SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTROLLER

• US 20080058891A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• 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 7,765,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/44
• 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 blood pressure, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one large blood vessel;

measuring a blood pressure; and

applying the local electric field to the at least one large blood vessel responsive to the measured blood pressure via the at least one electrode.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local electric field comprises an inhibitory electric field configured to relax the at least one large blood vessel.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the local electric field comprises an excitatory electric field configured to relax the at least one large blood vessel.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one large blood vessel includes at least one vessel selected from the group consisting of an abdominal vein and an aorta.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring is conducted peripherally.

6. Apparatus for blood pressure control, the apparatus comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one large blood vessel;

circuitry configured to transmit an electric signal which produces the local electric field to the at least one electrode; and

an activation module adapted to operate the circuitry.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the activation module is operable by a subject using the apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a fail-safe cutoff configured to prevent the subject from adjusting blood pressure beyond defined limits

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the activation module comprises at least one blood pressure sensor configured to provide blood pressure data and an analytic component adapted to analyze the blood pressure data and operate the circuitry in accord with the analysis.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, configured for automated closed loop blood pressure control.

11. A method of controlling blood pressure, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one large blood vessel;

applying the local electric field to the at least one large blood vessel responsive to a subjective evaluation of blood pressure by a subject in whom the electrodes have been provided.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the local electric field comprises an inhibitory electric field configured to relax the at least one large blood vessel.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the local electric field comprises an excitatory electric field configured to relax the at least one large blood vessel.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one large blood vessel includes at least one vessel selected from the group consisting of an abdominal vein and an aorta.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the subjective evaluation includes at least one feeling selected from the group consisting of dizziness, headache, lightheadedness and nausea.