Method of enhancing myogenesis by electrical stimulation

Patent Number: 7,483,749

Stem cells act as part of the endogenous repair processes of the body.  For example, after heart attacks specific populations of stem cells leave the bone marrow and are attracted to the heart, presumably to regenerate the injured myocardium.  Interesting new stem cell populations such as the VSEL stem cell population have been demonstrated to assist in this regenerative process.  Another regenerative mechanism in the heart is the existence of endogenous cardiac specific stem cells that express C-kit and seem to also be involved in post-infarct regeneration. 

Given that the heart has its own stem cells, one would believe that if the failing heart may be kept pumping by artificial means, this may give the failing heart an opportunity to recover or partially recover.  For example, there is evidence of patients with heart failure going on ventricular assist devices while they are waiting for transplants, and then spontaneously recovering.

The current patent seems to use a similar approach.  It covers the use of electrically stimulating the heart in order to increase stem cell activity, and also covers the use of electrical stimulation together with administration of myogenic cells.

This patent reminds us of Medtronic's patent #7,349,740 which seems to cover electrical stimulation of the heart together with administration of "biological materials"...its a good read.

View this patent on the USPTO website.