|
|
|
Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6690970
| Title: | Biological pacemaker and implantation catheter | | Inventors: | Taheri, Syde A.; Buffalo, NY, USA
Leonhardt, Howard J.; Weston, FL, USA | | Summary: | Described herein is a biological pacemaker for restoring rhythmic functionality to the heart, via implantation cells which include sino-atrial or atrio-ventricular node cells that are electrically stimulated to de-differentiate into embryonic form. The invention relates to a bridge of implantation cells, such as nerve cells, stem cells or ganglion cells, that are introduced into an area of electrical malfunction, such as an impaired SA node or a blocked AV node, wherein the implantation cells grow to form a conductive cell bridge around the malfunctioning tissue such that a new pathway is provided for the electrical signals that are responsible for triggering heart beat contractions. The implantation catheter is described as having a central nerve cell injection needle connected to a syringe via a cell injection tube, and two elongated lateral stabilizing needles. Further described are the means by which the catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in a patient's leg, arm, or shoulder and advanced until the catheter's distal end is located above the malfunctioning tissue, at which point the distal end of the catheter is bent so that the three needles are facing the malfunctioning tissue. The procedure is then described as advancing the two stabilizing needles into the heart wall to stabilize the catheter, at which point the nerve cell injection needle is advanced for injection of the implantation cells. Methods are disclosed by which the implantation cells such as SA or AV node cells are electrically stimulated to de-differentiate into embryonic form. Advantages of this invention include its biological nature in restoring normal cardiac rhythmic function without a mechanical pacemaker. | | Abstract: | A biological pacemaker and implantation catheter for restoring normal or near normal heartbeat function without a mechanical pacemaker. The biological pacemaker is provided by a bridge of implantation cells, such as nerve cells, stem cells or ganglion cells, that are introduced into an area of electrical malfunction, such as an impaired SA node or a blocked AV node. The implantation cells grow to form a conductive cell bridge around the malfunction area so that a new pathway is provided for the electrical signals responsible for triggering heart beat contractions. The implantation catheter has a central nerve cell injection needle connected to a syringe or the like via a cell injection tube, and two elongated lateral stabilizing needles. The catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in a patient's leg, arm, shoulder or the like, and advanced until the catheter's distal end is located above the malfunction area. The distal end of the catheter is bent so that the three needles are facing the malfunction area. The two stabilizing needles are advanced into the heart wall to stabilize the catheter and the nerve cell injection needle is advanced for injection of the implantation cells. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US6690970 | | Application Number: | US2000000684464 | | Date Filed: | 06/10/2000 | | Date Published: | 10/02/2004 | | Assignee: | None |
|
|
