Electrical stimulation of a pancreas
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject;
in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within an inferior vena cava of the subject, the intravascular support structure having at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject;
using a control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current by sending a signal to the electrode; and
identifying that the subject is eating,wherein using the control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current comprises;
in response to the identifying, during a first period of time beginning less than 15 minutes after the identifying and having a duration of at least 10 minutes, driving the at least one electrode to drive the electric current; and
during a second period of time that immediately follows the first period of time and has a duration of at least 30 minutes, withholding driving the at least one electrode to drive the electric current.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are described, including a method that includes (i) identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject, and (ii) in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within a blood vessel of the subject. The intravascular support structure has at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject. Other applications are also described.
49 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject; in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within an inferior vena cava of the subject, the intravascular support structure having at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject; using a control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current by sending a signal to the electrode; and identifying that the subject is eating, wherein using the control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current comprises; in response to the identifying, during a first period of time beginning less than 15 minutes after the identifying and having a duration of at least 10 minutes, driving the at least one electrode to drive the electric current; and during a second period of time that immediately follows the first period of time and has a duration of at least 30 minutes, withholding driving the at least one electrode to drive the electric current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject; and in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within an inferior vena cava of the subject, the intravascular support structure having at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject, wherein placing the intravascular support structure within the inferior vena cava comprises penetrating a wall of the inferior vena cava with the at least one electrode that is coupled to the intravascular support structure, and wherein penetrating the wall of the inferior vena cava comprises penetrating completely through the wall of the inferior vena cava. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method comprising:
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identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject; in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within an inferior vena cava of the subject, the intravascular support structure having at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject; using a control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current by sending a signal to the electrode; and using a sensor to detect that the subject is eating, wherein using the control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current comprises using the control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current in response to detecting that the subject is eating.
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17. A method comprising:
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identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject; in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within an inferior vena cava of the subject, the intravascular support structure having at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject; and using a control unit to drive the at least one electrode to drive the electric current by sending a signal to the electrode, wherein using the control unit to drive the at least one electrode comprises withholding driving the at least one electrode at one or more designated times in a 24-hour cycle. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification