Method of controlling blood pressure
View Patent ↗A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle ( 200 ), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field ( 210 ) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.
1. A method of controlling blood pressure, the method comprising:
providing at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one blood vessel; and
applying the local electric field to the at least one blood vessel responsive to a subjective evaluation of blood pressure by a subject in whom the electrodes have been provided.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying in response to an input from an external control operated by said subject.
3. A method according to claim 1 , comprising preventing the subject from adjusting blood pressure beyond defined limits using a fail-safe cutoff.
4. A method according to claim 1 , comprising collecting blood pressure data using at least one blood pressure sensor and analyzing the blood pressure data and performing said applying in accord with the analysis.
5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein said applying comprises applying automated closed loop blood pressure control.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the local electric field comprises an inhibitory electric field configured to relax the at least one blood vessel.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the local electric field comprises an excitatory electric field configured to constrict the at least one blood vessel.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one blood vessel includes at least one vessel selected from the group consisting of an abdominal vein and an aorta.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the subjective evaluation includes at least one feeling selected from the group consisting of dizziness, headache, lightheadedness and nausea.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the subjective evaluation includes at least one feeling selected from the group consisting of dizziness and pain.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one blood vessel comprises a large artery.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one blood vessel comprises a large vein.
13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing at least one electrode comprises implanting at least one electrode in a vessel.
14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing at least one electrode comprises providing a net-type electrode.
15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing at least one electrode comprises providing an elongate electrode.
16. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises selecting which blood vessel to which to apply said local electric field.
17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying an electric field to a plurality of blood vessels in response to said evaluation.
18. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises increasing a force of contraction of said at least one blood vessel by said applying.
19. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying in conjunction with a cardiac controller controlling a heart activity of said subject.
20. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying in synchronization with an ECG signal.
21. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying a non-excitatory electric field.