SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTROLLER

• US 20080058889A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Darvish, Nissim, Mika, Yuval, Shemer, Isaac, Fenster, Maier, Felzen, Bella
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,071 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 1/20 continuous direct currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Claims

1. A method of treating obesity, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to at least a portion of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and

treating the obesity by applying an electric field to the least a portion of the GI tract via the at least one electrode.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the GI tract includes at least a portion of a stomach.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the electric field influences an emptying time of the stomach.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the electric field influences the emptying time of the stomach by increasing the emptying time.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying the electric field to the at least a portion of the GI tract has an effect on at least a portion of an intestinal tract.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the electric field is configured to desensitize the stomach.

7. A method according to claim 2, comprising blocking electrical activation signals from the stomach from arriving at an intestine.

8. Apparatus for treating obesity, the apparatus comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to at least a portion of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and

a power source; and

a controller configured to operate the power source so that the power source applies an electric field to the at least a portion of the GI tract via the at least one electrode thereby treating the obesity.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least a portion of the GI tract includes at least a portion of the stomach.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the electric field influences an emptying time of the stomach.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electric field influences the emptying time of the stomach by increasing the emptying time.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the gastrointestinal tract is a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, and wherein the controller is adapted to be installed outside a body of the subject.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured for conscious operation by a subject in whom the electrodes have been implanted.

14. Apparatus for regulating sugar metabolism, the apparatus comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and

circuitry configured to electrify said electrode to alter a rate of insulin production by the pancreas.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, configured to decrease the rate of insulin production.

16. Apparatus for regulating sugar metabolism, the apparatus comprising:

at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and

circuitry configured to electrify said electrode to alter responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, configured to increase responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, configured to decrease responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food.

19. A method of regulating sugar metabolism, the method comprising:

providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and

applying an electric field to the pancreas using said at least one electrode such that at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food and rate of insulin production is altered.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food is altered by being increased.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein responsiveness of the pancreas to ingestion of food is altered by being decreased.

22. A method according to claim 19, wherein rate of insulin production is altered by being decreased.