Closed-loop control of the cardiovascular system by means of an electronic baroreceptor analog

Abstract

In baropacing (e.g. therapeutical electrical carotid sinus nerve stimulation in open loop, as well as in closed loop by means of a baroreceptor analog) an adaptation of stimulation parameters to the individual patients sensitivity is useful, regarding optimal stimulation patterns. An alternative method to closed loop frequency modulated stimulation has been developed: Amplitude modulated stimulation was compared to other methods in animal experiments and was found to be equally effective to frequency modulation with regard to depressor response. With regard to applied stimulation energy, amplitude modulation was found to be energetically more economic. A test unit, comprising currently available stimulation methods has been developed in order to adapt method and stimulation parameters to the needs of a patient to be equipped with a stimulator. An alternative use of the analog is proposed in the control of the artificial heart.