SPLANCHNIC NERVE STIMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
- electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal;
wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a stimulation intensity, an on time, and an off time; and
wherein the stimulation pattern is configured such that the ratio of the on time to the off time is about 0.75 or less.
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Abstract
A method for the treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an electrode. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure.
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Citations
84 Claims
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1. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a stimulation intensity, an on time, and an off time; and wherein the stimulation pattern is configured such that the ratio of the on time to the off time is about 0.75 or less. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern for a first time period; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a stimulation intensity and is configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal during the first time period; and reducing or ceasing the electrical activation of the splanchnic nerve for a second time period, such that the mammal loses net weight during the second time period. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern for a first time period within a period of about 24 hours, said stimulation pattern comprising a stimulation intensity and being configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; and ceasing the electrical activation of the a splanchnic nerve for a second time period within the period of about 24 hours. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a stimulation intensity and a frequency; and wherein the frequency is about 15 Hz or greater, to minimize skeletal muscle twitching. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for producing weight loss, the method comprising:
electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern comprising a stimulation intensity and a frequency; and
the stimulation pattern is configured to decrease absorption of food from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in increased stool output in the mammal.- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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placing an electrode in proximity to a splanchnic nerve in a mammal above the diaphragm; and electrically activating the splanchnic nerve. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60)
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58. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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placing an electrode into a blood vessel of a mammal, in proximity to a splanchnic nerve of the mammal; and electrically activating the splanchnic nerve via the electrode.
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61. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises an on time; and wherein the on time is adjusted based on a blood pressure of the mammal.
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62. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises an on time; and wherein the on time is adjusted based on a plasma PYY concentration in the mammal.
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63. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal; wherein the stimulation pattern comprises an on time; and wherein the on time is adjusted based on a plasma ghrelin concentration in the mammal.
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64. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern, wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a current amplitude; wherein the current amplitude is adjusted based on skeletal muscle twitching in the mammal.
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65. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern, wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a current amplitude and a pulse width; wherein the current amplitude is increased to a first level at which skeletal muscle twitching begins to occur in the mammal; keeping the current amplitude at or near the first level until the skeletal muscle twitching decreases or ceases. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern, wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a current amplitude and a pulse width; wherein the current amplitude is increased to a first level at which skeletal muscle twitching begins to occur in the mammal; increasing the pulse width while keeping the current amplitude at about the first level or below the first level.
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71. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
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electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern, wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a current amplitude; wherein the current amplitude is increased to a first level at which skeletal muscle twitching begins to occur in the mammal; and sensing the muscle twitching with a sensor in electrical communication with the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. A device for treating a medical condition, the device comprising:
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an electrode configured to stimulate electrically a splanchnic nerve in a mammal; a generator configured to deliver an electrical signal to the electrode; and a sensor in electrical communication with the generator, the sensor configured to sense muscle twitching; wherein the device is programmed to stimulate electrically the splanchnic nerve according to a stimulation pattern, wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a current amplitude and a pulse width; wherein the device is further programmed to increase the current amplitude to a first level at which skeletal muscle twitching begins to occur, and temporarily hold the current amplitude at or near the first level until the skeletal muscle twitching decreases or ceases. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern that is configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal while avoiding a substantial rise in a blood pressure of the mammal.
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84. A method for treating a medical condition, the method comprising:
electrically activating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal according to a stimulation pattern that is configured to result in net weight loss in the mammal while avoiding prolonged skeletal muscle twitching in the mammal.
Specification