Patent ID: 7765001

Claim:
A system for the delivery of electrical current to a patient's heart to improve and/or prevent deterioration of heart function, comprising: one or more acoustic receiver-stimulators having an electrode assembly wherein at least one of the electrodes is adapted to be implanted in direct contact with cardiac tissue; and an acoustic controller-transmitter, wherein the acoustic controller-transmitter is adapted to transmit acoustic energy into a patient's body and which provides both energy and signal information to the receiver-stimulator and the receiver-stimulator further comprises an acoustic receiver which receives the acoustic energy and generates alternating current, means for converting the alternating current to a direct current or waveform to provide a non-excitatory electrical current to the electrodes adapted to deliver the direct current or waveform to the cardiac tissue, wherein the implantable receiver-stimulator is adapted to be placed and secured at a location in the heart sufficient to deliver electrical energy to the cardiac tissue and wherein the controller-transmitter is adapted to transmit acoustic energy such that the receiver-stimulator delivers non-excitatory electrical current which prolongs action potential duration.