Hepatic device for treatment or glucose detection

• US 20070060971A1
• Filed: 06/20/2004
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Harel, Tami, Glasberg, Ofer
• Application Number:
  US10/561,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060971A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying an electrical current to a hepatic portal vein (22) of the subject, and configuring the current so as to increase glucose uptake by tissue of the subject. A method is also provided, including sensing an electrical signal generated by a portoarterial glucose sensor of a subject, analyzing the signal, and responsive to the analyzing, detecting eating by the subject.

Claims

1-75. -75. (canceled)

76. A method for stimulating a vein of a subject, comprising:

placing, around an external surface of the vein, a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees; and

driving an electrical current through the wire, so as to stimulate the vein.

77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein placing the wire comprises placing the wire around the external surface of the portal vein.

78. The method according to claim 76, wherein the electrode includes a removable curved needle, and wherein placing the wire comprises:

using the needle to draw the electrode around the external surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein; and

removing the needle after completion of the drawing.

79. A method for sensing electrical activity of a vein of a subject, comprising:

placing, around an external surface of the vein, a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees; and

sensing the electrical activity of the vein, using the wire.

80. The method according to claim 79, wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein placing the wire comprises placing the wire around the external surface of the portal vein.

81. The method according to claim 79, wherein the electrode includes a removable curved needle, and wherein placing the wire comprises:

using the needle to draw the electrode around the external surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein; and

removing the needle after completion of the drawing.

82-163. -163. (canceled)

164. Apparatus comprising an electrode, which comprises a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees, the electrode adapted to be applied around an external surface of a vein.

165. The apparatus according to claim 164, wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein the electrode is adapted to be applied around the external surface of the portal vein.

166. The apparatus according to claim 164, wherein the electrode comprises an electrically insulating coating that coats a portion of a circumference of the wire that does not come in contact with the external surface of the vein.

167. The apparatus according to claim 164, wherein the electrode comprises a removable curved needle, adapted to:

draw the electrode around the surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein, and

be removed after completion of the drawing.

168. Apparatus comprising:

a support structure; and

two or more electrodes coupled to the support structure, each of the electrodes comprising a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees, the electrodes adapted to be applied around an external surface of a vein.

169. The apparatus according to claim 168, wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein the electrodes are adapted to be applied around the external surface of the portal vein.

170. The apparatus according to claim 168, wherein each of the electrodes comprises an electrically insulating coating that coats a portion of a circumference of the wire that does not come in contact with the external surface of the vein.

171. The apparatus according to claim 168, wherein each of the electrodes comprises a removable curved needle, adapted to:

draw the electrode around the surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein, and

be removed after completion of the drawing.

172. The apparatus according to any one of claims 168-171, wherein the support structure comprises an elongated rod.

173. The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein the rod has a length of between about 2 and about 3 cm.

174. The apparatus according to claim 172, wherein the rod has a length of between about 1 and about 3 mm.

175-177. -177. (canceled)