Carotid Sinus Nerve Stimulation Synced to Cardiac Depolarization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for treating hypertension and heart failure, such as those targeting the carotid sinus nerve, are ineffective for many patients and do not adapt to individual patient activity, leading to suboptimal therapy outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A patient treatment system that senses cardiac depolarization and adjusts neuromodulation parameters based on physiological parameters like heart rate and blood pressure, positioning electrodes proximate to carotid sinus afferent fibers to provide non-tonic therapy that mimics natural baroreceptor responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If tonic therapy is applied to the carotid sinus nerve, then the device provides continuous stimulation, but the therapy becomes ineffective due to abnormal signal relay mechanisms in patients with hypertension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous stimulationVSAvoidtherapy effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by delivering neuromodulation pulses in response to detected cardiac depolarization events rather than continuous tonic stimulation. The system senses cardiac depolarization and delivers a predetermined number of pulses in response to each detected event, creating a physiological-synchronized periodic stimulation pattern that restores natural baroreflex signaling in hypertensive patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring cardiac depolarization events and adjusting stimulation delivery accordingly. The neuromodulator detects cardiac depolarization and uses this information to trigger appropriate neuromodulation pulse sequences, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the patient's physiological state and ensures effective therapy delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the device provides fixed-frequency stimulation, then the stimulation parameters remain constant, but the therapy does not adapt to patient activity levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed stimulation parametersVSAvoidresponse to patient activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by transitioning from fixed-frequency stimulation to variable-frequency stimulation that adapts to patient activity. The neuromodulator adjusts the frequency and number of pulses delivered based on the detected cardiac depolarization rate and patient physiological state, enabling the device to respond dynamically to changing activity levels while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-generated harmful factors

If radiofrequency energy is applied to denervate kidney arteries, then the procedure attempts to treat resistant hypertension, but the device has not been proven effective as desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistant hypertensionVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical/thermal denervation approach (radiofrequency energy applied to kidney arteries) with a neuromodulation approach that uses electrical pulses to stimulate the carotid sinus nerve. This substitution shifts from destructive thermal energy to controlled electrical stimulation, restoring natural baroreflex function without the proven ineffectiveness of prior denervation devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively lowers blood pressure and treats hypertension by providing personalized neuromodulation that adapts to patient activity, offering improved therapy over existing devices.

Implementation Method 1

sensing cardiac depolarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCardiac depolarization detection: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 2

stimulating the carotid sinus nerve afferent fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeuromodulation stimulation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentUS12629526B2Patient treatment systems for sensing cardiac depolarization and/or stimulating the carotid sinus nerve, and associated devices and methods

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 ALFRED E MANN FOUND FOR SCI RES

AI summary

Patient treatment systems and methods for sensing cardiac depolarization and/or stimulating the carotid sinus nerve are disclosed herein. Exemplary patient treatment systems can include a neuromodulator and an implantable signal delivery device electrically coupleable to the neuromodulator. The signal delivery device comprises a lead body including a first region, a second region positionable over the first region, and lead electrodes. The patient treatment system further comprises computer-readable media having instructions that cause the patient treatment system to perform operations comprising: (i) obtaining a physiological parameter of the patient, (ii) generating neuromodulation pulses based on the obtained physiological parameter, and (iii) delivering the neuromodulation pulses to the CSN afferent fibers via one or more of the lead electrodes. The physiological parameter can include at least one of blood pressure, heart rate, bioimpedance, or activity level of the patient.