SELECTIVE NERVE FIBER STIMULATION FOR TREATING HEART CONDITIONS

摘要

Apparatus for treating a subject (31) includes an electrode device (40), adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve (36) of the subject (31), and a heart rate sensor (24), configured to detect a heart rate of the subject (31), and to generate a heart rate signal responsive thereto. The apparatus also includes a control unit (20), adapted to receive the heart rate signal, and, responsive to determining that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value, which threshold value is greater than a normal heart rate, drive the electrode device (40) to apply a current to the vagus nerve (36), and configure the current so as to reduce the heart rate of the subject (31).