High frequency vagal blockage therapy

• US 7,613,515 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knudson, Mark B., Wilson, Richard R., Tweden, Katherine S., Conrad, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANTHONY, JESSICA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/040,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 607 40- 41, 607 45- 46, 607/133, 607/149, 607/48
• US Class Current: 607/40
• 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 1/321 Electromedical belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode at a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency in excess of 3,000 Hz for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus.

Claims

1. A method for treating obesity of a patient, said method comprising:

accessing at least one vagal nerve selected from an anterior vagus nerve and a posterior vagus nerve at a location below a vagal innervation of a heart of the obese patient;

positioning an electrode on said vagal nerve with said electrode being one of a bi-polar pair of electrodes;

implanting a pulse generator within said obese patient and with said pulse generator electrically connected to said pair of electrodes;

operating said pulse generator to generate an electrical signal treatment applied to said pair of electrodes, with said electrical signal treatment comprising;

a) an electrical signal having a frequency selected for said signal to create a neural conduction block on said vagal nerve at said location, and with said neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on said vagal nerve at said location, wherein said signal is at least 500 Hz;

b) said electrical signal is non-ablative and selected for a function of said vagal nerve affected by said electrical signal to at least partially recover following discontinuation of application of said electrical signal to said vagal nerve; and

c) said electrical signal having a plurality of on-times separated by a plurality of off-times, said signal applied during said on-times and not applied during said off-times, without afferent stimulation on a proximal side of said location during said on-times, and wherein the duration of the off-times is selected to allow at least partial recovery of activity of said vagal nerve, and wherein the on and off times are selected to reduce a likelihood of enteric accommodation;

wherein the application of said electrical signal treatment alleviates or decreases said obese patient'"'"'s symptoms of obesity.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein both electrodes of said electrodes of said pair are placed on said vagal nerve and axially spaced along said vagal nerve.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of said vagal nerve.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein durations of said on-times and off-times are altered throughout a treatment period.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein electrodes are placed on both an anterior and a posterior vagus nerve.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said frequency is at least 3000 Hz.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said frequency is about 5000 Hz.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said signal is applied at a signal amplitude of 0.5 to 8 mA.