Regulation of eating habits

• US 20040059393A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Policker, Shai, Bitton, Ophir, Aviv, Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0004 Screening or testing of compounds for diagnosis of disorders, assessment of conditions, e.g. renal clearance, gastric emptying, testing for diabetes, allergy, rheuma, pancreas functions
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A method for treating a subject is provided, including receiving a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating, analyzing the sensor signal, and driving a current into tissue of the subject responsive to analyzing the signal. The current is typically driven into muscle tissue of the subject'"'"'s stomach (20). Preferably, receiving the sensor signal includes sensing electrical potential change generated responsive to contraction of a muscle such as a stomach muscle of the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signal is analyzed with respect to the timing of ingestion, and a level of compliance of the subject with a desired ingestion schedule is determined. As appropriate, a parameter of the current driven into the tissue may be configured such that the application of the current to the tissue induces in the subject a sensation of satiation, discomfort, nausea, or vertigo.

Claims

1. A method for treating a subject, comprising:

receiving a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating;

analyzing the sensor signal; and

driving a current into tissue of the subject responsive to analyzing the signal.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises measuring a change in a physical disposition of a muscle of the subject.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises measuring a change in a chemical constituent of the subject.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving a signal generated in response to a measurement made at an esophageal site of the subject.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving a signal generated in response to a measurement made in a vicinity of a stomach of the subject.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises measuring swallowing of the subject.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises driving a current into aural tissue of the subject.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises measuring an indication of a quantity of ingesta ingested by the subject, and wherein analyzing the sensor signal comprises analyzing the sensor signal responsive to the quantity.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises applying a fencing signal to the tissue.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises applying excitatory pulses to the tissue.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current causes gastric dysrhythmia of the subject.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current disrupts coupling of gastric mechanical activity and gastric electrical activity of the subject.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current induces a sensation of discomfort in the subject.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current induces a sensation of nausea in the subject.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein driving the current comprises configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current induces a sensation of vertigo in the subject.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises sensing an electrical potential change generated responsive to contraction of a muscle of the subject.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor signal comprises identifying a change in a measure of electrical impedance between two sites of the muscle.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein analyzing the sensor signal comprises identifying a change in a frequency component of the electrical potential.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein identifying the change comprises identifying a change in a frequency component which is in the range of approximately 2-7 cycles per minute.

20. A method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein driving the current comprises driving a current into tissue of a gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into tissue of a stomach of the subject.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a cardiac site of the stomach.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a fundic site of the stomach.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a site in a body of the stomach.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a distal site of the stomach.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into a pyloric site of the stomach.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into an antral site of the stomach.

28. A method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein analyzing the sensor signal comprises analyzing the sensor signal responsive to a time of ingestion.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein analyzing the sensor signal responsive to the time of ingestion comprises determining a level of compliance of the subject with an ingestion schedule.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein determining the level of compliance comprises counting a number of meals consumed by the subject during a designated time period.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein determining the level of compliance comprises counting a number of times that the subject swallows food.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein analyzing the sensor signal comprises:

receiving a modification to the ingestion schedule; and

analyzing the sensor signal responsive to the modified ingestion schedule.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein receiving the modification to the ingestion schedule comprises receiving the modification by wireless communication from a source outside of the body of the subject.

34. A method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein driving the current comprises applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the tissue.

35. A method according to claim 34, and comprising applying a stimulatory pulse at a site of application of the ETC signal.

36. A method according to claim 34, and comprising applying a stimulatory pulse to tissue at a site other than a site of application of the ETC signal.

37. A method according to claim 34, wherein applying the ETC signal comprises detecting natural gastric electrical activity and applying the ETC signal responsive thereto.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein detecting the natural gastric electrical activity comprises detecting the natural gastric electrical activity at a gastric site, and wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying the ETC signal at the same gastric site.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein detecting the natural gastric electrical activity comprises detecting at a first site, and wherein applying the ETC signal comprises applying the ETC signal at a second site, different from the first site.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein applying the ETC signal at the second site comprises timing the application of the ETC signal at the second site responsive to a distance between the first and second sites.

41. A method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein driving the current comprises:

driving the current into muscle tissue of the subject; and

configuring a parameter of the current such that application of the current to the muscle tissue causes an increase in an aspect of contraction of the muscle tissue.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into muscle tissue of a stomach of the subject, and wherein configuring the parameter comprises configuring the parameter such that application of the current to the stomach muscle tissue causes tissue contraction in a first portion of the stomach, and, in conjunction with the subject eating, stretching of a stretch receptor of the stomach in a second portion of the stomach.

