Patent Application
20100241183
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to metabolic disease, systemic disease, and neuropsychiatric disease and, more particularly, to modulation of autonomic neural structures including sympathetic and parasympathetic neural structures for the treatment of a spectrum of conditions including but not limited to obesity, weight loss, eating disorders, psychiatric condition, depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, social anxiety, panic attacks, and other neurological and psychiatric conditions, epilepsy, metabolic disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal modulation, inflammatory conditions and diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, immunomodulation, immune disease, infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, autoimmune immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus) infection (HIV), severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), other causes of immunodeficiency, other causes of immunosuppression, mitigation of effects of iatrogenic immunosupppression (including that used with organ transplantation or for treating autoimmune disorders), and other causes of decreased immune system activity, multiple sclerosis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), type I diabetes (the pathophysiology of which may include an autoimmune component), rheumatoid arthritis, graft versus host disease, psoriasis, allergic reactions, dermatitis, other allergic conditions, some complications from infection, including but not limited to lyme disease, streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), rheumatic heart disease, fungal infections, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, viral infections, other infections, and other exposures to infectious or allergenic agents, organ transplantation, asthma, including exercise induced asthma and other forms of asthma, bronchoconstrictive processes, bronchoconstriction, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiac disease, including hear failure and bradycardia, decreased myocardial contractility found in cardiac disease, including congestive heart failure, post myocardial infarction sequelae, and other cardiac disorders, bradycardia and heart block, hypotension, neurogenic shock, diastolic disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, tachycardia, other cardiac rhythm abnormalities, cerebral vasospasm, ischemic stroke, peripheral vascular disease, low blood pressure, low vascular tone, hypertension, including essential hypertension, renally mediated hypertension, atherosclerosis mediated hypertension, other forms of systemic hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke, enhanced circulation and drug delivery in the treatment of infections and as an adjuvant to accelerate healing processes, such as ulcers, postoperative wounds, trauma, headaches, applications for effecting cerebral vasodilation, smoking cessation, drug withdrawal, hyperhidrosis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, pain, as well as any other condition or disease including those which affect or are affected by dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, and other conditions.
2. Related Art
Physiologic studies have demonstrated the presence of a sympathetic nervous system afferent pathway transmitting gastric distention information to the hypothalamus. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38:239-51.] However, prior techniques have generally not addressed the problems associated with satiety, morbidity, mortality of intracranial modulation and the risk of ulcers. Unlike prior techniques, by specifically targeting sympathetic afferent fibers, the present invention effects the sensation of satiety and avoids the substantial risks of morbidity and mortality of intracranial modulation, particularly dangerous in the vicinity of the hypothalamus. Furthermore, this invention avoids the risk of ulcers inherent in vagus nerve stimulation.
A. Satiety. Stimulation of intracranial structures has been proposed and described for the treatment of obesity (U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,798). Stimulation of the left ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) nucleus resulted in delayed eating by dogs who had been food deprived. Following 24 hours of food deprivation, dogs with VMH stimulation waited between 1 and 18 hours after food presentation before consuming a meal. Sham control dogs ate immediately upon food presentation. Dogs that received 1 hour of stimulation every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days maintained an average daily food intake of 35% of normal baseline levels. [Brown, Fessler et al. (1984). Changes in food intake with electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus in dogs. Journal of Neurosurgery. 60:1253-7.]
B. Candidate Peripheral Nerve Pathways for Modulating Satiety.
B1. Sympathetic Afferents. The effect of gastric distension on activity in the lateral hypothalamus-lateral preoptic area-medial forebrain bundle (LPA-LH-MFB) was studied to determine the pathways for this gastric afferent input to the hypothalamus. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38:239-51.] The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) was found to be a relay station for this information. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38: 239-51.] This modulation of the hypothalamus was attenuated but not permanently eliminated by bilateral transection of the vagus nerve. This modulation was, however, significantly reduced or eliminated by bilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic chain or spinal transection at the first cervical level. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38: 239-51.] These signals containing gastric distension and temperature stimulation are mediated to a large degree by sympathetic afferents, and the PAG is a relay station for this gastric afferent input to the hypothalamus. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38:239-51.] For example, in the LPA-LH-MFB study, 26.1% of the 245 neurons studied were affected by gastric stimulation, with 17.6% increasing in firing frequency and 8.6% decreasing during gastric distension. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38:239-51.] The response of 8 of 8 neurons sensitive to gastric distension were maintained, though attenuated after bilateral vagus nerves were cut. In 2 of these 8 cells, the effect was transiently eliminated for 2-4 minutes after left vagus transection, and then activity recovered. In 3 LH-MFB cells, two increased and the other decreased firing rate with gastric distension. Following bilateral sympathetic ganglion transection, the response of two were eliminated, and the third (which increased firing with distension) had a significantly attenuated response. [Barone, Zarco de Coronado et al. (1995). Gastric distension modulates hypothalamic neurons via a sympathetic afferent path through the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray. Brain Research Bulletin. 38:239-51.] Vagus stimulation resulted in opposite or similar responses as gastric distension on the mesencephalic cells.
B2. Vagus Nerve Afferents. Gastric vagal input to neurons throughout the hypothalamus has been characterized. [Yuan and Barber (1992). Hypothalamic unitary responses to gastric vagal input from the proximal stomach. American Journal of Physiology. 262:G74-80.] Nonselective epineural vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been described for the treatment of Obesity (U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,104). This suffers from several significant limitations that are overcome by the present invention.
The vagus nerve is well known to mediate gastric hydrochloric acid secretion. Dissection of the vagus nerve off the stomach is often performed as part of major gastric surgery for ulcers. Stimulation of the vagus nerve may pose risks for ulcers in patients, of particular concern, as obese patients often have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); further augmentation of gastric acid secretion would only exacerbate this condition.
C. Assessment of Sympathetic and Vagus Stimulation. The present invention teaches a significantly more advanced neuroelectric interface technology to stimulate the vagus nerve and avoid the efferent vagus side effects, including speech and cardiac side effects common in with existing VNS technology as well as the potential ulcerogenic side effects. However, since sympathetic afferent activity appears more responsive to gastric distension, this may represent a stronger channel for modulating satiety. Furthermore, by pacing stimulating modulators on the greater curvature of the stomach, one may stimulate the majority of the circular layer of gastric musculature, thereby diffusely increasing gastric tone.
D. Neuromuscular Stimulation. The muscular layer of the stomach is comprised of 3 layers: (1) an outer longitudinal layer, (2) a circular layer in between, and (3) a deeper oblique layer. [Gray (1974). Gray's Anatomy. T. Pick and R. Howden. Philadelphia, Running Press.] The circular fibers, which lie deep to the superficial longitudinal fibers, would appear to be the layer of choice for creating uniform and consistent gastric contraction with elevated wall tension and luminal pressure. Therefore, modulators should have the ability to deliver stimulation through the longitudinal layer. If the modulator is in the form of an electrode, then the electrodes should have the ability to deliver current through the longitudinal layer.
Gray's Anatomy describes innervation as including the right and left pneumogastric nerves (not the vagus nerves), being distributed on the back and front of the stomach, respectively. A great number of branches from the sympathetic nervous system also supply the stomach. [Gray (1974). Gray's Anatomy. T. Pick and R. Howden. Philadelphia, Running Press.]
E. Metabolic Modulation (Efferent). Electrical stimulation of the VMH enhances lipogenesis in the brown adipose tissue (BAT), preferentially over the white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver, probably through a mechanism involving activation of the sympathetic innervation of the BAT. [Takahashi and Shimazu (1982). Hypothalamic regulation of lipid metabolism in the rat: effect of hypothalamic stimulation on lipogenesis. Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System. 6:225-35.] The VMH is a hypothalamic component of the sympathetic nervous system. [Ban (1975). Fiber connections in the hypothalamus and some autonomic functions. Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior. 3:3-13.] A thermogenic response in BAT was observed with direct sympathetic nerve stimulation. [Flaim, Horwitz et al. (1977). Coupling of signals to brown fat: a- and b-adrenergic responses in intact rats. Amer. J. Physiol. 232:R101-R109.] The BAT had abundant sympathetic innervation with adrenergic fibers that form nest-like networks around every fat cell, [Derry, Schonabum et al. (1969). Two sympathetic nerve supplies to brown adipose tissue of the rat. Canad. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 47:57-63.] whereas WAT has no adrenergic fibers in direct contact with fat cells except those related to the blood vessels. [Daniel and Derry (1969). Criteria for differentiation of brown and white fat in the rat. Canad. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 47:941-945.]
