NEURAL STIMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

• US 20110238128A1
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John D. Dobak III
• Original Assignee: John D. Dobak III
• Inventors: Dobak, John D. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3615 Intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for treating metabolic syndrome and/or Type 2 diabetes, and/or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

Claims

1. A method of lowering blood pressure in a subject comprising:

establishing a baseline blood pressure;

electrically stimulating a sympathetic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern comprising more than one dose comprising at least one soft transition, at least one dose ramp or combinations thereof, wherein the electrical stimulation with the at least one stimulation pattern occurs for at least one week;

establishing a post stimulation blood pressure, wherein the post stimulation blood pressure is lower than the baseline blood pressure.

2. A method of treating a subject having hypertension comprising:

selecting a subject having hypertension; and

electrically stimulating a sympathetic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern comprising more than one dose comprising at least one soft transition, at least one dose ramp or combinations thereof, wherein the electrical stimulation with the at least one stimulation pattern occurs for at least one week, wherein the hypertensive state of the patient is improved.

3. A method of improving the cardiovascular health of a subject comprising:

selecting a subject that is exercise compromised;

measuring an at least one cardiovascular metric;

electrically stimulating a sympathetic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern comprising more than one dose comprising at least one soft transition, at least one dose ramp or combinations thereof, wherein the electrical stimulation with the at least one stimulation pattern occurs for at least one week; and

measuring the at least one cardiovascular metric, wherein the cardiovascular metric is improved.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one stimulation pattern comprises at least one frequency, at least one pulse width and at least one current.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one frequency is less than 20 Hz.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the current is less than 1 mA.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the pulse width is less than 600 microseconds.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the soft transition comprising a leading soft transition and an ending soft transition.

9. The method of claim 13 wherein the leading soft transition is less than 10 seconds and the ending soft transition is less than 10 seconds.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the soft transition rate is from about 0.1 mA/second to about 1 mA/second.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the more than one doses occur within 24 hours.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the dose ramping comprises an initial signal intensity and a MAX signal intensity and the dose ramping is selected from;

ramping from the initial signal intensity to the MAX signal intensity in less than 1 hours, ramping from the MAX signal intensity to the initial signal intensity in less than 1 hours, or combinations thereof

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the dose ramping comprises an initial signal intensity and a MAX signal intensity and the dose ramping is selected from;

ramping from the initial signal intensity to the MAX signal intensity in less than 30 minutes, ramping from the MAX signal intensity to the initial signal intensity in less than 30 minutes, or combinations thereof

14. The method of claim 3, wherein there is no significant difference between the weight of the subject before electrical stimulation and after electrical stimulation.

15. The method according to claim 3, further comprising titrating the stimulation pattern to a physiological marker.

16. The method according to claim 3, wherein the subject displays a disorder selected from obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.