Vibrational therapy device used for resynchronization pacing in a treatment for heart failure

Abstract

Systems for pacing the heart include a vibrational transducer which directs energy at the heart, usually at at least a ventricle, to pace the heart and to promote synchronized contraction of the ventricles. Optionally, additional vibrational and/or electrical stimulation may be provided. The vibrational transducers are usually implantable at a location proximate the heart.

1 . A method for pacing the heart, the method comprising directing vibrational pacing energy to at least a portion of ventricular tissue of the heart, wherein the vibrational energy stimulates contraction of at least one ventricle.  
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the vibrational energy is selectively directed at left ventricular tissue.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the vibrational energy is selectively directed at right ventricular tissue.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the vibrational energy is directed at both left and right ventricular tissues.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is directed as one or more narrow beams.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is directed as one or more wide beams.  
   
   
       7 . A method in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is directed as any combination of one or more narrow or wide beams.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is delivered from a single implanted enclosure.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is delivered from two or more implanted enclosures.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the vibrational pacing energy is delivered from an external vibrational transducer.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising programming delivery of the vibrational energy to promote synchronized contraction of the left and right ventricles.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising electrically stimulating one or more regions of the heart in a coordinated pattern with the delivery of the vibrational pacing energy.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising detecting the presence or absence of cardiac signals originating in the ventricles or atria of the heart and triggering or inhibiting the delivery of electrical or vibrational energy based on programmed parameters.  
   
   
       14 . A pacing system comprising: 
 an implantable enclosure having circuitry for controlling a vibrational transducer under conditions selected to stimulate heart contraction when directed at cardiac tissue.    
   
   
       15 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the circuitry comprises a power amplifier, an impedance matching circuit, and a signal generator for controlling the vibrational transducer.  
   
   
       16 . A pacing system as in  claim 15 , further comprising circuitry for generating electrical pulse(s) for stimulating heart contraction and circuitry for detection of intrinsic cardiac signals.  
   
   
       17 . A pacing system as in  claim 16 , further comprising circuitry which analyzes detected intrinsic heart signals and which controls the electrical pulses and vibrational pacing to synchronize contraction of the left and right ventricles.  
   
   
       18 . A pacing system as in  claim 17 , wherein the electrical pulse circuitry and detection circuitry is located in the same enclosure as the vibrational transducer circuitry.  
   
   
       19 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the vibrational transducer is located within the enclosure.  
   
   
       20 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein the vibrational transducer is connected to the enclosure by a cable.  
   
   
       21 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein one or more vibrational transducers are located on a lead and positioned in the right ventricle.  
   
   
       22 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein one or more transducers are located on a lead and positioned in a subcutaneous location.  
   
   
       23 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein one or more transducers are located on a lead and positioned in the right atrium.  
   
   
       24 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein a vibrational transducer is directed to ventricular tissue.  
   
   
       25 . A pacing systems as in  claim 14 , wherein a vibrational transducer is directed to atrial tissue.  
   
   
       26 . A pacing system as in  claim 14 , wherein a vibrational transducer is directed to both atrial and ventricular tissue.  
   
   
       27 . A system as in  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure is adapted to include a cardioverter defibrillator.  
   
   
       28 . A system as in  claim 27 , wherein the cardioverter defibrillator uses electrical energy.  
   
   
       29 . A system as in  claim 27 , wherein the cardioverter defibrillator uses vibrational energy.  
   
   
       30 . A pacing system comprising: 
 a vibrational transducer; and    control circuitry for activating the vibrational transducer in order to deliver controlled vibrational energy to a target region of the heart under conditions selected to promote synchronized contraction of the ventricles.    
   
   
       31 . A pacing system as in  claim 30 , wherein the vibrational transducer is adapted to contact an exterior surface of the patient's skin and deliver the vibrational energy through the tissue overlying the target region of the heart.  
   
   
       32 . A pacing system as in  claim 31 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a power amplifier, an impedance matching circuit, and a signal generator for activating the vibrational transducer.  
   
   
       33 . A pacing system as in  claim 32 , further comprising control circuitry which analyzes detected intrinsic heart signals and which controls the vibrational energy to promote synchronized contraction of the ventricles.