Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue using electrical energy
First Claim
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1. A medical device, comprising:
- a stimulation device including an electrode configured to be transcutaneously applied to a patient and to deliver an electrical signal to a depot of brown adipose tissue of the patient,a signal generator configured to generate the electrical signal,a sensor configured to sense occurrence of a trigger event after the electrode has been applied to the patient, anda controller,wherein when the sensor senses the trigger event and signals the sensed trigger event to the controller, the controller is configured to cause the beginning of continuous delivery, via the electrode, of the electrical signal to the patient having the electrode applied thereto for a period of time such that the depot of brown adipose tissue is activated and energy expenditure thereof increases,wherein the period of time is at least one day, andwherein the trigger event includes at least one of a change in the patient'"'"'s weight, a change in the patient'"'"'s tissue impedance, and the patient sleeping.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by electrically stimulating nerves that activate the BAT and/or electrically stimulating brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss through energy expenditure.
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10 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a stimulation device including an electrode configured to be transcutaneously applied to a patient and to deliver an electrical signal to a depot of brown adipose tissue of the patient, a signal generator configured to generate the electrical signal, a sensor configured to sense occurrence of a trigger event after the electrode has been applied to the patient, and a controller, wherein when the sensor senses the trigger event and signals the sensed trigger event to the controller, the controller is configured to cause the beginning of continuous delivery, via the electrode, of the electrical signal to the patient having the electrode applied thereto for a period of time such that the depot of brown adipose tissue is activated and energy expenditure thereof increases, wherein the period of time is at least one day, and wherein the trigger event includes at least one of a change in the patient'"'"'s weight, a change in the patient'"'"'s tissue impedance, and the patient sleeping. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification