single-pole,
single-throw (SPST) type having normally open contacts and
containing two reeds that can be magnetically actuated by an
electromagnet, permanent magnet or combination of both. Such switch
of extremely small size and low power requirements suitable for an
implanted device is available from Coto Technology of Providence,
R.I. in several configurations. Switch is normally open preventing
electric or chemical blockade of the renal nerve 209. When the
patient brings a magnet 1101 in close proximity to the body site
where the device 202 is implanted the magnetic field 1103 acts on
the magnetic switch 1102. Switch is closed and blocking of the
renal nerve is activated. The resulting reduction of the
sympathetic tone commands the kidney 208 to increase the production
of urine. Patient can use the device when they feel the symptoms of
fluid overload to remove access fluid from the body. The device 202
can be equipped with a timing circuit that is set by the external
magnet. After the activation by the magnet the device can stay
active (block renal nerve activity) for a predetermined duration of
time to allow the kidney to make a desired amount of urine such as
for an hour or several hours. Then the device will time out to
avoid excessive fluid removal or adaptation of the renal nerve to
the new condition.
[0115] FIG. 12 illustrates the progression of CRF to ESRD.
Following the original injury to the kidney 1201 some nephrons 1202
are lost. Loss of nephrons lead to hyperfiltration 1203 and
triggers compensatory mechanisms 1204 that are initially beneficial
but over time make injury worse until the ESRD 1208 occurs.
Compensatory mechanisms lead to elevated afferent and efferent
sympathetic nerve signal level (increased signal traffic) 1207 to
and from the kidney. It is the objective of this invention to
block, reduce, modulate or otherwise decrease this level of
stimulation.
[0116] The effect of the invented therapeutic intervention will be
the reduction of central (coming from the brain) sympathetic
stimulation 1206 to all organs and particularly blood vessels that
causes vasoconstriction and elevation of blood pressure. Following
that hypertension 1205 will be reduced therefore reducing
continuous additional insult to the kidney and other organs.
[0117] FIG. 13 illustrates the physiologic mechanisms of CRF and
hypertension. Injured kidney 1302 sends elevated afferent nerve
1306 signals to the brain 1301. Brain in response increases
sympathetic efferent signals to the kidney 1307 and to blood
vessels 1311 that increase vascular resistance 1303 by
vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction 1303 causes hypertension 1304.
Kidney 1302 secretes renin 1310 that stimulates production of the
vasoconstrictor hormone Angiotensin II 1305 that increases
vasoconstriction of blood vessels 1303 and further increases
hypertension 1304. Hypertension causes further mechanical damage
1312 to the kidney 1302 while sympathetically activated
neurohormones 1307 and angiotensin II causes more subtle injury via
the hormonal pathway 1310.
[0118] Invented therapy reduces or eliminates critical pathways of
the progressive disease by blocking afferent 1306 and efferent 1307
signals to and from the kidney 1302. Both neurological 1311 and
hormonal 1309 stimulus of vasoconstriction are therefore reduced
resulting in the relief of hypertension 1304. As a result, over
time the progression of renal disease is slowed down, kidney
function is improved and the possibility of stroke from high blood
pressure is reduced.
[0119] FIG. 14 shows a patient 201 suffering from CRF or renal
hypertension treated in accordance with the invention. An
implantable device 202 is implanted in the patient's body. An
implantable device can be an electric nerve stimulator or a
chemical substance (drug) infusion device. The implantable device
202 described above is equipped with the lead 204 connecting it to
the renal nerve artery cuff 1401. Cuff 1401 envelopes the renal
artery 203 that anatomically serves as a support structure for the
renal nerve plexus. It is understood that there exist many
varieties of electrode configurations such as wires, rings,
needles, anchors, screws, cuffs and hooks that could all
potentially be used to stimulate renal nerves. The cuff
configuration 1401 illustrated by FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 was
selected for the preferred embodiment base on the information
available to the inventors at the time of invention.
[0120] The lead conduit can be alternatively an electric wire or a
catheter for delivery of medication or a combination of both. Renal
nerve conducts efferent sympathetic stimulation from the
sympathetic trunk 206 to the kidney 208. Sympathetic trunk is
connected to the patient's spinal cord inside the spine 207. The
lead to nerve connection can be located anywhere between the kidney
208 and the posterior renal or other renal ganglia (not shown) in
the region of the 10.sup.th, 11.sup.th and 12.sup.th thoracic and
1.sup.st lumbar segments of the spine 207. The stimulation lead 204
and the arterial nerve cuff 1401, as selected for the preferred
embodiment of the invention, can be placed using laparoscopic
surgery.
[0121] FIG. 15 illustrates one possible embodiment of the renal
nerve stimulation cuff electrode cuff. When the treated disease is
CRF or hypertension it is the additional objective of this
embodiment of the invention to selectively modulate nerve traffic
in both afferent and efferent nerve fibers innervating the human
kidney. Using existing selective modulation techniques it is
possible to stimulate only afferent or efferent fibers. Different
types of fibers have different structure and respond to different
levels and frequency of stimulation. Anatomically renal nerve is
difficult to locate in humans even during surgery. The autonomic
nervous system forms a plexus on the external surface renal artery.
Fibers contributing to the plexus arise from the celiac ganglion,
the lowest splanchnic nerve, the aorticorenal ganglion and aortic
plexus. The plexus is distributed with branches of the renal artery
to vessels of the kidney, the glomeruli and tubules. The nerves
from these sources, fifteen or twenty in number, have a few ganglia
developed upon them. They accompany the branches of the renal
artery into the kidney; some filaments are distributed to the
spermatic plexus and, on the right side, to the inferior vena cava.
This makes isolating a renal nerve difficult.
[0122] To overcome this anatomic limitation the preferred
embodiment of the neurostimulation shown on FIG. 15 has an
innovative stimulation cuff. The cuff 1401 envelopes the renal
artery 203 and overlaps nerve fibers 1501 that form the renal
plexus and look like a spider web. Cuff has at least two isolated
electrodes 1402 and 1403 needed for nerve blocking. More electrodes
can be used for selective patterns of stimulation and blocking.
Electrodes are connected to the lead 204. Renal artery 203 connects
aorta 213 to the kidney 208. It is subject to pulsations of
pressure and therefore cyclically swells and contracts.
[0123] FIG. 16 further illustrates the design of the cuff 1401.
Cuff envelopes the renal artery 203. Cuff is almost circumferential
but has an opening 406. When the artery cyclically swells with
blood pressure pulses, the cuff opens up without damaging the nerve
or pinching the artery. Opening 406 also allows placement of the
cuff around the artery. Similar designs of nerve cuffs known as
"helical" cuffs are well known, see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,251,634;
4,649,936 and 5,634,462.
[0124] FIG. 17 shows the crossection of the cuff 1401. Cuff 1401 is
made out of dielectric material. Two electrodes 1402 and 1403 form
rings to maximize the contact area with the wall of the artery
203.
[0125] Common to all the embodiments, is that an invasive device is
used to decrease the level of renal nerve signals that are received
by the kidney or generated by the kidney and received by the brain.
The invention has been described in connection with the best mode
now known to the applicant inventors. The invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment. Rather, the invention covers
all of various modifications and equivalent arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0126] Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure (CHF)
and chronic heart failure is a progressive heart disease
characterized by low cardiac output, deterioration of heart muscle
and fluid retention. Renal failure, also called chronic renal
failure (CRF) is a progressive degenerative renal disease that is
characterized by gradual loss of renal function that leads to the
end stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD requires dialysis for life.
Hypertension is the chronic disease associated with high
probability of stroke, renal failure and heart failure that is
characterized by the abnormally high blood pressure.
[0127] A nerve in the context of this application means a separate
nerve or a nerve bundle, nerve fiber, nerve plexus or nerve
ganglion. Renal nerve is a part of the autonomic nervous system
that forms a plexus on the external surface renal artery. Fibers
contributing to the plexus arise from the celiac ganglion, the
lowest splanchnic nerve, the aorticorenal ganglion and aortic
plexus. The plexus is distributed with branches of the renal artery
to blood vessels of the kidney, the glomeruli and tubules. The
nerves from these sources, have a few ganglia developed upon them.
They accompany the branches of the renal artery into the kidney;
some filaments are distributed to the spermatic plexus and, on the
right side, to the inferior vena cava.
[0128] Nerve stimulation, neurostimulation, nerve modulation and
neuromodulation are equivalent and mean altering (reducing or
increasing) naturally occurring level of electric signals
propagating through the nerve. The electric signal in the nerve is
also called nerve traffic, nerve tone or nerve stimulus.
[0129] Nerve block, blocking or blockade is a form of
neuromodulation and means the reduction or total termination of the
propagation or conduction of the electric signal along the selected
nerve. Nerve block can be pharmacological (induced by a drug or
other chemical substance) or an electric block by
electrostimulation. Electric nerve block can be a hyperpolarization
block, cathodal, anodal or collision block. Overpacing a nerve can
also induce a block. Overpacing means stimulating the nerve with
rapid electric pulses at a rate that exceeds the natural cycling
rate of the nerve polarization and depolarization. As a result of
overpacing the nerve gets fatigued, reserves of the immediately
available neurotransmitter substance in the nerve become exhausted,
and the nerve becomes temporarily unable to conduct signals. Nerve
block by the means listed above can result in the reduction of the
nerve signal, in particular the renal sympathetic efferent or
afferent tone that determines the electric stimulus received or
generated by the kidney. The technique of the controlled reduction
of the nerve signal or traffic, which results in less organ
stimulation, is called nerve signal modulation. Nerve modulation
means that the individual nerve fibers fire with a reduced
frequency or that fewer of the nerve fibers comprising the renal
nerve are actively conducting or firing. The increase of nerve
traffic or nerve activity usually involves recruitment of larger
number of fibers in the nerve; alternatively less stimulation is
associated with less active fibers. Denervation means blocking of
the renal nerve conduction or the destruction of the renal
nerve.
[0130] Lead is a medical device used to access the nerve designated
for stimulation or blocking. It is usually a tubular device that is
electrically insulated and includes multiple conductors or wires.
Wires conduct stimulation or blocking signals from the stimulator
to the designated nerve. Wires are terminated in electrodes.
Electrodes are conductive terminals and can contact the nerve
directly or contact the conductive tissue in the vicinity of the
nerve. Electrodes can have different geometric configurations and
can be made of different materials. The lead can include lumens or
tubes for drug delivery to the nerve. A stimulator or an
electrostimulator is an electric device used to generate electric
signals that are conducted by the lead to the nerve. The stimulator
can be implanted in the body or external. Electric signals can be a
DC current, voltage, series of pulses or AC current or voltage.
Electrodes can induce an electric field that affects the nerve and
results in nerve blocking. Nerve cuff is a support structure that
at least partially envelops the targeted nerve.
[0131] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *