Smooth muscle controller

• US 7,120,497 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metacure NV
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Darvish, Nissim, Mika, Yuval, Shemer, Isaac, Fenster, Maier, Felzen, Bella
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US10/282,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 600/588, 600/587, 600/547, 600/546, 600/304, 607/2, 607/39, 607/62, 607/68, 607/116, 607/138, 607/149
• US Class Current: 607/39
• 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. Apparatus for controlling at least the local activity of a portion of an in vivo smooth muscle, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes, adapted to be in contact with a portion of smooth muscle to be controlled;

a controller which electrifies said electrodes with a signal comprising at least an electrical field which does not generate a propagating action potential in said smooth muscle, which electrical field modifies the reaction of said smooth muscle to an activation signal; and

an electrical activity sensor which detects electrical activity at the portion, wherein said controller electrifies said electrodes responsive to signals from said sensor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrification at each of the electrodes is responsive to its local electrical activity.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical activity sensor senses electrical activity through ones of the plurality of electrodes.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an impedance sensor, which senses at least one impedance between selected ones of the plurality of electrodes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a force transducer which detects mechanical activity at the portion and wherein the controller electrifies the electrodes responsive to signals from said transducer.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller applies an inhibitory electric field to the muscle, when said mechanical activity is above a certain threshold.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrification at each of the electrodes is responsive to its local mechanical activity.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-excitatory field inhibits mechanical activity at the portion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-excitatory field reduces the force of contraction at the portion.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-excitatory field increases the force of contraction at the portion.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller electrifies at least one of said electrodes with an excitatory electric field.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller selectively electrifies ones of the plurality of electrodes to selectively generate one of two perpendicular electric fields.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to be implanted inside a uterus and attached to the uterus wall.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to be implanted inside the body and outside a uterus.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the controller determines a frequency of contractions in the uterus and wherein said controller electrifies the electrodes responsive to said determined frequency.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the electrodes comprise elastic leads.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the electrodes are attached to a plurality of remote regions of the uterus.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the controller senses and inhibits mechanical activity in substantially the entire uterus.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the controller increases the force of contraction in substantially the entire uterus.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is in a capsule adapted to be inserted into a rectum.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes are adapted to be implanted inside the body while the controller is adapted to be situated outside the body.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the electrodes are adapted to be disconnected from the smooth muscle from outside the body.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 for treating cramps, comprising:

a flexible body having an outside portion and adapted to snugly engage the inside of a uterus;

wherein the plurality of electrodes is disposed on the outside of said body.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the flexible body is inflatable.

26. An implantable apparatus for controlling, for therapeutic purposes, at least the local activity of a portion of an in vivo smooth muscle, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes, adapted to be in contact with a portion of smooth muscle to be controlled; and

a controller which electrifies said electrodes with a signal comprising at least an electrical field which does not generate a propagating action potential in said smooth muscle, which electrical field modifies the reaction of said smooth muscle to an activation signal.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, comprising an electrical activity sensor which detects electrical activity at the portion and wherein the controller electrifies the electrodes responsive to signals from said sensor.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the electrification at each of the electrodes is responsive to its local electrical activity.

29. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the electrical activity sensor senses electrical activity through ones of the plurality of electrodes.

30. Apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising an impedance sensor, which senses at least one impedance between selected ones of the plurality of electrodes.

31. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the controller electrifies at least one of said electrodes with an excitatory electric field.

32. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

33. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the controller selectively electrifies ones of the plurality of electrodes to selectively generate one of two perpendicular electric fields.

34. Apparatus according to claim 26 for treating cramps, comprising:

a flexible body having an outside portion and adapted to snugly engage the inside of a uterus;

wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed on the outside of said body.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the flexible body is inflatable.