Acute and chronic electrical signal therapy for obesity
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
- a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the set of one or more electrodes includes a first set of one or more electrodes, wherein the apparatus comprises a second set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a pyloric sphincter of the stomach, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the second electrode set to apply an ETC signal configured such that application thereof increases a contraction force of the sphincter and extends a period of time in which partially-digested food remains in the stomach.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.
-
Citations
203 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the set of one or more electrodes includes a first set of one or more electrodes, wherein the apparatus comprises a second set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a pyloric sphincter of the stomach, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the second electrode set to apply an ETC signal configured such that application thereof increases a contraction force of the sphincter and extends a period of time in which partially-digested food remains in the stomach.
-
-
2. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the ETC signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of the portion of the stomach by at least 20%, for a substantially continuous period greater than about one minute.
-
-
3. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the portion of the stomach includes a first portion of the stomach, and wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the ETC signal such that ingestion of food by the patient in conjunction with application of the ETC signal to the first portion induces stretching of a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach that induces a sensation of satiety.
-
-
4. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the signal over a sufficient time period so as to engender a long-term structural change of the stomach.
-
-
5. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the ETC signal such that the decreased cross-sectional area impedes passage of ingesta through the stomach.
-
-
6. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient;
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach; and
at least one stimulating electrode, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the stimulating electrode to apply an excitatory signal to muscle tissue of the stomach in conjunction with driving the electrode set to apply the ETC signal. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive a patient signal, input by the patient, and to drive the electrode set responsive to the patient signal, and wherein the control unit is adapted to withhold driving the electrode set responsive to the patient signal.
-
-
9. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set in accordance with a schedule programmed into the control unit, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set during at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period, and to withhold driving the electrode set during another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
10. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set in accordance with a schedule programmed into the control unit, and wherein the control unit is adapted to withhold driving the electrode set during time periods designated as times when the patient generally does not eat.
-
-
11. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive at least one of the electrodes to apply an excitatory pulse in conjunction with the ETC signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set while the patient is eating. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the ETC signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of a region of the stomach, and maintains the decreased cross-sectional area in the region for a duration greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
26. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the ETC signal such that application thereof increases intra-gastric pressure, thereby inducing a sensation of satiety.
-
-
27. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a pyloric sphincter of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof increases a contraction force of the sphincter and extends a period of time in which partially-digested food remains in the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
44. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the portion of the stomach includes a first portion of the stomach, and wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal such that ingestion of food by the patient in conjunction with application of the signal induces stretching of a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach that induces a sensation of satiety.
-
-
45. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply the signal over a sufficient time period so as to engender a long-term structural change of the stomach.
-
-
46. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal such that the decreased cross-sectional area impedes passage of ingesta through the stomach.
-
-
47. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of a region of the body of the stomach, and maintains the decreased cross-sectional area in the region for a duration greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
48. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the signal such that application thereof increases intra-gastric pressure, thereby inducing a sensation of satiety.
-
-
49. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient;
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds; and
a second set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a lower-esophageal sphincter of the patient, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the second electrode set to apply a sphincter-control signal to the sphincter, configured such that application thereof increases a contraction force generated by the sphincter.
-
-
50. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive a patient signal, input by the patient, and to drive the electrode set responsive to the patient signal. - View Dependent Claims (51)
-
-
52. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set in accordance with a schedule programmed into the control unit, and wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set during at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period, and to withhold driving the electrode set during another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
53. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set in accordance with a schedule programmed into the control unit, and wherein the control unit is adapted to withhold driving the electrode set during time periods designated as times when the patient generally does not eat.
-
-
54. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set while the patient is eating. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
-
-
64. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a first portion of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the portion of the stomach a signal configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the portion, and configured such that ingestion of food by the patient in conjunction with application of the signal induces stretching of a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
-
-
82. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites on an arterial supply of small intestine of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply a signal to the sites, configured such that application thereof induces constriction of one or more arteries in the arterial supply and decreases a quantity of digestion products which are absorbed into blood of the patient from the small intestine. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
-
-
97. Apparatus for treating a condition, comprising:
-
a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites of a stomach of a patient; and
a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the stomach, over a sufficient time period, a sequence of pulses configured so as to engender a long-term structural change of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106)
-
-
107. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach;
applying an ETC signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a pyloric sphincter of the stomach; and
configuring the ETC signal applied to the sites in the vicinity of the sphincter such that application thereof increases a contraction force of the sphincter and extends a period of time in which partially-digested food remains in the stomach.
-
-
108. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of the portion of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 1 minute.
-
-
109. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein the portion of the stomach includes a first portion of the stomach, and wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that, during application of the signal, ingestion of food by the patient stretches a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach and induces a sensation of satiety.
-
-
110. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof over a sufficient time period engenders a long-term structural change of the stomach.
-
-
111. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that the decreased cross-sectional area impedes passage of ingesta through the stomach.
-
-
112. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of a region of the stomach, and maintains the decreased cross-sectional area in the region for a duration greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
113. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof increases intra-gastric pressure, thereby inducing a sensation of satiety.
