Catheter-based devices and associated methods for immune system neuromodulation

Abstract

Catheter-based devices and associated methods for immune system neuromodulation of human patients are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods of treating a human patient diagnosed with an immune system condition. The methods can include intravascularly positioning a neuromodulation catheter within a blood vessel proximate to neural fibers innervating an immune system organ of the patient. The method also includes reducing sympathetic neural activity in the patient by delivering energy to the neural fibers innervating the immune system organ via the neuromodulation catheter. Reducing sympathetic neural activity improves a measurable physiological parameter corresponding to the immune system condition of the patient.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A neuromodulation apparatus for treating a human patient diagnosed with an immune system condition, the neuromodulation apparatus comprising:
 an energy delivery console external to the patient; and   a catheter including an energy delivery element sized and shaped for intravascular placement within a blood vessel proximate to target neural fibers innervating an immune system organ of the patient, wherein the energy delivery element is operably coupled to the energy delivery console,   wherein the energy delivery console causes delivery of an energy field, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient, and   wherein delivery of the energy field at least partially disrupts communication along the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ and improves a measurable physiological parameter corresponding to the immune system condition of the patient.   
     
     
         22 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein a distal portion of the catheter further comprises an expandable element configured for expansion from a low-profile delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration within the blood vessel of the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the expandable element is configured to center the energy delivery element within the blood vessel of the patient. 
     
     
         24 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the expandable element is configured to position the energy delivery element in contact with an inner wall of the blood vessel of the patient. 
     
     
         25 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the expandable element comprises an inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         26 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the inflatable balloon comprises the energy delivery electrode. 
     
     
         27 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery element is configured to deliver radio frequency (RF) energy to the target neural fibers. 
     
     
         28 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver sufficient RF energy to ablate the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver sufficient RF energy to partially ablate the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient,. 
     
     
         30 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver ultrasound energy, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         31 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver high intensity focused ultrasound energy, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         32 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver laser energy, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         33 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver microwave energy, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         34 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the energy delivery console is configured to deliver cytotherapeutic energy, via the energy delivery element, to the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ of the patient. 
     
     
         35 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the catheter is configured for intravascular placement within the blood vessel innervating the immune system organ of the patient over a guidewire. 
     
     
         36 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the catheter including the energy delivery element is sized and shaped for intravascular placement within at least one of the splenic artery, splenic branch artery, or splenic vein of the patient. 
     
     
         37 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the catheter further comprises an element for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient. 
     
     
         38 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein at least partially disrupting communication along the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ via delivery of the energy field comprises reducing a degree of inflammation in the subject. 
     
     
         39 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein at least partially disrupting communication along the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ via delivery of the energy field comprises reducing a level of one or more markers of inflammation in the patient. 
     
     
         40 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 39  wherein at least one of the markers of inflammation is selected from the group consisting of interleukins, high-sensitivity C-reactive proteins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and heat shock proteins. 
     
     
         41 . The neuromodulation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein at least partially disrupting communication along the target neural fibers innervating the immune system organ via delivery of the energy field comprises improving an antibody titer or a white blood cell count in the patient within about three months to about 12 months after at least partially disrupting communication along the target neural fibers via delivery of the energy field.