Methods for renal neuromodulation via catheters having expandable treatment members

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for monopolar neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such monopolar neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, monopolar neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such monopolar neuromodulation is performed bilaterally.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
intravascularly positioning a renal denervation catheter in a reduced profile delivery configuration within a renal artery of a human patient and adjacent to renal nerves; transforming an expandable member at a distal region of the catheter from the low-profile delivery configuration to a treatment configuration, wherein, in the treatment configuration, the expandable member is sized and shaped to place a plurality of electrodes arranged thereabout into apposition with an inner wall of the renal artery of the patient; selectively energizing a first electrode group carried by the expandable member to deliver a first bipolar energy field to the renal nerves; and selectively energizing a second electrode group carried by the expandable member to deliver a second bipolar energy field to the renal nerves, wherein delivering the first and second bipolar energy fields blocks or attenuates neural signaling along the renal nerves.