Methods of treating medical conditions by transvascular neuromodulation of the autonomic nervous system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of treating a respiratory or pulmonary condition by transvascular neuromodulation of a target site adjacent to an adrenal gland. A method for treating a respiratory or pulmonary condition via transvascular neuromodulation incorporating a closed-loop feedback system is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient suffering from a pulmonary or respiratory condition comprising:
 inserting a therapy delivery device into a vessel of the patient's body;   advancing the therapy delivery device in the vessel to a position adjacent to a target site, the target site adjacent to an adrenal gland; and   activating the therapy delivery device to deliver a therapy signal to the target site to electrically or chemically modulate the adrenal gland to treat the patient's pulmonary or respiratory condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapy delivery device is an electrode and the therapy delivery device electrically modulates the adrenal gland. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapy delivery device is a drug port and the therapy delivery device chemically modulates the adrenal gland. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a vein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the vessel is a renal vein or a tributary thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the vein is an inferior vena cava or a tributary thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pulmonary or respiratory condition is asthma. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pulmonary or respiratory condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pulmonary or respiratory condition requires ventilatory assistance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target site is in communication with the sympathetic nerve chain. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target site innervates the adrenal gland. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target site comprises a celiac plexus, a celiac ganglion, a splanchnic nerve, or an abdominal ganglion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the abdominal ganglion comprises a mesenteric ganglion. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a patient suffering from a respiratory or pulmonary condition comprising:
 inserting a therapy delivery device into a vessel of the patient's body;   advancing the therapy delivery device in the vessel to a position adjacent to a target site, the target site adjacent to an adrenal gland;   activating the therapy delivery device to deliver a therapy signal to the target site to electrically or chemically modulate the adrenal gland;   sensing a bodily activity associated with the respiratory or pulmonary condition and generating a sensor signal; and   activating the therapy delivery device to adjust application of the therapy signal to the target site in response to the sensor signal to treat the patient's respiratory or pulmonary condition.