Patent ID: 8938297
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a patient using a small, leadless, implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) powered by a small disc primary battery having a specified nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and having an internal impedance of at least 5 ohms, the IEAD being configured, using electronic circuitry within the IEAD, to generate electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen and apply the EA stimulation pulses through at least two electrodes/arrays located on the housing of the IEAD to the patient's body tissue at a selected tissue location, said at least two electrodes/arrays comprising at least one central electrode/array of a first polarity, having a maximum width of no more 7 mm, centrally located on a first surface of the small IEAD housing, and at least one annular electrode/array of a second polarity spaced apart from the central electrode/array by at least 5 mm measured from the edge of the annular electrode/array closest to the central electrode/array to the center of the central electrode/array, said method comprising: (a) implanting the IEAD below the skin surface of the patient at one or more acupoints selected from the group of acupoints comprising PC6, or a point along an axis line connecting point PC6 with PC5 or PC7, with the first surface of the IEAD facing inwardly into the patient's body tissue at the selected acupoint; (b) enabling the IEAD to provide stimulation pulses in accordance with a stimulation regimen that provides a stimulation session at a rate of once every T4 minutes, with each stimulation session having a duration of T3 minutes, where the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05.