Dual mode electrical stimulation to treat obesity

• US 20060247718A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Starkebaum, Warren L.
• Application Number:
  US11/117,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247718A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

The disclosure describes techniques for electrical stimulation to regulate the caloric intake of a patient and thereby alleviate obesity. A first set of stimulation pulses is delivered to the stomach to suppress appetite and limit food intake, and a second set of stimulation pulses is delivered to the small intestine to accelerate food transit and reduce caloric absorption. In this manner, the electrical stimulation limits food intake and caloric absorption, providing a two-pronged therapy for obesity. In a sense, the electrical stimulation electrically mimics the physiological effects of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure without the need for surgery.

Claims

1. A method for electrical stimulation of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the method comprising:

generating a first set of electrical stimulation pulses;

generating a second set of electrical stimulation pulses;

applying the first set of pulses to a stomach of the patient to limit food intake; and

applying the second set of pulses to a small intestine of the patient to increase motility.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first and second sets of electrical pulses substantially continuously.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the first set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 1 to 100 Hz.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the first set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 5 to 20 Hz.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 3 to 15 bursts per minute.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the bursts has a burst length of approximately ten to fifty percent of a period between successive bursts.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the second set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 5 to 40 Hz.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the second set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 8 to 50 bursts per minute.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the bursts has a burst length of approximately ten to fifty percent of a period between successive bursts.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 3 to 15 bursts per minute, and applying the second set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 8 to 50 bursts per minute.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first set of pulses in bursts, and applying the second set of pulses substantially continuously.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first set of pulses in first bursts, and applying the second set of pulses in second bursts, wherein each of the second bursts follows one of the first bursts by a predetermined time delay.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the first set of pulses via one or more implanted electrodes coupled to the stomach, and applying the second set of pulses via one or more implanted electrodes coupled to the small intestine.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of pulses have pulse parameters selected to induce a sensation of fullness of nausea and thereby limit food intake.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of pulses have pulse parameters selected to accelerate movement of food through the small intestine.

16. A device for electrical stimulation of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the device comprising:

a first lead carrying a first electrode;

a second lead carrying a second electrode; and

a pulse generator that delivers a first set of electrical stimulation pulses via the first lead and a second set of electrical stimulation pulses via the second lead,

wherein the first set of pulses are formulated for delivery to a stomach of the patient to limit food intake, and

wherein the second set of pulses are formulated for delivery to a small intestine of the patient to increase motility.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first and second sets of electrical pulses substantially continuously.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 1 to 100 Hz.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 5 to 20 Hz.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 3 to 15 bursts per minute.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein each of the bursts has a burst length of approximately ten to fifty percent of a period between successive bursts.

22. The device of claim 16 wherein the pulse generator delivers the second set of pulses at a pulse rate of approximately 5 to 40 Hz.

23. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the second set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 8 to 50 bursts per minute.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein each of the bursts has a burst length of approximately ten to fifty percent of a period between successive bursts.

25. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 3 to 15 bursts per minute, and delivers the second set of pulses in bursts at a burst rate of approximately 8 to 50 bursts per minute.

26. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses in bursts, and delivers the second set of pulses substantially continuously.

27. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator delivers the first set of pulses in first bursts, and delivers the second set of pulses in second bursts, wherein each of the second bursts follows one of the first bursts by a predetermined time delay.

28. The device of claim 16, wherein the pulse generator includes a first pulse generator to deliver the first set of pulses and a second pulse generator to deliver the second set of pulses.

29. The device of claim 16, wherein the first set of pulses have pulse parameters selected to induce a sensation of fullness of nausea and thereby limit food intake.

30. The device of claim 16, wherein the second set of pulses have pulse parameters selected to accelerate movement of food through the small intestine.

31. A device for electrical stimulation of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the device comprising:

means for generating a first set of electrical stimulation pulses;

means for generating a second set of electrical stimulation pulses;

means for applying the first set of pulses to a stomach of the patient to limit food intake; and

means for applying the second set of pulses to a small intestine of the patient to increase motility.