34 results about "Renal nerve" patented technology

Apparatus, systems, and methods provide access to the renal pelvis of a kidney to treat renal nerves embedded in tissue surrounding the renal pelvis. Access to the renal pelvis may be via the urinary tract or via minimally invasive incisions through the abdomen and kidney tissue. Treatment is effected by exchanging energy, typically delivering heat or extracting heat through a wall of the renal pelvis, or by delivering active substances to ablate a thin layer of tissue lining at least a portion of the renal pelvis to disrupt renal nerves within the tissue lining of the renal pelvis.

A catheter is provided which exhibits higher resolution at its distal end. The higher resolution can be accomplished by combining and amplifying signals received at electrodes locally. These combined and amplified signals can then be digitized locally and transmitted for further processing. Optical communication channels may be used.

Essentially, the present invention comprises an assembly for transvascular stimulation from within an artery, enabling nerve stimulation to one or more regions of the autonomic nervous system around an artery by a bipolar guidewire having a distal end of a suitable shape, and this stimulation can be performed rapidly or for mapping purposes.

A system for denervation of nerves of a blood vessel including a catheter for navigation within a blood vessel of a patient, the catheter including electrodes and configured to apply a therapy to nerves beyond a wall of the blood vessel, a therapy source in communication with a distal portion of the catheter, and a stimulation source configured to output a neural block stimulation signal to at least a first of the electrodes and configured to output a first low frequency stimulation signal to at least a second of the electrodes, wherein application of the neural block stimulation signal via the electrodes to the wall of a blood vessel generates a neural block in afferent sympathetic nerves proximate the wall of the blood vessel, and application of the low frequency stimulation triggers a response in efferent sympathetic nerves proximate the wall of the blood vessel.

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for treating kidney disease in a human patient are disclosed. A method includes advancing a collapsible array of RF electrodes through a urinary tract of the patient in collapsed form and into a position in or near a renal pelvis. The effector is deployed to an expanded form to engage at least a portion of an interior wall of the renal pelvis. RF energy delivered through the array of electrodes target afferent nerves proximate the interior wall of the renal pelvis to inhibit or destroy their function. eGFR of the patient can be raised after treatment according to the method.

A system is provided for stimulating renal nerves. The system includes an interstitial device to provide stimulation and denervation of the renal nerves from outside the renal artery. The interstitial device extends through non-vascular tissue and into a periarterial space. The system also includes a control unit in communication with the interstitial device, configured to: obtain, from a sensor, first information pertaining to a blood pressure or heart rate; stimulate, using one or more electrodes of the interstitial device, renal sympathetic nerves associated with the renal artery; and obtain, from the sensor, second information pertaining to the blood pressure or heart rate of the subject. Based on a difference between the first information and the second information, the control unit determines whether the subject is suitable for a sympathetic denervation procedure and causes the interstitial device to perform the sympathetic denervation procedure if the subject is suitable.

Provided herein are methods, devices, compositions, and kits for monitoring neuromodulation efficacy based on changes in the level or activity of one or more target biomarkers. A method can include transluminally delivering a distal portion of an elongated shaft of a catheter to a target renal blood vessel and at least partially inhibiting sympathetic neural activity of a renal nerve. The method includes determining a post-neuromodulation level of one or more biomarkers after at least partially inhibiting the sympathetic neural activity of the renal nerve, wherein the level of the one or more biomarkers directly or indirectly correlates with sympathetic nervous activity in the patient. The method can include comparing the post-neuromodulation level to a predetermined level for the one or more biomarkers, wherein the renal neuromodulation procedure is classified as at least partially successful if the post-neuromodulation level differs from the predetermined level.

Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated devices, system, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to neuromodulating nerve tissue in selected anatomical regions. In one embodiment, the method can include intravascularly advancing an elongate shaft of a catheter to renal vasculature of a human patient and locating a first neuromodulation element of the catheter within a distalmost portion of a main renal artery. The method includes locating a second neuromodulation element of the catheter within a branch vessel of the renal artery distal to a bifurcation at a distal end of the main renal artery. Neuromodulation of the nerve tissue surrounding the selected anatomical treatment locations can inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a portion of a renal artery and / or a renal branch artery proximate a renal parenchyma.

To provide agents for labeling and locating renal nerve.SOLUTION: A provided agent comprises human neuron or nerve-targeting molecule to be used by a method comprising: (a) contacting the renal nerve in the renal arterial wall with an agent, thereby labeling the renal nerve in the renal artery wall; and (b) illuminating the cargo through the renal artery wall in the kidney; receiving fluorescent light from the cargo; and using the received fluorescent light to determine the position of renal nerve in the renal artery wall during operation of a subject; and (c) using the position of the renal nerve in the renal artery wall for irradiating or guiding ablation of the renal nerve in the renal artery wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Devices, agents, and associated methods for selective modulation of renal nerves by localized delivery of neural ablative substances are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to a method for delivering a neuromodulatory agent (e.g., capsaicin) via a catheter to a kidney of the patient. The neuromodulatory agent selectively neuromodulates afferent renal nerves in a patient compared efferent renal nerves of the patient. The method can also include removing the catheter from the patient after delivering the neuromodulatory agent to conclude the procedure.

