Electrode band system and methods of using the system to treat obesity
First Claim
1. A system for treating obesity in a patient comprising:
- a) a band comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array;
b) a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrode array;
said signal generator comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to at least one of the first or second electrode array, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory;
c) an external programmer configured to;
communicate at least one parameter for the neural conduction blocking signal to the signal generator, wherein the parameter is selected for the neuroconduction blocking signal to i) at least partially downregulate a vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of a nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output, andd) an external coil adapted to be worn by the patient and adapted to inductively couple to the induction coil of the signal generator.
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Accused Products
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 obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve. In embodiments, a system comprises a band comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first, and second electrode array; an external programmer configured to: communicate at least one parameter for the neural conduction blocking signal to the implantable controller, wherein the parameter is selected for the neuroconduction blocking signal to i) at least partially downregulate the vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of the nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output; and an external coil.
258 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for treating obesity in a patient comprising:
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a) a band comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; b) a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrode array;
said signal generator comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to at least one of the first or second electrode array, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory;c) an external programmer configured to;
communicate at least one parameter for the neural conduction blocking signal to the signal generator, wherein the parameter is selected for the neuroconduction blocking signal to i) at least partially downregulate a vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of a nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output, andd) an external coil adapted to be worn by the patient and adapted to inductively couple to the induction coil of the signal generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of treating obesity comprising
a) implanting a band comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; - and a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrode array;
said signal generator comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to at least one of the first or second electrode array, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory into an obese patient; andb) treating obesity of the patient by applying a neuroconduction blocking signal to at least one electrode in the first or second electrode array, wherein the neuroconduction blocking signal is selected to i) at least partially downregulate the vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of the nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- and a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrode array;
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14. A method of treating obesity comprising
a) implanting a band comprising a first electrode array and a second electrode array; -
b) implanting a second band comprising a third electrode array and a fourth electrode array; c) implanting a signal generator electrically connected to each of said band and second band;
said signal generator comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to at least one of the first, second, third or fourth electrode array, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory into an obese patient; andd) treating obesity of the patient by applying a neuroconduction blocking signal to at least one electrode in the first, second, third or fourth electrode array, wherein the neuroconduction blocking signal is selected to i) at least partially downregulate the vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of the nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification