Implantable electroacupuncture device and method for treating obesity
First Claim
1. A method of treating obesity and overweight conditions in a patient using a small, leadless, coin-sized and coin-shaped, self-contained, implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) powered by a small disc primary battery having a specified nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and having an internal impedance of at least 5 ohms, the IEAD being configured, using electronic circuitry within the IEAD, to generate electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen and apply the EA stimulation pulses through at least two electrodes/arrays located on the housing of the IEAD to the patient'"'"'s body tissue at a selected target tissue stimulation site, said at least two electrodes/arrays comprising a symmetrical electrode configuration that includes at least one central electrode/array of a first polarity, having a maximum width of no more than 7 mm, centrally located on a first surface of the small IEAD housing, and at least one annular electrode/array of a second polarity spaced apart from the central electrode/array by at least 5 mm measured from the edge of the annular electrode/array closest to the central electrode/array to the center of the central electrode/array, said method comprising:
- (a) implanting the IEAD below the skin surface of the patient at the selected target stimulation site, the target stimulation site being selected from the group of target stimulation sites comprising acupoints SP4, LR8 and ST40, and underlying nerves saphenous and peroneal, with the first surface of the IEAD facing inwardly into the patient'"'"'s body tissue at the selected target stimulation site;
(b) enabling the IEAD to continuously provide stimulation pulses in accordance with a stimulation regimen that is configured to slowly and methodically remodel the central nervous system of the patient to provide provides a stimulation session at a rate of once every T4 minutes, with each stimulation session having a duration of T3 minutes, where T3 is at least 10 minutes, and where the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats obese conditions of a patient through application of stimulation pulses applied at acupoints SP4, LR8 or ST40, or their underlying nerves saphenous and peroneal. The IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4, is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.
91 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of treating obesity and overweight conditions in a patient using a small, leadless, coin-sized and coin-shaped, self-contained, implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) powered by a small disc primary battery having a specified nominal output voltage of 3 volts, and having an internal impedance of at least 5 ohms, the IEAD being configured, using electronic circuitry within the IEAD, to generate electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen and apply the EA stimulation pulses through at least two electrodes/arrays located on the housing of the IEAD to the patient'"'"'s body tissue at a selected target tissue stimulation site, said at least two electrodes/arrays comprising a symmetrical electrode configuration that includes at least one central electrode/array of a first polarity, having a maximum width of no more than 7 mm, centrally located on a first surface of the small IEAD housing, and at least one annular electrode/array of a second polarity spaced apart from the central electrode/array by at least 5 mm measured from the edge of the annular electrode/array closest to the central electrode/array to the center of the central electrode/array, said method comprising:
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(a) implanting the IEAD below the skin surface of the patient at the selected target stimulation site, the target stimulation site being selected from the group of target stimulation sites comprising acupoints SP4, LR8 and ST40, and underlying nerves saphenous and peroneal, with the first surface of the IEAD facing inwardly into the patient'"'"'s body tissue at the selected target stimulation site; (b) enabling the IEAD to continuously provide stimulation pulses in accordance with a stimulation regimen that is configured to slowly and methodically remodel the central nervous system of the patient to provide provides a stimulation session at a rate of once every T4 minutes, with each stimulation session having a duration of T3 minutes, where T3 is at least 10 minutes, and where the ratio of T3/T4 is no greater than 0.05. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification