Blood glucose level control

• US 20060184207A1
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metacure NV
• Inventors: Darvish, Nissim, Felsen, Bella, Harel, Tami
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A pancreatic controller, comprising: a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum; at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells; a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and a controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

Claims

1. A method of controlling body glucose levels, comprising:

providing an electrode adapted to electrify at least a part of an abdominal region of a person having a pancreas with existing electrical activity; and

applying an AC pulse to the abdominal region, not synchronized to said existing electrical activity, which pulse causes a reduction in glucose levels in a body containing said pancreas.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a symmetric pulse.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes an asymmetric pulse.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a bi-phasic pulse.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes a pulse train.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said pulse train includes delays.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is excitatory at least in part.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is non-excitatory.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse includes at least one excitatory pulse followed by at least one non-excitatory pulse.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying is in response to ingestion.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying is in response to anticipated ingestion.

13. A method according to claim 1, said electrode is adapted for being placed adjacent said pancreas.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said electrode is adapted for long term contact with bile fluids.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is designed to extend a plateau duration of an action potential of said cell, thereby allowing more calcium inflow into the cell.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is designed to extend a duration of a burst activity of cells in said abdominal region.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has an amplitude sufficient to recruit non-participating insulin secreting cells.

18. A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising employing at least one second electrode for electrifying a second at least a part of an abdominal region, wherein said second electrode supplies a second AC pulse different from said AC pulse of said electrode.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said second pulse is designed to suppress insulin secretion.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said second pulse is designed to hyper-polarize said a second at least a part of an abdominal region.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is not applied at every action potential of said cell.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse is not applied at every burst activity of said cell.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of less than a single action potential of said cell.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of less than a plateau duration of said cell.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of longer than a single action potential of said cell.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein said AC pulse has a duration of longer than a burst activity duration of said cell.

27. A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising administering a pharmaceutical treatment to said body containing said pancreas.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said pharmaceutical treatment comprises a pancreatic treatment.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse counteracts adverse effects of said pharmaceutical treatment.

30. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse synergistically interacts with said pharmaceutical treatment.

31. A method according to claim 27, wherein said AC pulse counteracts an adverse effect of pacing stimulation of said cell.

2. A method of controlling insulin secretion, comprising:

providing an electrode adapted to electrify at least a part of an abdominal region of a person having a pancreas with existing electrical activity; and

applying an AC pulse to the abdominal region, not synchronized to said existing electrical activity, which pulse modifies an insulin response of said pancreas to glucose levels.

32. An apparatus for controlling body glucose levels, the apparatus comprising:

an electrode adapted to electrify at least a part of an abdominal region of a subject; and

a controller adapted to deliver an AC pulse to the electrode;

wherein said AC pulse is capable of causing a reduction in glucose levels of said subject.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said AC pulse is asynchronous with respect to an existing electrical activity in said at least a part of an abdominal region.