Renal nerve neuromodulation device

摘要

A neuromodulation device includes an ablation valve with electrodes provided about its circumference. The valve dynamically reacts to fluid pressure within the vessel. When a pressure within and distal said ablation valve is greater than the body fluid pressure within the vessel, said ablation valve closes and the electrodes move out of contact with the endothelium of the vessel. When a pressure within and distal the ablation valve is less than the body fluid pressure upstream of the valve, the valve opens such that the electrodes are in circumferential contact with the endothelium. Fluid can be injected into the valve to alter the local pressure about the valve and force the electrodes into contact with the endothelium.

主权项

1. A neuromodulation device for use in a vessel having an endothelium and carrying body fluid with a fluid pressure, comprising:
a) an elongate flexible introducer having a proximal end and distal end; b) an expandable ablation valve at said distal end of said introducer, said ablation valve having a proximal surface, a distal surface, a circumference, and a plurality of electrodes displaced about said circumference, said ablation valve adapted to dynamically react to fluid pressure within the vessel such that,
i) when a pressure within and on said distal surface of said ablation valve is less than the fluid pressure on said proximal surface of said ablation valve, said ablation valve is in a retreated configuration in which said electrodes are configured to be out of circumferential contact with the endothelium of the vessel, andii) when said pressure within and on said distal surface of said ablation valve is greater than the fluid pressure on said proximal surface of said ablation valve, said ablation valve is in a contact configuration in which said electrodes are configured to be in circumferential contact with the endothelium of the vessel; and c) a conductor extending along said introducer, said conductor having a distal end electrically coupled to said electrodes of said ablation valve and a proximal end extended to a terminal for coupling to a RF generator.