Method and device for electronically controlling the beating of a heart using venous electrical stimulation of nerve fibers

Abstract

An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for arresting the beat of a heart in a living body comprising the steps of connecting the pair of electrodes to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat and supplying an electrical current to the electrodes of sufficient amplitude and duration to arrest the heartbeat. The device may also serve to still the lungs by input to a respirator or by stimulation of the phrenic nerve during surgical procedures.

1. A method for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising the steps of:
 advancing a lead carrying an array of electrodes through the vascular system to a point within a vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;  
 selectively employing electrodes within the array to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and  
 delivering electrical pulses to the selectively employed electrodes.  
 
     
     
       2. A method for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising the steps of:
 advancing a lead carrying electrodes through the vascular system to a point within an internal jugular vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;  
 employing electrodes to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and  
 delivering electrical pulses to the employed electrodes.  
 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent vagus nerve fibers. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent hypoglossal nerve fibers. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent phrenic nerve fibers. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes within an azygous vein. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes within a hemizygous vein. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to said position said electrodes adjacent parasympathetic nerve fibers. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1  wherein said advancing step comprises advancing said lead to position said electrodes adjacent sympathetic nerve fibers. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for stimulating desired nerve fibers within a living body, comprising:
 a transverse lead carrying an array of electrodes locatable in the vascular system at a point within a vein adjacent the nerve fibers to be stimulated;  
 switch means for selectively employing electrodes within the array to direct electrical pulses applied to the electrodes to the desired nerve fibers; and  
 pulse generator means for delivering electrical pulses to the selectively employed electrodes.  
 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said array is locatable in a patients internal jugular vein adjacent the patient's vagus nerve, and wherein said device further comprises cardiac pacing means for stimulating heartbeats following delivery of pulses to the electrode array. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 10  or  claim 11  further comprising phrenic nerve stimulation electrodes locatable adjacent the patients phrenic nerve and means for delivering electrical pulses to the phrenic nerve stimulation electrodes in conjunction with delivery of pulses to the electrode array.