43. A method according to claim 41, wherein driving the current comprises driving the current into muscle tissue of a stomach of the subject, and wherein configuring the parameter comprises configuring the parameter such that application of the current to the stomach muscle tissue enhances movement of chyme from a fundus to an antrum of the stomach.

44. A method according to claim 41, wherein configuring the parameter comprises configuring the parameter such that application of the current to the muscle tissue induces a sensation of satiation of the subject.

45. Apparatus for treating a subject, comprising:

at least one sensor, adapted to generate a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating;

a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be coupled to tissue of the subject; and

a control unit, adapted to receive the sensor signal, and to drive a current, responsive to analysis of the signal, through the set of electrodes into the tissue.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of the electrodes.

47. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is adapted to be placed at an esophageal site of the subject.

48. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is adapted to be placed at a site of a stomach of the subject.

49. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at an aural site of the subject.

50. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at an esophageal site of the subject.

51. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor comprises a mechanical sensor.

52. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to a quantity of matter ingested by the subject.

53. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to swallowing by the subject.

54. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to a number of meals consumed by the subject.

55. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the current into the tissue responsive to a time of the subject eating.

56. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current such that driving the current induces gastric dysrhythmia.

57. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current such that driving the current disrupts coupling of gastric mechanical activity and gastric electrical activity of the subject.

58. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current such that driving the current induces a sensation of discomfort in the subject.

59. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current such that driving the current induces a sensation of nausea in the subject.

60. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current such that driving the current induces a sensation of vertigo in the subject.

61. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the control unit comprises a memory, adapted to store an ingestion schedule, and wherein the control unit is adapted to withhold driving the current when the sensor signal is indicative of the subject eating in accordance with the ingestion schedule.

62. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45-61, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a site of a stomach of the subject.

63. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a cardiac site of the stomach 64. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a fundic site of the stomach.

65. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a site on a body of the stomach.

66. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a distal site of the stomach.

67. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at a pyloric site of the stomach.

68. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the electrode set is adapted to be placed at an antral site of the stomach.

69. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45-61, wherein the sensor comprises a sensing electrode.

70. Apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the sensor comprises two sensing electrodes, adapted to be coupled to respective sites of the tissue, and wherein the control unit is adapted to identify a change in a measure of electrical impedance between two sites of the tissue, and to drive the current responsive to identifying the change.

71. Apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the control unit is adapted to identify a change in a frequency component of an electrical potential in a vicinity of the sensing electrode, and to drive the current through the set of electrodes responsive to identifying the change in the frequency component of the electrical potential.

72. Apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the control unit is adapted to identify the change in a frequency component that is in the range of approximately 2-7 cycles per minute.

73. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45-61, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the tissue.

74. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a stimulatory pulse at a site of application of the ETC signal.

75. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a stimulatory pulse to tissue at a site other than a site of application of the ETC signal.

76. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to natural gastric electrical activity, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal responsive thereto.

77. Apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to natural gastric electrical activity at a site, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal at the same site.

78. Apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate the sensor signal responsive to natural gastric electrical activity at a first site, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal at a second site, different from the first site.

79. Apparatus according to claim 78, wherein the control unit is adapted to time application of the ETC signal responsive to a distance between the first and second sites.

80. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal in order to increase an aspect of contraction of the tissue.

81. Apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal in order to cause tissue contraction in a first portion of a stomach of the subject, and stretching of a stretch receptor of the stomach in a second portion of the stomach.

82. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal in order to increase a contraction strength of tissue in a vicinity of a stretch receptor of a stomach of the subject, so as to increase a sensation of satiation of the subject.

83. Apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the ETC signal to the tissue so as to enhance movement of chyme from a fundus to an antrum of a stomach of the subject.

84. Apparatus according to any one of claims 45-61, and comprising an operator unit, which is adapted to be placed external to the subject and to transmit a control signal to the control unit, wherein the control unit is adapted to analyze the sensor signal responsive to the control signal and to drive the current responsive to analyzing the sensor signal.

85. Apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the control unit is adapted to withhold driving the current responsive to the control signal.

86. Apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the control unit is adapted to increase a level of the current responsive to the control signal.

87. Apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the operator unit is adapted to transmit the control signal using wireless communication.