Intravascular Device for Neuromodulation

Abstract

The present disclosure describes intravascular systems that may be used for a variety of functions. The elements of the disclosed systems include at least one device body implanted within the vasculature. Electrodes on a lead and/or on the device body itself are used to direct electrical energy to neurological targets. These systems may additionally include one or more fluid reservoirs housing drugs or other agents to be delivered to tissue.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of electrically modulating a nervous system target, comprising the steps of:
 introducing a neuromodulation implant into the vasculature of a patient, the neuromodulation implant including a device body and a pulse generator within the device body;   positioning at least one electrode within a superior vena cava of the patient, the electrode in communication with the device body,   chronically retaining the neuromodulation implant within the vasculature; and   with the electrode in the superior vena cava, stimulating the nervous system target using the electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein chronically retaining the neuromodulation implant retains the electrode in the superior vena cava. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein, when the neuromodulation implant is chronically retained, the device body is disposed in an inferior vena cava and the electrode is disposed in the superior vena cava. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is on a lead, and wherein the method further includes passing the lead and electrode into the superior vena cava to position the electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further including anchoring the lead within the superior vena cava. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the nervous system target includes a parasympathetic nervous system target. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the nervous system target includes a sympathetic nervous system target. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to according to  claim 1 , wherein stimulating the nervous system target includes stimulating a cardiac parasympathetic nerve target to treat atrial fibrillation. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein stimulating the nervous system target includes stimulating the vagus nerve to treat heart failure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein retaining the implant includes expanding an anchor into contact within the wall of the superior vena cava, the anchor retaining the implant. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neuromodulation implant includes a power source, and wherein the method further includes wirelessly recharging the power source using an external charging device. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the external charging device recharges the power source using inductive coupling. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the external charging device recharges the power source using an optical energy source impinging radiant energy through the body to a photovoltaic cell electrically connected to the power source. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the external charging device recharges the power source using a mechanical energy source impinging vibrational energy through the body to a piezoelectric element electrically connected to the power source. 
     
     
         15 . A neuromodulation system comprising:
 a neuromodulation implant including an intravascular pulse generator;   an anchor engageable with a wall of a superior vena cava to anchor the neuromodulation implant within the vasculature; and   at least one electrode carried by the anchor, wherein engagement of the blood vessel wall by the anchor positions the electrode in contact the superior vena cava wall proximate to a nervous system target.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , further including a lead extending between the pulse generator and the anchor, wherein the anchor is on the lead. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , including a plurality of electrodes on the anchor. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the anchor is a member radially expandable into contact with a blood vessel wall, wherein the electrode is on the radially expandable member. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , further including a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes on the member. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the neurostimulation implant is proportioned such that the pulse generator is disposed in an inferior vena cava when the anchor is engaged with the superior vena cava. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the system includes a sensor device positioned to detect a body condition, the implant configured to deliver one or more neuromodulation pulses at the electrode in response to feedback from the sensor device. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the sensor device is on the implant. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the sensor device is coupled to the implant and positionable at a location in the body remote from the anchoring location. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the sensor device is in wireless communication with the implant. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the sensor device is an extracorporeal sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is configured for implantation with the body of the patient. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the implant includes a rechargeable power source, and wherein the system further includes an external charging device positionable to inductively couple energy to the rechargeable power source. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 15 , further including a second anchor expandable to anchor a portion of the implant within a second blood vessel. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein the second blood vessel is the inferior vena cava.