Blood glucose level control

• US 8,019,421 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Glasberg, Offer, Darvish, Nissim, Felsen, Bella, Harel, Tami
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Niketa I
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLMES, REX R
• Application Number:
  US10/237,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,295 Days
• Field of Search: 607 40- 41, 607 44- 48, 607/58, 607/62, 607/70, 607/72, 607116-118, 600/316, 600508-509
• 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 1/32 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

Abstract

A pancreatic controller, comprising:

• • at least one electrode adapted for electrifying at least a portion of a pancreas; and
  • a controller programmed to electrify said electrode so as to positively control at least the effect of at least two members of a group consisting of blood glucose level, blood insulin level and blood level of another pancreatic hormone. In one example, the controller controls insulin, glucagon and/or glucose blood levels.

Claims

1. A method of controlling blood glucose level and blood insulin level in a patient, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode within an abdominal cavity or an abdominal muscle of a patient, said at least one electrode being attached to tissue adjacent a pancreas, wherein said at least one electrode is coupled to an electrification source; and

electrifying the at least one electrode according to an electrification sequence which positively controls both the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level of said patient to change in a manner indicative of reduced causative interaction between glucose level and insulin level.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing in a location in which electrical signals from the at least one electrode control operation of the pancreas.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing in the intestine.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing in or alongside the pancreas.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing through the stomach.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing adjacent fat surrounding the pancreas.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing one or more electrodes in abdominal muscles.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing one or more electrodes in a structure nearby the pancreas.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode within the patient comprises providing through the abdomen.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode comprises providing a needle electrode.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein providing the at least one electrode comprises inserting the at least one electrode into muscle.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level at least partially by changing responses of cells to glucose levels.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and blood insulin level at least partially by changing responses of beta cells to high blood glucose levels.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls blood glucose level and blood insulin level at least partially by changing responses of cells to high blood glucose levels.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification sequence controls blood glucose level and blood insulin level at least partially by changing a response of cells to increases in glucose levels.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level by damping responses of cells to glucose levels.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level at least partially by enhancing responses of cells to glucose levels.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level at least partially by changing a response speed of cells to glucose levels.

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level at least partially by changing a response time of cells to glucose levels.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein said electrification sequence controls the at least two members at least partially by changing a response gain of cells to glucose levels.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein there exist one or more isolating tissue layers between said at least one electrode and a pancreas and wherein electrifying the at least one electrode comprises electrifying at an amplitude level which takes into account said at least one isolating tissue layers between the at least one electrode and the pancreas.

22. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing bio-active molecules which interact with the electrification in the body of the patient in parallel to the electrification, as part of said control.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said molecules suppress the secretion of at least one pancreatic hormone.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein said molecules suppress the effect of at least one pancreatic hormone.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification sequence reduces feedback interactions between said blood glucose level and said insulin level the at least two members.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification sequence positively controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein electrifying comprises interfering with a physiological feedback mechanism between said blood glucose and blood insulin levels.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein electrifying comprises controlling said levels so that a direction and magnitude of change of glucose level is not compatible with a physiologically mediated direction and magnitude of change in insulin level.

29. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification reduces glucose levels.

30. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrification sequence controls the blood glucose level and the blood insulin level at least partially by changing a responsiveness of cells to glucose levels.