Intraluminal electrode apparatus and method

• US 20040172088A1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knudson, Mark B., Wilson, Richard R., Tweden, Katherine S., Conrad, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0026 Anti-eating devices using electrical stimulation
• 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 1/321 Electromedical belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient associated with vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient at an innervation site are treated by positioning a neurostimulator carrier within a body lumen of the patient. An electrode disposed on the carrier is positioned at a mucosal layer of the lumen. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.

Claims

1. A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient where the disorders are characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of alimentary tract organs of said patient at an innervation site, said method comprising:

positioning a neurostimulator carrier within a body lumen of said patient and with an electrode disposed on said carrier and positioned at a mucosal layer of said lumen in a region of a vagal trunk;

applying an electrical signal to said stimulator to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat said disorder.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for said signal to create a neural conduction block to a vagus nerve of said patient at a blocking site proximal to said innervation site with said neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on said vagus nerve at said blocking site.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein application of said neural conduction block is variable by a controller to alter a characteristic of said block.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is pancreatitis.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said neural conduction block is regulated to reduce a pancreatic output of said patient.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is obesity.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said neural conduction block is regulated to heighten a sensation of satiety of said patient.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is constipation.

9. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

10. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is vagally mediated pain.

11. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is bulimia.

12. A method according to claim 2 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is ulcers.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said lumen is a trachea of said patient.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said lumen is an esophagus of said patient.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said lumen is an interior of a stomach of said patient.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for said signal to create a stimulation with an up-regulation of a vagus nerve of said patient at a stimulation site proximal to said innervation site.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is ileus.

18. An apparatus for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient where the disorders are characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of alimentary tract organs of said patient at an innervation site, said apparatus comprising:

a neurostimulator carrier sized to be passed through a selected body lumen of said patient and having an electrode disposed on said carrier to be positioned at a mucosal layer of said lumen;

a source of electrical signal electrically coupled to said electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat said disorder.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said source is selected to generate a blocking signal selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on said vagus nerve at said blocking site.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 comprising a controller for selectively controlling parameters of said blocking signal.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said controller is inductively coupled to said electrode to electrically control said electrode remote from an interior of said patient'"'"'s body.

22. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said carrier is sized to pass into a trachea of said patient.

23. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said carrier is sized to pass into an esophagus of said patient.

24. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said carrier is sized to pass into an interior of a stomach of said patient.