Smooth Muscle Controller

• US 20070185540A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Darvish, Nissim, Mika, Yuval, Shemer, Isaac, Fenster, Maier, Felzen, Bella
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,201 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 1/20 continuous direct currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to be placed adjacent a portion of smooth muscle or a gland; and

a controller for electrifying said electrode with a non-excitatory electric field which does not generate excitation of said smooth muscle or gland,

wherein said non-excitatory electric field affects the activity of said smooth muscle or gland in a manner that controls a level of a chemical in the blood stream.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sensor for measuring a level of said chemical in a blood stream.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said controller electrifies said electrode with said non-excitatory electric field, responsive to the measured level.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said chemical is glucose.

5. The apparatus according claim 1, wherein said chemical is a hormone.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said hormone is insulin.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chemical is glucose.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode is located in the GI tract.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one electrode is located on the stomach.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, said electrode is adjacent to the pancreas.

11. A method for controlling the level of a chemical in the blood of a patient, comprising:

placing at least one electrode adjacent a portion of smooth muscle or a gland of said patient; and

electrifying said electrode with a non-excitatory electric field which does not generate excitation of said smooth muscle or gland,

wherein said non-excitatory electric field affects the activity of said smooth muscle or gland in thereby controlling the level of said chemical in the patient'"'"'s blood stream.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising measuring a level of said chemical in a blood stream.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein electrifying said electrode with said non-excitatory electric field, responsive to the measured level.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said chemical is glucose.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said chemical is a hormone.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said hormone is insulin.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein said chemical is glucose.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least one electrode is located in the GI tract.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said at least one electrode is located on the stomach.

20. The method according to claims 11, said electrode is adjacent to the pancreas.