ULTRASOUND APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR RENAL NEUROMODULATION

摘要

Medical devices, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by extracorporeal application of energy are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a device that employs high-intensity focused ultrasound. The high-intensity focused ultrasound may be used for application of energy to modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or to vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. The ultrasound transducer for delivering the energy may be located remotely from the desired treatment area and/or may be located outside the patient's body. In particular embodiments, an ultrasound transducer may be coupled to a targeting system that may be extracorporeal or intravascular.

主权项

1. A system for extracorporeal renal neuromodulation of a human patient, the system comprising:
a non-invasive ultrasound transducer including a housing configured to be applied to a patient's skin; an ultrasound energy source operably coupled to the ultrasound transducer; an extracorporeal targeting system configured to—
receive information about renal vasculature of the patient; andbased on the information about the renal vasculature of the patient, focus the ultrasound transducer on one or more focal points in a left renal plexus and/or a right renal plexus of the patient, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit ultrasound energy from the ultrasound energy source to target neural fibers of the left renal plexus and/or the right renal plexus of the patient to thermally induce modulation of the target neural fibers.