Intraluminal electrode apparatus and method
AssigneeEnteroMedics Inc.
InventorsMark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Abstract
At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient associated with vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient at an innervation site are treated by positioning a neurostimulator carrier within a body lumen of the patient. An electrode disposed on the carrier is positioned at a mucosal layer of the lumen. 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.
Claims24
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 within a body lumen of said patient and with an electrode disposed on said carrier and positioned at a mucosal layer of said lumen in a region of a vagal trunk;
- applying an electrical signal to said stimulator 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 through a selected body lumen of said patient and having an electrode disposed on said carrier to be positioned at a mucosal layer of said lumen;
- 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.