Back to results
US 2010/0145408 A1Published application
Splanchnic Nerve Stimulation For Treatment of Obesity
OwnerJohn D. Dobak, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for the treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating the greater splanchnic nerve or other portion of the sympathetic nervous system using an electrode. This nerve activation can result in reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure.
Claims38
A method of reducing fat in a liver of a patient, comprising:
- providing a pulse generator that emits electrical pulses in a programmable stimulation pattern;
- wherein the stimulation pattern is programmable to reduce fat in the liver from electrical activation of a sympathetic nerve of the patient, and wherein the stimulation pattern is further programmable to keep the patient's blood pressure within safe limits during the electrical activation of the splanchnic nerve;
- and
- electrically activating the sympathetic nerve of the patient with said pulse generator using said stimulation pattern so as to reduce fat in the liver and keep the patient's blood pressure within safe limits.
1 more element
A method of reducing fat in the liver of a patient comprising:
- electrically stimulating a postganglionic branch of the splanchnic nerve with a stimulation pattern, wherein the postganglionic branch of the splanchnic nerve stimulates the liver and wherein fat is reduced in the liver.
A method for reducing fat in a liver of a patient comprising:
- electrically coupling an electrode to a splanchnic nerve in a mammal at a location above the diaphragm of the mammal;
- and
- electrically activating the splanchnic nerve, wherein the electrically activating is performed in a stimulation pattern for a first time period within a period of about 24 hours and ceasing the electrical activation of the splanchnic nerve for a second time period within the period of about 24 hours, wherein the stimulation pattern includes a stimulation intensity pattern adapted and configured to result in net reduction in fat in the liver over a period of about 4 to 8 weeks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.