Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue with targeted substance delivery
First Claim
1. A medical method, comprising:
- transcutaneously applying a device in contact with an exterior skin surface of a patient at a depot of brown adipose tissue and in communication with a receptor in communication with at least a portion of the depot of brown adipose tissue, wherein the device is one of a patch and a pump; and
activating the device to deliver a chemical from the device to the patient to activate the brown adipose tissue and increase energy expenditure of the brown adipose tissue, wherein the delivered chemical chemically interacts with cellular surface receptors of the brown adipose tissue, and the chemical comprises one of a depolarization agent, a hormone-related chemical, an odiferous agent, a Melanocortin receptor 4 (MCR4) protein agonist, a TRPA1 agonist, and a TRPV1 agonist.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue with targeted substance delivery. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a chemical configured to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly can be delivered to a patient, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The chemical can be delivered to the patient locally and/or systemically to stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A medical method, comprising:
-
transcutaneously applying a device in contact with an exterior skin surface of a patient at a depot of brown adipose tissue and in communication with a receptor in communication with at least a portion of the depot of brown adipose tissue, wherein the device is one of a patch and a pump; and activating the device to deliver a chemical from the device to the patient to activate the brown adipose tissue and increase energy expenditure of the brown adipose tissue, wherein the delivered chemical chemically interacts with cellular surface receptors of the brown adipose tissue, and the chemical comprises one of a depolarization agent, a hormone-related chemical, an odiferous agent, a Melanocortin receptor 4 (MCR4) protein agonist, a TRPA1 agonist, and a TRPV1 agonist. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
2. A medical method comprising:
-
transcutaneously applying a device in contact with an exterior skin surface of a patient at a depot of brown adipose tissue and in communication with a receptor in communication with at least a portion of the depot of brown adipose tissue, wherein the device is one of a patch and a pump; activating the device to deliver a first chemical from the device to the patient to activate the brown adipose tissue and increase energy expenditure of the brown adipose tissue, wherein the delivered first chemical includes beta adrenergic molecules; and delivering a protease chemical to the patient, the first chemical responding to the protease chemical and binding with G-protein coupled receptors on the brown adipose tissue when the first chemical is exposed to the protease chemical, thereby causing activation of the brown adipose tissue.
-
-
11. A medical method, comprising:
-
transcutaneously applying a device in contact with an exterior skin surface of a patient at least one of a supraclavicular region, a nape of a neck, a scapula, a spinal cord, proximal branches of the sympathetic nervous system that terminate in brown adipose depots, a kidney, the brain, and the gut so as to be at a depot of brown adipose tissue, the device storing a chemical therein, wherein the device is one of a patch and a pump; and activating the device to deliver the chemical to the patient to activate the brown adipose tissue and increase energy expenditure of the brown adipose tissue, wherein the delivered chemical chemically interacts with cellular surface receptors of the brown adipose tissue, and the chemical comprises one of a depolarization agent, a hormone-related chemical, an odiferous agent, a Melanocortin receptor 4 (MCR4) protein agonist, a TRPA1 agonist, and a TRPV1 agonist.
-
Specification