Elliptical element for blood pressure reduction

摘要

Apparatus is provided for treating hypertension of a subject. The apparatus includes an implantable element which has a non-circular shape and which is configured to reduce the hypertension by facilitating an assumption of a non-circular shape by a blood vessel in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, during diastole of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

主权项

1. A method of reducing hypertension of a subject, comprising:
coupling a flexible element having a non-circular cross-section to a carotid artery of the subject in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, by implanting the flexible element within the carotid artery, the flexible element being configured to flex passively in coordination with the cardiac cycle; and facilitating, with the flexible element, an assumption of a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the carotid artery in the vicinity that is less circular than a shape of the carotid artery in the vicinity when the element is not coupled to the carotid artery, wherein passive flexure of the flexible element in coordination with the cardiac cycle reduces hypertension of the subject.