Smooth muscle controller

• US 6,947,792 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Impulse Dynamics NV
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Darvish, Nissim, Mika, Yuval, Shemer, Isaac, Fenster, Maier, Felzen, Bella
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US10/282,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/40, 607/39, 607/41, 607/62, 607/154, 600 13- 15
• US Class Current: 607/2
• 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, comprising selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion and applying a non-excitatory electrical field to the portion, which field reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the output of a pancreas comprising:

providing at least one electrode near the pancreas;

applying a non-excitatory electric field to the pancreas; and

monitoring a level of glucose in the blood, wherein applying the electric field comprises applying the field responsive to said monitored level; and

wherein said non-excitatory field is not specifically synchronized to local electrical activity of the pancreas.

2. Apparatus for controlling the output of a pancreas, comprising:

a sensor for measuring a level of glucose in a blood stream;

at least one electrode adjacent said pancreas; and

a controller which electrifies said electrode with a non-excitatory electric field, responsive to the measured level of glucose;

wherein said non-excitatory field is not specifically synchronized to local electrical activity of the pancreas.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus is completely implantable.

4. A method of controlling the activation profile of a gland, comprising:

determining a desired activation profile for the gland; and

applying at least one non-excitatory field to a portion of the gland to modify its activation profile;

wherein said non-excitatory field is not specifically synchronized to local electrical activity at said portion.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein applying an electric field comprises applying the electric field using a device capable of applying said field at a delay after a local activation time.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein applying an electric field comprises using a controller capable of applying at least one excitatory electric field.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein applying a non-excitatory field comprises applying an inhibitory electric field to the gland.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein applying a non-excitatory field comprises applying an electric field which reduces hormonal secretion in the gland.

9. A method according to claim 4, wherein applying a non-excitatory field comprises applying an electric field which modifies hormonal secretion in the gland.