Electrode band apparatus and method
AssigneeEnteroMedics Inc.
InventorsMark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.
Claims23
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 a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of said patient where said organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk or branch and with an electrode disposed on said carrier and 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.
An apparatus 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 apparatus comprising:
- a neurostimulator carrier sized to be passed around a selected body organ of said patient and having at least a vagal trunk and said carrier having an electrode disposed on said carrier to be positioned near said trunk;
- a source of electrical signal electrically coupled to said electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat said disorder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.