Excitable tissue control signal delivery to the right ventricular septum
Apparatus for applying a signal to a heart of a human subject is provided. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be coupled to the right ventricular septum of the heart. A control unit of the apparatus is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the septum. Preferably, the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of a portion of the heart.
1. A method for applying a signal to a heart of a human subject, comprising applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to a site on the right ventricular septum of the heart.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of a portion of the heart.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the left ventricle of the heart.
4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the septum.
5. A method according to claim 2 , wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the right ventricle of the heart.
6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of increasing contractility of the portion of the heart.
7. A method according to claim 2 , wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal to be capable of decreasing contractility of the portion of the heart.
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein configuring the ETC signal to be capable of decreasing the contractility comprises configuring the signal to be capable of decreasing contractility of the septum.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of biphasic pulses.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of generally square pulses.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of pulses at a rate greater than about 50 Hz.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of pulses at a rate less than about 100 Hz.
13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of pulses at a rate between about 50 Hz and 100 Hz.
14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of pulses which are greater than about 8 mA.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying a series of pulses which are greater than about 10 mA.
16. A method according to claim 1 , wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying the ETC signal to a site at or adjacent to an intersection of the septum and the right ventricular free wall.
17. Apparatus for applying a signal to a heart of a human subject, comprising:
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be coupled to the right ventricular septum of the heart; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the septum.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of a portion of the heart.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the left ventricle of the heart.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18 , the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the septum.
21. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of the right ventricle of the heart.
22. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of increasing contractility of the portion of the heart.
23. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of decreasing contractility of the portion of the heart.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of decreasing contractility of the septum.
25. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of biphasic pulses.
26. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of generally square pulses.
27. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of pulses at a rate greater than about 50 Hz.
28. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of pulses at a rate less than about 100 Hz.
29. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of pulses at a rate between about 50 Hz and 100 Hz.
30. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of pulses which are greater than about 8 mA.
31. Apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a series of pulses which are greater than about 10 mA.
32. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal to a site at or adjacent to an intersection of the septum and the right ventricular free wall.