Swallowable capsule and method for stimulating incretin production within the intestinal tract

A system for stimulating incretin-producing cells (IP-cells) in an intestinal tract of a patient to secrete an incretin, the system comprising:

• a device configured to travel through the intestinal tract and electrically stimulate the IP-cells at any location in the intestinal tract;
• an accelerometer in the device configured for detecting when the device has stopped moving or is moving below a desired velocity threshold;
• and
• a controller for receiving input from the accelerometer and for delivering a first electrical signal from the device to an intestinal wall proximate the device, wherein the first electrical signal includes a waveform configured to electrically stimulate the IP-cells in the intestinal tract to secrete the incretin without causing a peristaltic contraction and for delivering a second electrical signal from the device to an intestinal wall proximate to the device causing peristaltic contractions along the intestinal tract.

A system for stimulating incretin-producing cells (IP-cells) in an intestinal tract of a patient to secrete an incretin, the system comprising:

• a swallowable capsule device configured to travel through the intestinal tract and electrically stimulate the IP-cells at any location in the intestinal tract;
• an accelerometer in the device configured for detecting when the device has stopped moving or is moving below a desired velocity threshold;
• a controller;
• and
• a waveform generator coupled to the controller, wherein the waveform generator delivers an electrical signal from the device to an intestinal wall proximate to the device causing peristaltic contractions along the intestinal tract.