Blood glucose level control

• US 8,346,363 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Darvish, Nissim, Harel, Tami, Felsen, Bella
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US11/318,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,562 Days
• Field of Search: 607/22, 607/40
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A pancreatic controller, comprising:

• • a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum;
  • at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells;
  • a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and
  • a controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

Claims

1. A method of controlling body glucose levels, comprising:

implanting an electrode adapted to electrify at least a part of an abdominal region of a person having a pancreas with existing electrical activity; and

applying an AC pulse via said electrode to the abdominal region, without synchronizing said applying to said existing electrical activity, which pulse causes a reduction in glucose levels in a body containing said pancreas,

wherein said implanting comprises attaching to a muscle and wherein applying comprises avoiding inadvertent excitation of said muscle.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a symmetric pulse.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes an asymmetric pulse.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a bi-phasic pulse.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a pulse train.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said pulse train includes delays.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is excitatory at least in part.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is non-excitatory.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes at least one excitatory pulse followed by at least one non-excitatory pulse.

11. A method according to claim 1, comprising determining an ingestion event, wherein said applying is in response to said determined ingestion.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising anticipating an ingestion event wherein said applying is in response to said anticipated ingestion.

13. A method according to claim 1, said electrode is adapted for being placed adjacent said pancreas.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrode is adapted for long term contact with bile fluids.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is designed to extend a plateau duration of an action potential of a cell in the abdominal region, thereby allowing more calcium inflow into the cell.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is designed to extend a duration of a burst activity of cells in said abdominal region.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has an amplitude sufficient to recruit non-participating insulin secreting cells.

18. A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising employing at least one second electrode for electrifying a second at least a part of an abdominal region, wherein said second electrode supplies a second AC pulse different from said AC pulse of said electrode.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said second pulse is designed to suppress insulin secretion.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said second pulse is designed to hyper-polarize said a second at least a part of an abdominal region.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is not applied at every action potential of said cell.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is not applied at every burst activity of said cell.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of less than a single action potential of said cell.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of less than a plateau duration of said cell.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of longer than a single action potential of said cell.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of longer than a burst activity duration of said cell.

27. A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising administering a pharmaceutical treatment to said body containing said pancreas.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said pharmaceutical treatment comprises a pancreatic treatment.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse counteracts adverse effects of said pharmaceutical treatment.

30. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse synergistically interacts with said pharmaceutical treatment.

31. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse counteracts an adverse effect of pacing stimulation of said cell.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying an AC pulse via said electrode to the abdominal region comprises applying a pulse of less than 2000 Hz.

34. A method according to claim 1, wherein implanting an electrode comprises implanting an electrode and lead.

36. A method according to claim 1, wherein implanting an electrode comprises implanting an electrode intra-abdominally.

38. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises intentionally stimulating tissue near said at least one electrode and to which said at least one electrode is not attached or in contact with, by said applying an AC pulse.

40. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying comprises intentionally reducing said blood glucose level.

42. A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying comprises applying said AC pulse to a plurality of spaced apart tissue regions, using a same electrode.

44. A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying comprises applying different electrification to different spaced apart tissue regions, using a plurality of electrodes.

46. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a bi-phasic pulse of at least 10 ms in duration.

2. A method of controlling insulin secretion, comprising:

implanting an electrode adapted to electrify at least a part of an abdominal region of a person having a pancreas with existing electrical activity; and

applying an AC pulse via said electrode to the abdominal region, without synchronizing said applying to said existing electrical activity, which pulse modifies an insulin response of said pancreas to glucose levels,

wherein said implanting comprises attaching to a muscle and wherein applying comprises avoiding inadvertent excitation of said muscle.

33. A method according to claim 2, wherein applying an AC pulse via said electrode to the abdominal region comprises applying a pulse of less than 2000 Hz.

35. A method according to claim 2, wherein implanting an electrode comprises implanting an electrode and lead.

37. A method according to claim 2, wherein implanting an electrode comprises implanting an electrode intra-abdominally.

39. A method according to claim 2, wherein applying comprises intentionally stimulating tissue near said at least one electrode and to which said at least one electrode is not attached or in contact with.

41. A method according to claim 2, wherein applying comprises intentionally reducing said blood glucose level.

43. A method according to claim 2, wherein said applying comprises applying said AC pulse to a plurality of spaced apart tissue regions, using a same electrode.

45. A method according to claim 2, wherein said applying comprises applying different electrification to different spaced apart tissue regions, using a plurality of electrodes.

47. A method according to claim 2, wherein said AC pulse includes a bi-phasic pulse of at least 10 ms in duration.