Smooth muscle controller
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling at least the local activity of a portion of an in vivo smooth muscle, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An implantable apparatus for controlling, for therapeutic purposes, at least the local activity of a portion of an in vivo smooth muscle, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification