Methods and devices for modifying vascular parameters
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 change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure, wherein said local electric field is non-excitatory to said at least one blood vessel.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field causes a reduction in blood pressure.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field causes an increase in blood pressure.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of a large blood vessel.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of an aorta.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of an artery.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of a vein.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field reduces a diameter of said at least one blood vessel.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field increases a diameter of said at least one blood vessel.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to a blood vessel in spasm.
11. A method according to claim 1 , comprising reducing a preload to a heart by said applying.
12. A method according to claim 1 , comprising reducing a afterload of a heart by said applying.
13. A method according to claim 1 , comprising treating an acute ischemic event by said applying.
14. A method according to claim 1 , comprising treating angina pectoris by said applying.
15. A method according to claim 1 , comprising selecting at least one blood vessel to apply said local electric field from a plurality of blood vessels having an electrode adapted to apply a field thereto.
16. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises synchronizing said applying to a cardiac rhythm.
17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field includes a DC field.
18. A method according to claim 1 , comprising controlling at least one circulatory parameter using a closed loop on said parameter and performing said applying to modify said parameter.
19. A method according to claim 1 , comprising measuring a blood pressure using a controller and applying said field in response to said measurement, using said controller.
20. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one electrode comprises at least two electrodes arranged and axially spaced apart to apply said field along said blood vessel.
21. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one electrode is arranged to apply said field transverse to said blood vessel.
22. Apparatus for controlling at least one circulatory parameter, comprising:
at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one blood vessel; and
a controller configured to apply a local electric field suitable to change a diameter of a blood vessel and modify one or both of blood pressure and heart load, wherein said local electric field is non-excitatory to said at least one blood vessel.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said controller is configured to apply an electric field that causes a reduction in blood pressure.
24. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one electrode is configured to apply said electric field to the wall of a large blood vessel.
25. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said controller is configured to apply said electric field to treat an acute ischemic event.
26. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said controller is configured to apply said electric field to treat angina pectoris.
27. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said electric field includes a DC field.
28. An apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein said at least one electrode is configured to apply said field along said blood vessel.
29. An apparatus according to claim 22 , comprising at least one sensor and wherein said controller is configured to control at least one circulatory parameter using a closed loop based on a sensing from said sensor.
30. 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 change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure,
wherein said electric field causes an increase in blood pressure.
31. 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 change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure,
wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of a vein.
32. 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 change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure,
wherein said electric field reduces a diameter of said at least one blood vessel.
33. 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 change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure,
wherein said electric field includes a DC field.