Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue using electrical energy
First Claim
1. A medical apparatus, comprising:
- at least one electrode configured to directly contact a tissue of a patient proximate to a depot of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and to deliver an electrical signal to the patient so as to activate a first nerve type in the BAT without activating a second, different nerve type in the BAT, the first nerve type having a smaller diameter than the second nerve type; and
at least one signal generator in electronic communication with the at least one electrode and configured to generate the electrical signal delivered by the at least one electrode.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) using electrical energy. In general, the methods and devices can facilitate activation of BAT to increase thermogenesis. The BAT can be activated by applying an electrical signal thereto that can be configured to target sympathetic nerves that can directly innervate the BAT. The electrical signal can be configured to target the sympathetic nerves using fiber diameter selectivity. In other words, the electrical signal can be configured to activate nerve fibers having a first diameter without activating nerve fibers having diameters different than the first diameter. Sympathetic nerves include postganglionic unmyelinated, small diameter fibers, while parasympathetic nerves that can directly innervate BAT include preganglionic myelinated, larger diameter fibers. The electrical signal can be configured to target and activate the postganglionic unmyelinated, small diameter fibers without activating the preganglionic myelinated, larger diameter fibers.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A medical apparatus, comprising:
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at least one electrode configured to directly contact a tissue of a patient proximate to a depot of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and to deliver an electrical signal to the patient so as to activate a first nerve type in the BAT without activating a second, different nerve type in the BAT, the first nerve type having a smaller diameter than the second nerve type; and at least one signal generator in electronic communication with the at least one electrode and configured to generate the electrical signal delivered by the at least one electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification