Blood glucose level control

• US 20030055464A1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Glasberg, Offer, Darvish, Nissim, Felsen, Bella, Harel, Tami
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A pancreatic controller, comprising:

at least one electrode adapted for electrifying at least a portion of a pancreas; and

a controller programmed to electrify said electrode so as to positively control at least the effect of at least two members of a group consisting of blood glucose level, blood insulin level and blood level of another pancreatic hormone. In one example, the controller controls insulin, glucagon and/or glucose blood levels.

Claims

1. A pancreatic controller, comprising:

at least one electrode adapted for electrifying at least a portion of a pancreas; and

a controller programmed to electrify said electrode so as to positively control at least the effect of at least two members of a group consisting of blood glucose level, blood insulin level and blood level of another pancreatic hormone.

2. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises modifying said at least two members simultaneously.

3. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises selectively modifying only one of said at least two members, while at least reducing a causative interaction between said two members.

4. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises maintaining at least one of said members within a desired physiologic range.

5. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said at least two members comprise glucose level and insulin level.

6. A controller according to claim 5, wherein controlling comprises modulating an effect of said insulin not related to carbohydrate metabolism.

7. A controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two members comprise glucagon.

8. A controller according to claim 7, wherein controlling comprises increasing glucagon secretion, to contract an effect of insulin.

9. A controller according to claim 7, wherein controlling comprises increasing glucagon secretion, to achieve higher blood glucose levels.

10. A controller according to claim 7, wherein controlling comprises reducing the secretion of glucagon, when insulin secretion is increased.

11. A controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two members comprise Somatostatin.

12. A controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said members comprises glucose level.

13. A controller according to claim 12, wherein said controller selects between alternative control therapies, a therapy that has a least disrupting effect on said glucose levels.

14. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said controller uses solely electrical fields to control said members.

15. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said controller takes molecules provided in the body, into account, for said control.

16. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules are provided without a control of said controller.

17. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules are provided under a control of said controller.

18. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules suppress the secretion of at least one pancreatic hormone.

19. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules suppress the effect of at least one pancreatic hormone.

20. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules enhance the secretion of at least one pancreatic hormone.

21. A controller according to claim 15, wherein said molecules enhance the effect of at least one pancreatic hormone.

22. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling a member hormone comprises suppressing a secretion of an antagonistic hormone.

23. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling a member hormone comprises enhancing a secretion of an antagonistic hormone.

24. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a learning memory module for storing therein feedback interaction of said pancreas.

25. A controller according to claim 24, wherein said feedback interactions comprises interactions between hormone levels.

26. A controller according to claim 24, wherein said feedback interactions comprises interactions between hormone levels.

27. A controller according to claim 24, wherein said feedback interactions are dependent on blood glucose levels.

28. A controller according to claim 24, wherein said feedback interactions are determined by said controller, by tracking a behavior of said pancreas.

29. A controller according to claim 28, wherein said controller actively modifies at least one of a glucose level and a pancreatic hormone level, to collect feedback interaction information.

30. A controller according to claim 1, comprising a sensor for sensing a level of said controlled member.

31. A controller according to claim 1, comprising an estimator for estimating a level of said controlled member.

32. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said electrode applies a non-excitatory pulse to effect said control.

33. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said electrode applies an excitatory pulse to effect said control.

34. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said electrode modifies blood flow associated with said pancreas to effect said control.

35. A controller according to claim 34, wherein said modified blood flow comprises blood flow to hormone generating cells of said pancreas.

36. A controller according to claim 34, wherein said modified blood flow comprises blood flow from said pancreas.

37. A controller according to claim 34, wherein said modified blood flow comprises blood flow from hormone generating cells of said pancreas.

38. A controller according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode comprises at least two electrodes that selectively electrify different parts of said pancreas, to achieve a desired control of said at least two members.

39. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises controlling secretion.

40. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises controlling production.

41. A controller according to claim 1, wherein controlling comprises controlling physiological activity.

42. A method of mapping pancreatic behavior of a pancreas, comprising:

determining a behavior of a pancreas at a first set of conditions;

determining a behavior of a pancreas at a second set of conditions; and

analyzing the behavior of the pancreas and the sets of conditions, to determine a behavior pattern of the pancreas.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein said behavior pattern comprises an interrelationship between two hormones of said pancreas.

44. A method according to claim 42 wherein said sets of conditions are naturally occurring.

45. A method according to claim 42 wherein said sets of conditions are at least partially artificially induced.

46. A method according to claim 42, comprising controlling said pancreas responsive to said determined behavior.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein controlling comprises controlling using pharmaceuticals.

48. A method according to claim 46, wherein controlling comprises controlling using electrical fields.

49. A method of controlling burst activity of a pancreas, comprising:

applying an electrical field to at least part of a pancreas such that burst activity is initiated a few seconds after said application; and

repeating said application a plurality of times such that substantially all burst activity of said part of a pancreas during a time period spanning said applications is synchronized to said application and repeated application.

50. A method according to claim 49, comprising varying a repetition rate of said application to control a burst rat of said at least part of a pancreas.

51. A method of controlling activity of a pancreas, comprising:

providing a source of electrical fields; and

electrifying said source to apply an electric field to at least part of a pancreas, such that said applied field increases an amplitude of at least one burst following said application.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein said applied field does not induce a new burst.

53. A method according to claim 51, wherein said applied field does not substantially change a burst rate of said pancreas.

54. A method according to claim 51, wherein said increased amplitude burst provides an increased level of insulin relative to a normal amplitude burst.

55. A method according to claim 51, comprising synchronizing said electrification to a natural burst sequence of said at least part of a pancreas.