Erythropoeitin production by electrical stimulation

Abstract

Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for treating human anemia. The methods, devices, and systems generally include monitoring a patient's hemoglobin level and at least one of autonomic balance and inflammatory state to determine the etiology of the anemic state, modulating at least one of a sympathetic or parasympathetic nerve based on the cause of the anemia, monitoring for changes in the patient's cardiac activity and state of inflammation, and hemoglobin level. An external neurostimulation system is describes, and well as a chronic implantable system. A method for treating a patient for anemia in conjunction with a renal denervation ablation catheter is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for treating anemia in a human patient comprising:
 an external neural stimulator configured to stimulate at least one of a sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve in the patient's neck or spine, wherein stimulation of the sympathetic nerve effects renal blood flow and stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve decreases the patient's inflammation state;   an external cardiac sensor configured to monitor the patient cardiac activity, configured to provide the external neural stimulator with feedback for determining stimulation parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pulse generator configured to generate a pre-pulse prior to generating a therapeutic pulse to the neck or spinal cord in order to prepare the Na +  channels of neurons in the spinal cord and neck for activation. 
     
     
         3 . A method of treating anemia in a human patient comprising:
 ablating renal nerves of a patient using an ablation catheter;   permanently implanting one or more neuromodulation leads into the patient;   applying neurostimulation to at least one of a parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve using the neuromodulation lead to therapeutically treat the patient's anemia.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the lead is implanted into the renal vasculature of the patient, and wherein the neurostimulation is applied to the nerves of the renal vasculature. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the ablation catheter is configured for both permanent ablation and non-permanent electrically modulate nerves. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising using the one or more neuromodulation leads to neuromodulate the central nervous system in order to stimulate the production of catecholamines and neuropeptides. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising using one or more neuromodulation leads to neuromodulate the vagal nerve of the patient in order to reduce inflammation and/or restore autonomic balance.