Electrode configuration for implantable modulator
View Patent ↗A device according to some embodiments may include an implantable flexible carrier and a pair of electrodes located on the carrier. The electrodes may be spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and may be configured to cause, when supplied with an electrical signal, a unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate at least one nerve.
1. A hypertension therapy device for affecting blood pressure, comprising:
an implantable flexible carrier configured for implantation in a blood vessel of a subject in a vicinity of at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve; and
a pair of electrodes located on the carrier, wherein the electrodes are spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and are configured to facilitate, when supplied with an electrical signal, a substantially unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve.
2. The hypertension therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the modulation of the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve includes a modulation signal sufficient to affect the blood pressure of the subject.
3. The hypertension therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the substantially unidirectional field facilitated by the pair of electrodes extends through the wall of the blood vessel to modulate the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve.
4. The hypertension therapy device of claim 3 , wherein the pair of electrodes and the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve are spaced apart by a distance of at least 5 mm.
5. The hypertension therapy device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible carrier comprises attachment points configured for securing the flexible carrier to a surface of the blood vessel.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are configured to cause, when supplied with an electrical signal via an implantable circuit, a unidirectional electrical field.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are configured to modulate the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve when non-nerve tissue is interposed between the electrodes and the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are configured with a spacing distance such that the unidirectional electrical field is sufficient to modulate the at least one of a renal nerve, a carotid baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve located greater than 1 mm away from the electrodes.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible carrier includes attachment points configured for securing the flexible carrier to a surface of the non-nerve tissue.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible carrier further comprises an insulative coating, and
wherein the electrodes are exposed on one side of the flexible carrier.
11. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one pair of additional electrodes.
12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an antenna electrically coupled with an implantable circuit, wherein the antenna is adapted to receive a transmitted alternating current signal;
wherein the implantable circuit includes a converter configured to convert the alternating current signal into a direct current signal for delivery to the at least one pair of implantable electrodes.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the implantable circuit is located on the flexible carrier, and
wherein the antenna is located on the flexible carrier.