-
-
114. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach; and
applying an excitatory signal to muscle tissue of the stomach in conjunction with applying the ETC signal. - View Dependent Claims (115)
-
-
116. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach; and
receiving a patient signal input by the patient, wherein configuring the ETC signal comprises configuring the ETC signal responsive to the patient signal, and wherein configuring the ETC signal responsive to the patient signal comprises withholding application of the ETC signal responsive to the patient signal.
-
-
117. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal in accordance with a schedule, and wherein applying the signal comprises;
applying the signal during at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period; and
withholding applying the signal during another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
118. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal in accordance with a schedule, and wherein applying the signal comprises withholding applying the signal during time periods designated as times when the patient generally does not eat.
-
-
119. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach; and
applying excitatory pulses to one or more of the sites in conjunction with applying the ETC signal. - View Dependent Claims (120, 121, 122)
-
-
123. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites decreases a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the stomach, wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal while the patient is eating. - View Dependent Claims (124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130)
-
-
131. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a pyloric sphincter of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the ETC signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a contraction force of the sphincter and extends a period of time in which partially-digested food remains in the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145)
-
-
146. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal so as to decrease the cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
147. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein the portion of the stomach includes a first portion of the stomach, and wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that, during application of the signal, ingestion of food by the patient stretches a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach and induces a sensation of satiety.
-
-
148. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof over a sufficient time period engenders a long-term structural change of the stomach.
-
-
149. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that the decreased cross-sectional area impedes passage of ingesta through the body of the stomach.
-
-
150. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof decreases the cross-sectional area of a region of the stomach, and maintains the decreased cross-sectional area in the region for a duration greater than about 10 seconds.
-
-
151. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal such that application thereof increases intra-gastric pressure, thereby inducing a sensation of satiety.
-
-
152. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds;
applying a sphincter-control signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a lower-esophageal sphincter of the patient; and
configuring the sphincter-control signal such that application thereof increases a contraction force generated by the sphincter.
-
-
153. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient;
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds; and
receiving a patient signal input by the patient, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal responsive to the patient signal. - View Dependent Claims (154)
-
-
155. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal in accordance with a schedule, and wherein applying the signal comprises;
applying the signal during at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period; and
withholding applying the signal during another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
156. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein configuring the signal comprises configuring the signal in accordance with a schedule, and wherein applying the signal comprises withholding applying the signal during time periods designated as times when the patient generally does not eat.
-
-
157. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the one or more sites increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of a portion of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of the portion for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds, wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal while the patient is eating. - View Dependent Claims (158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164)
-
-
165. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites in a vicinity of a first portion of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that the application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the portion and stretches a stretch-receptor in a second portion of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180)
applying the signal during at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period; and
withholding applying the signal during another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
172. A method according to claim 170, wherein applying the signal comprises withholding applying the signal during time periods designated as times when the patient generally does not eat.
-
173. A method according to claim 165, wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal while the patient is eating.
-
174. A method according to claim 173, and comprising receiving a patient signal, input by the patient, indicative of the patient eating.
-
175. A method according to claim 174, wherein receiving the patient signal comprises receiving an indication of a nutritional quality of food being eaten by the patient.
-
176. A method according to claim 173, and comprising receiving a sensor signal responsive to the patient eating.
-
177. A method according to claim 176, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving an indication of a blood sugar level of the patient.
-
178. A method according to claim 176, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving the sensor signal responsive to a measurement of a mechanical disposition of a gastrointestinal tract of the patient.
-
179. A method according to claim 176, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises detecting current generated by muscle tissue of a gastrointestinal tract of the patient.
-
180. A method according to claim 176, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving an indication of a quantity of food ingested by the patient, and wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal if the sensor signal is indicative of the quantity of food being greater than a threshold value.
-
181. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a signal to one or more sites on an arterial supply of small intestine of a patient; and
configuring the signal such that application thereof to the sites induces constriction of one or more arteries in the arterial supply and decreases a quantity of digestion products which are absorbed into blood of the patient from the small intestine. - View Dependent Claims (182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193)
applying the signal subsequent to initiation of at least one meal eaten by the patient during a 24 hour period; and
withholding applying the signal subsequent to initiation of another meal eaten by the patient during the 24 hour period.
-
-
187. A method according to claim 181, and comprising determining an approximate time of initiation of eating, wherein applying the signal comprises initiating application of the signal at least ten minutes subsequent to the approximate time of initiation of eating.
-
188. A method according to claim 187, and comprising receiving a patient signal, input by the patient, indicative of the approximate time of initiation of eating.
-
189. A method according to claim 181, and comprising receiving a sensor signal indicative of food being in a gastrointestinal tract of the patient.
-
190. A method according to claim 189, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving an indication of a blood sugar level of the patient.
-
191. A method according to claim 189, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving the sensor signal responsive to a measurement of a mechanical disposition of the gastrointestinal tract.
-
192. A method according to claim 189, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises detecting current generated by muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract.
-
193. A method according to claim 189, wherein receiving the sensor signal comprises receiving an indication of a quantity of food ingested by the patient, and wherein applying the signal comprises applying the signal if the sensor signal is indicative of the quantity of food being greater than a threshold value.
-
194. A method for treating a condition, comprising:
-
applying a sequence of pulses over a time period to one or more sites of a stomach of a patient; and
configuring the sequence of pulses such that application thereof to the one or more sites engenders a long-term structural change of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203)
-
Specification