Energetic modulation of nerves

Abstract

In some examples, nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some examples, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some examples, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents or the agents are enhanced by the energy sources.

1 - 148 . (canceled) 
     
     
         149 . A method for inhibiting or modulating a function of a renal nerve in a patient's kidney, comprising:
 introducing an effector into an interior of the kidney or a calyx; and   delivering energy through a wall of a structure in a renal hilum to renal nerves in the renal hilum using the effector.   
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the effector comprises electrodes, and the energy comprises radiofrequency energy. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the effector is a micro-catheter, and the act of delivering energy comprises using the micro-catheter to create lesions at calyces of the kidney. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the effector is a micro-catheter, and the act of delivering energy comprises using the micro-catheter to direct ultrasound energy received from outside the patient to the renal hilum of the kidney. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the effector is a catheter, and the act of delivering energy comprises using the catheter to emit ultrasound from within the structure in the renal hilum to the renal nerves. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the structure in the renal hilum is a least one of: an artery, a vein, an ureter, and a calyx. 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the structure in the renal hilum is the calyx. 
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the effector is an implant, and the act of delivering energy comprises generating energy using the effector chronically over a period of time. 
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the energy is delivered to selectively alter a portion of a sympathetic nervous system of the kidney. 
     
     
         158 . A method of inhibiting or modulating a function of a renal nerve in a hilum of a kidney in a patient, comprising:
 placing an energy transducer external to a patient;   targeting a structure in the hilum of the kidney, the structure associated with renal nerves which are a part of a autonomic nervous system; and   transmitting energy through a skin of the patient towards the structure to affect the function of at least one of the nerves.   
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the structure in the hilum comprises at least one of: an artery, a vein, and a ureter. 
     
     
         160 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the structure comprises a catheter for providing a positional signal, and the act of targeting comprises receiving the positional signal at a position that is outside the patient. 
     
     
         161 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the act of targeting comprises imaging the structure from a position outside the patient. 
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the act of targeting comprises imaging the structure with ultrasound imaging from a position outside the patient. 
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the act of targeting comprises targeting chemosensors at the hilum of the kidney. 
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 158 , wherein the act of targeting comprises targeting mechanosensors at the hilum of the kidney. 
     
     
         165 . A method of affecting a function of a kidney, comprising:
 identifying one or more target areas containing nerves which are associated with kidney function;   placing the one or more target areas in a three dimensional coordinate frame; and   applying ablative or non-ablative energy to at least one of: a renal vein, a renal artery, an aorta, a vena cava, a renal hilum, a renal parenchyma, a renal medulla, and a renal cortex.   
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 165 , wherein act of applying comprises applying microwave energy. 
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 165 , wherein the act of applying comprises applying ultrasound energy. 
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 165 , wherein the act of applying comprises applying radiofrequency energy.