High frequency vagal blockage therapy

• US 20050131485A1
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• 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 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode at a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency in excess of 3,000 Hz for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus.

Claims

1. A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient where the disorders are characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of alimentary tract organs of said patient at an innervation site, said method comprising:

positioning an electrode at a body organ of said patient where said organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk or branch and with said electrode positioned at said vagal trunk or branch;

applying an electrical signal to said electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat said disorder;

said electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for said signal to create a neural conduction block to said trunk or branch at a blocking site with said neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on said trunk at said blocking site;

said signal applied at a frequency of at least 5,000 Hz.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein application of said neural conduction block is applied to said nerve with bi-polar electrodes.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one of a plurality of disorders is obesity.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said electrodes are axially spaced along said nerve.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of said nerve.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein a parameter of said signal is occasionally altered to avoid accommodation.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein electrodes are placed on both an anterior and a posterior vagus nerve on opposite sides of an esophagus with an electrode on said anterior nerve axially spaced from an electrode on said posterior nerve.