Catheter and catheter system for electrical neuromodulation

Abstract

A catheter having an elongate body, at least two elongate stimulation members extending from the elongate body, at least one electrode on each of the elongate stimulation members, where the electrodes form an electrode array that receives and conducts electrical current. The elongate stimulation members curve only in the first volume defined at least in part by a first plane, and a second volume defined at least in part by the first plane and being opposite the first volume can contain no electrodes. The catheter can further include a position gauge having a marking that indicates a length between a second end of the elongate body and a bumper end of the position gauge. The catheter can also include a pulmonary artery catheter having a lumen, where the catheter extends through the lumen of the pulmonary artery catheter.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A catheter for increasing cardiac contractility by applying electrical neuromodulation, the catheter comprising:
 an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, a first plane including the longitudinal axis;   at least two elongate stimulation members, each of the at least two elongate stimulation members comprising an electrode, each of the at least two elongate stimulation members configured to reside in a first volume on a first side of the first plane to form an electrode array comprising the electrodes in the first volume;   conductive elements extending through each of the at least two elongate stimulation members, the conductive elements configured to conduct electrical current to combinations of two or more of the electrodes in the electrode array;   an anchor member configured to extend from the elongate body into a second volume on a second side of the first plane, the second side opposite the first side, wherein the anchor member does not include an electrode;   a pressure sensor;   a sensor conductive element extending through the elongate body, the sensor conductive element configured to conduct electrical signals from the pressure sensor; and   a structure extending between at least two of the least two elongate stimulation members, the structure comprising a mesh structure comprising flexible strands connected to form a pattern of openings between the elongate stimulation members.   
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the second volume contains no electrodes. 
     
     
         4 . A catheter system comprising:
 the catheter of  claim 2 ; and   a pulmonary artery including:
 an elongate pulmonary catheter body; 
 an inflatable balloon; and 
 an inflation lumen extending through the elongate pulmonary catheter body, the inflation lumen having an opening configured to allow fluid to inflate and deflate the inflatable balloon. 
   
     
     
         5 . A catheter for increasing cardiac contractility by applying electrical neuromodulation, the catheter comprising:
 an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, a first plane including the longitudinal axis;   at least two elongate stimulation members configured to extend from the elongate body, each of the at least two elongate stimulation members comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode, each of the at least two elongate stimulation members configured to reside in a first volume on a first side of the first plane to form an electrode array comprising the electrodes in the first volume;   conductive elements extending through each of the at least two elongate stimulation members, the conductive elements configured to conduct electrical current to combinations of two or more of the electrodes in the electrode array; and   a mesh structure extending across and between the proximal and distal ends of at least two of the at least two elongate stimulation members.   
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the second volume contains no electrodes. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 5 , further comprising a sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a blood oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, or an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A catheter system comprising:
 the catheter of  claim 5 ; and   a pulmonary artery including:
 an elongate pulmonary catheter body; 
 an inflatable balloon; and 
 an inflation lumen extending through the elongate pulmonary catheter body, the inflation lumen having an opening configured to allow fluid to inflate and deflate the inflatable balloon. 
   
     
     
         11 . The catheter system of  claim 5 , wherein the structure is expandable from a delivery state to an anchored expanded state. 
     
     
         12 . A catheter for increasing cardiac contractility by applying electrical neuromodulation, the catheter comprising:
 an elongate body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, a first plane including the longitudinal axis;   a plurality of elongate stimulation members, each elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members comprising a plurality of electrodes, each elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members configured to be in a first volume on a first side of the first plane to form an electrode array comprising the electrodes in the first volume; and   a mesh structure extending across at least two of the plurality of elongate stimulation members, the mesh structure comprising a low-profile delivery state and a deployed state, the deployed state including a pre-defined shape configured to locate and position the plurality of elongate stimulation members.   
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the second volume contains no electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 12 , further comprising a sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , further comprising a sensor conductive element extending through the elongate body, wherein the sensor conductive element is configured to conduct electrical signals from the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a blood oxygen sensor, a pressure sensor, or an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         18 . A catheter system comprising:
 the catheter of  claim 12 ; and   a pulmonary artery catheter.   
     
     
         19 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the pulmonary artery catheter comprises:
 an opening configured to allow fluid to inflate and deflate the inflatable balloon.   an elongate pulmonary catheter body;   an inflatable balloon; and   an inflation lumen extending through the elongate pulmonary catheter body, the inflation lumen having an opening configured to allow fluid to inflate and deflate the inflatable balloon.   
     
     
         20 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein each elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the mesh structure extends across and between the proximal and distal ends of at least two elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein each elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the mesh structure extends across and between the proximal and distal ends of each elongate stimulation member of the plurality of elongate stimulation members.