Blood flow to the kidney primarily comes from the renal arteries which are controlled by the renal plexus. This plexus is innervated by the sympathetic chain and dorsal root ganglion upstream. In this embodiment neuromodulation of dorsal root ganglion between T8 and L3 can be used to alter renal blood flow and, thus, blood pressure. The neuromodulation at at frequencies between 0.01 Hz and 19.99 Hz at these DRG levels can be used to increase blood flow to the kidneys and to treat hypertension.

A system and method for denervation of nerves of a blood vessel including a catheter including a plurality of electrodes and configured to apply a therapy to nerves beyond a wall of the blood vessel, a therapy source in communication with a distal portion of the catheter, a stimulation source configured to output a neural block stimulation signal to at least one electrode, the stimulation source in electrical communication with the at least one electrode, and wherein application of the neural block stimulation signal an electrode to a wall of the blood vessel generates a neural block in nerves proximate the wall of the blood vessel, and a detector configured to detect a change in vascular tone of the blood vessel, wherein a change in vascular tone following application of the neural block stimulation signal indicates that the electrodes are located proximate sympathetic nerves.

Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

The invention discloses an improved multi-electrode renal nerve ablation catheter and a using method thereof. The improved multi-electrode renal nerve ablation catheter comprises a catheter body, a control line and an umbrella-shaped structure. A hollow channel is formed in the catheter body, the control line is arranged in the hollow channel, the tail end of the control line extends out of the tail end of the catheter body, and the umbrella-shaped structure is located at the tail end of the control line. The umbrella-shaped structure comprises a plurality of elastic petals, the elastic petals are arranged in a surrounding mode, the tail ends of the elastic petals are connected with the control line, the gathering degree of the elastic petals is adjusted by adjusting the tightness of the control line, and then the front end of the catheter body is adjusted to be bent to the needed angle and position. By means of the innovative catheter design and operation method, the flexibility of the catheter when the catheter enters a branch blood vessel and the good attachment of the catheter in the renal artery are achieved, and therefore the accuracy of an operation and the treatment effect of a patient are improved.

The present invention provides a microwave ablation catheter designed for renal nerve ablation, incorporating an advanced cooling system to optimize performance. The catheter features a body with distal and proximal portions, housing a microwave antenna within the distal portion. This antenna, in electrical communication with a microwave generator, delivers microwave energy for tissue ablation. There is a cooling system comprising an external coolant pump that directs cooling fluid from a first internal lumen to a second internal lumen. The fluid contacts the microwave antenna before entering the second lumen. A first thermocouple within the second lumen monitors temperature and communicates with the coolant pump to dynamically adjust the flow rate of the cooling fluid based on sensed temperature thresholds.

This invention relates to a device for mapping and ablating the renal nerves distributed on the renal artery, said device comprising a guide catheter, a mapping-ablation catheter, a handle and a connector. The guide catheter has at least one lumen and a distal end with adjustable curvature. The mapping-ablation catheter is housed in one of the lumens of the guide catheter and its distal end has one or more electrodes and one or more detecting devices. The distal end of the mapping-ablation catheter is curved, rotatable, and can be extended out of or retracted into the guide catheter. The handle connects the guide catheter and mapping-ablation catheter, and comprises one or more controlling components for controlling the movement of the guide catheter and mapping-ablation catheter. The connector is designed to supply energy to the electrodes.

The application provides a real-time feedback imaging system for assisting percutaneous renal denervation, comprising a catheter assembly, a controller connected with the catheter assembly and an imaging element connected with the controller; wherein the catheter assembly is used for ablating an ablation site in a patient's body and collecting information about the ablation site; the controller is used for determining the catheter position, the ablated site and the ablation times of the site according to the real-time acquired fluoroscopy image of the catheter moving in the renal artery, and determining the ablation effect according to the information about the ablation site; the application has the beneficial effect that based on the image processing system and the sensing system, the application can real-time feedback the progress of RDN on the imaging element, including the catheter position, the ablated site, the ablation times of the site and the ablation effect, etc., which provides convenience for the operation of the operator, thereby improving the safety and effectiveness of RDN.

Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for treating PKD by providing access to a patient's renal pelvis of a kidney to treat renal nerves embedded in tissue surrounding the renal pelvis. Access to the renal pelvis may be via the urinary tract or via minimally invasive incisions through the abdomen and kidney tissue. Treatment is effected by exchanging energy, typically delivering heat or extracting heat through a wall of the renal pelvis, or by delivering active substances to ablate a thin layer of tissue lining at least a portion of the renal pelvis to disrupt renal nerves within the tissue lining of the renal pelvis.

Apparatus, systems, and methods provide access to the renal pelvis of a kidney to treat renal nerves embedded in tissue surrounding the renal pelvis. Access to the renal pelvis may be via the urinary tract or via minimally invasive incisions through the abdomen and kidney tissue. Treatment is effected by exchanging energy, typically delivering heat or extracting heat through a wall of the renal pelvis, or by delivering active substances to ablate a thin layer of tissue lining at least a portion of the renal pelvis to disrupt renal nerves within the tissue lining of the renal pelvis

An apparatus includes a processor configured for communication with an intravascular imaging catheter. The processor is configured to control the intravascular imaging catheter to obtain a plurality of intravascular images during movement of the catheter along a length of a renal artery, where the plurality of intravascular images depicts one or more nerve bundles for targeting during a renal denervation treatment. The processor performs co-registration between a plurality of nerve bundle data points representative of the nerve bundles and associated with a treatment location along the length of the renal artery for the renal denervation treatment; and a first X-ray image of the renal artery obtained with a contrast fluid inside the renal artery. The processor outputs, to a display, a screen display based on the co-registration and configured to guide a user regarding the renal denervation treatment.

Systems and methods for performing a treatment procedure using a treatment device comprising electrodes by applying stimulation signals from the electrodes to a vascular wall; observing a physiological response to the stimulation signal; applying a therapy to the vessel wall; applying another stimulation signal from the electrodes to the blood vessel; and observing a second physiological response to the second stimulation signal. The therapy is successful when the second physiological response differs from the first physiological response by more than a threshold.

The invention relates to a catheter for transvascular stimulation and denervation of a part of the autonomic nervous system of the human body, in particular for transvascular stimulation of the renal nerves or stimulation of the carotid body. The invention essentially consists of a catheter that allows both electrical neurostimulation of one or more regions of the autonomic nervous system around the artery for mapping the eye and denervation of the one or more mapped regions if the one or more mapped regions are targets of interest.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for treating PKD by providing access to a patient's renal pelvis of a kidney to treat renal nerves embedded in tissue surrounding the renal pelvis. Access to the renal pelvis may be via the urinary tract or via minimally invasive incisions through the abdomen and kidney tissue. Treatment is effected by exchanging energy, typically delivering heat or extracting heat through a wall of the renal pelvis, or by delivering active substances to ablate a thin layer of tissue lining at least a portion of the renal pelvis to disrupt renal nerves within the tissue lining of the renal pelvis.

The application relates to an assembly for the transvascular stimulation of part of the autonomic nervous system of a human body, in particular for transvascular renal nerve stimulation or transvascular stimulation of the carotid body. The application essentially consists of an assembly for unipolar transvascular stimulation from inside an artery, which enables nerve stimulation of the region(s) of the autonomic nervous system around the artery, it being possible for this stimulation to be either rapid or for mapping purposes.

In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for treating kidney disease in a human patient are disclosed. A method includes advancing a collapsible array of RF electrodes through a urinary tract of the patient in collapsed form and into a position in or near a renal pelvis. The effector is deployed to an expanded form to engage at least a portion of an interior wall of the renal pelvis. RF energy delivered through the array of electrodes target afferent nerves proximate the interior wall of the renal pelvis to inhibit or destroy their function. eGFR of the patient can be raised after treatment according to the method.

Devices, systems, and methods for planning radiosurgical treatments for neuromodulating a portion of the renovascular system may be used to plan radiosurgical neuromodulation treatments for conditions or disease associated with elevated central sympathetic drive. The renal nerves may be located and targeted at the level of the ganglion and / or at postganglionic positions, as well as preganglionic positions. Target regions include the renal plexus, celiac ganglion, the superior mesenteric ganglion, the aorticorenal ganglion and the aortic plexus. Planning of radiosurgical treatments will optionally employ a graphical representation of a blood / tissue interface adjacent these targets.

Systems and methods for performing and assessing neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. One method for assessing the efficacy of neuromodulation therapy includes positioning a neuromodulation catheter at a target site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient and delivering neuromodulation energy at the target site with the neuromodulation catheter. The method can further include obtaining a measurement related to a blood flow rate through the renal blood vessel via the neuromodulation catheter. The measurement can be compared to a baseline measurement related to the blood flow rate through the renal blood vessel to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation therapy. In some embodiments, the baseline and post-neuromodulation measurements are obtained by injecting an indicator fluid into the renal blood vessel upstream of the target site and detecting a transient change in vessel impedance caused by the indicator fluid.