SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTROLLER

• US 20080051849A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), 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 8,805,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/39
• 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. A method of controlling labor, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus adapted to transmit to at least a portion of a uterus a signal comprising at least an electrical field which does not generate a propagating action potential in uterine muscle, which electrical field modifies the reaction of said smooth muscle to an activation signal;

controlling the apparatus so that the signal produces a desired effect.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises delaying an onset of labor.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises advancing an onset of labor.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises increasing a length of labor.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises decreasing a length of labor.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises stopping labor from proceeding.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the stopping occurs after labor has started.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the stopping occurs in a pre-labor stage.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the stopping is applied to a case of pre-term onset of labor.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises reducing a contractility of the uterine muscle.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises increasing a contractility of the uterine muscle.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired effect comprises desensitizing the uterine muscle.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the desensitization contributes to a reduction in synchronized contractions.

14. A method of treating menstrual cramps, the method comprising:

determining a time at which a cramp is expected to occur; and

applying a desensitizing electrical field to uterine muscle to dampen the cramp.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the applying occurs prior to the time at which the cramp is expected to occur.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the applying occurs during the time at which the cramp is expected to occur.

17. A method of reducing undesirable electrical activity in the uterus, the method comprising:

detecting an area of uterine tissue producing undesirable electrical activity;

blocking propagation of the undesirable electrical activity.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the blocking comprises a mechanism selected from the group consisting of fencing and desensitizing.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the detecting comprises a mechanism selected from the group consisting of visual inspection and electrical mapping.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the area of uterine tissue producing undesirable electrical activity comprises at least one tissue type selected from the group consisting of fibroid tissue, myomal tissue, stretched tissue and inflamed tissue.