US 6,129,685 A · Stereotactic hypothalamic obesity probe

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for regulating the appetite of an individual suffering from morbid obesity, the apparatus including a plurality of stimulation electrodes arranged longitudinally on at least one electrode support shaft for insertion within the hypothalamus for outputting electrical discharges to specific sites within the hypothalamus. Each of the plurality of stimulation electrodes may be independently controlled. Electrical discharge of various frequencies transmitted from one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes, and delivered to a region of the hypothalamus that is involved with either stimulating or inhibiting appetite, may be used to regulate appetite in the individual. Alternatively, an individual's appetite may be regulated by the microinfusion from at least one microinfusion catheter of an appropriate quantity of a suitable drug to a distinct site or region within the hypothalamus.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A stimulation trials hypothalamic obesity probe for stereotactic placement in the hypothalamus of a patient, comprising:

at least one electrode support shaft configured to be implanted within a hypothalamus of a patient, each at least one electrode support shaft having a plurality of stimulation electrodes, each of said plurality of stimulation electrodes capable of independently outputting electrical discharges to the patient's hypothalamus;
and
a macrocatheter for housing said at least one electrode support shaft, said macrocatheter including a magnetic positioning unit located at a distal end of the macrocatheter and configured to allow the macrocatheter to be positioned to a location adjacent to the patient's hypothalamus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stereotactic hypothalamic obesity probe

Life of this patent

Stereotactic hypothalamic obesity probe

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19