Patent ID: 7613511

Claim:
A method for treating cardiac ischemia, comprising: configuring an implantable device to monitor for an indication that an episode of cardiac ischemia is occurring, wherein such indication of cardiac ischemia includes changes in cardiac electrical activity; configuring the implantable device with a magnetically or tactilely actuated switch; configuring the implantable device to deliver electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve upon obtaining an indication of cardiac ischemia and upon actuation of the magnetically or tactilely actuated switch; configuring the implantable device to inhibit delivery of electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve unless both an indication of cardiac ischemia is obtained and the magnetically or tactilely actuated switch is actuated; configuring the implantable device to cease delivery of the electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve after a predetermined length of time; and, configuring the implantable device to cease delivery of the electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve upon actuation of the magnetically or tactilely actuated switch.