Patent ID: 7460914

Claim:
A method for stimulating angiogenesis, comprising: positioning a first electrode on an implantable first lead at a first intravascular location; connecting the first lead to an implantable first electrical output channel adapted to deliver a sub-threshold voltage such that the first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrical output channel, the sub-threshold voltage below a threshold voltage required to cause a local depolarization of cardiac myocyte cell membranes; activating the first electrical output channel to deliver the sub-threshold voltage through the first lead to the first electrode; and delivering a treatment agent adapted to stimulate therapeutic angiogenesis at the first intravascular location via an implantable cannula including a lumen configured to deliver a liquid or solid treatment agent to a distal end of the first lead, wherein the first lead includes at least a portion disposed within the lumen and has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the cannula to form an annular space suitable for flow of the liquid or solid treatment agent; wherein the first lead is adapted to deliver the sub-threshold voltage and one or more of pacing or defibrillation voltages to the first electrode.