Bulimia treatment

• US 8,369,952 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• 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): Sarcione, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US13/178,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0026 Anti-eating devices using electrical stimulation
• 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 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is gastroparesis. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to a) at least in part, upregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve without triggering muscular contractility, and, b) increase pancreobilliary output.

Claims

1. A method for treating gastroparesis comprising:

positioning at least one first electrode on a vagus nerve at a site below a vagal innervation of a heart of a patient having gastroparesis, with the nerve innervating at least one of a plurality of alimentary tract organs; and

treating the patient'"'"'s gastroparesis by instructing an implantable device to apply an electrical signal to the electrode intermittently and not in response to a sensed event, wherein the electrical signal is selected to a) at least in part, upregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve without triggering muscular contractility, and, b) increase pancreatic and biliary output via stimulation of pancreo-biliary output.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein application of the electrical signal is varied by a controller to alter a characteristic of the electrical signal.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode is placed at the vagus nerve at an esophagus of the patient.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signal has a frequency of about 12 Hz.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signal is applied to a trunk of the vagus nerve.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signal is applied to a branch of the vagus nerve.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signal is applied to both an anterior vagus nerve and a posterior vagus nerve of the patient.