The present invention teaches apparatus and methods for treating a multiplicity of diseases, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, diabetes, and other diseases. The invention taught herein employs a variety of energy modalities to modulate central nervous system structures, peripheral nervous system structures, and peripheral tissues and to modulate physiology of neural structures and other organs, including gastrointestinal, adipose, pancreatic, and other tissues. The methods for performing this modulation, including the sites of stimulation and the modulator configurations are described. The apparatus for performing the stimulation are also described. This invention teaches a combination of novel anatomic approaches and apparatus designs for direct and indirect modulation of the autonomic nervous system, which is comprised of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
For the purposes of this description the term GastroPace should be interpreted to mean the devices constituting the system of the present embodiment of this invention, including the obesity application as well as others described, implied, enabled, facilitated, and derived from those taught in the present invention.
A. Obesity and Eating Disorders. The present invention teaches several mechanisms, including neural modulation and direct contraction of the gastric musculature, to effect the perception of satiety. This modulation is useful in the treatment of obesity and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulemia.
Direct stimulation of the gastric musculature increases the intraluminal pressure within the stomach; and this simulates the physiologic condition of having a full stomach, sensed by stretch receptors in the muscle tissue and transmitted via neural afferent pathways to the hypothalamus and other central nervous system structures, where the neural activity is perceived as satiety.
This may be accomplished with the several alternative devices and methods taught in the present invention. Stimulation of any of the gastric fundus, greater curvature of stomach, pyloric antrum, or lesser curvature of stomach, or other region of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract, increases the intraluminal pressure. Increase of intraluminal pressure physiologically resembles fullness of the respective organ, and satiety is perceived.
The present invention also includes the restriction of the flow of food to effect satiety. This is accomplished by stimulation of the pylorus. The pylorus is the sphincter-like muscle at the distal juncture of the stomach with the duodenum, and it regulates food outflow from the stomach into the duodenum. By stimulating contraction of the pylorus, food outflow from the stomach is slowed or delayed. The presence of a volume of food in the stomach distends the gastric musculature and causes the person to experience satiety.
B. Depression and Anxiety. An association has been made between depression and overeating, particularly with the craving of carbohydrates; and is believed to be an association between the sense of satiety and relief of depression. Stimulation of the gastric tissues, in a manner that resembles or is perceived as satiety, as described above, provides relief from this craving and thereby relief from some depressive symptoms. There are several mechanisms, including those taught above for the treatment of obesity that are applicable to the treatment of depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, social anxiety, panic attacks, and other neurological and psychiatric conditions.
An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of limbic physiology, which has efficacy in the treatment of depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of activity n the locus ceruleus, solitary nucleus, cingulate nucleus, the limbic system, the supraorbital cortex, and other regions may be modulated, thereby influencing affect or mood as well as level of anxiety. Furthermore, the reduction of systemic sympathetic activity may be used to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, which is employed in both the treatment of anxiety and in the conditioning of patients to control anxiety.
C. Epilepsy. The present invention includes electrical stimulation of peripheral nervous system and other structures and tissues to modulate the activity in the central nervous system to control seizure activity.
This modulation takes the form of peripheral nervous system stimulation using a multiplicity of novel techniques and apparatus. Direct stimulation of peripheral nerves is taught; this includes stimulation of the vagus, trigeminal, accessory, and sympathetic nerves. Indiscriminate stimulation of the vagus nerves has been described for some disorders, but the limitations in this technique are substantial, including cardiac rhythm disruptions, speech difficulties, and gastric and duodenal ulcers. The present invention overcomes these persistent limitations by teaching a method and apparatus for the selective stimulation of structures, including the vagus nerve as well as other peripheral nerves, and other neural, neuromuscular, and other tissues.
The present invention further includes noninvasive techniques for neural modulation. This includes the use of tactile stimulation to activate peripheral or cranial nerves. This noninvasive stimulation includes the use of tactile stimulation, including light touch, pressure, vibration, and other modalities that may be used to activate the peripheral or cranial nerves. Temperature stimulation, including hot and cold, as well as constant or variable temperatures, are included in the present invention.
D. Diabetes. The response of the gastrointestinal system, including the pancreas, to a meal includes several phases. The first phase, the anticipatory stage, is neurally mediated. Prior to the actual consumption of a meal, saliva production increases and the gastrointestinal system prepares for the digestion of the food to be ingested. Innervation of the pancreas, in an analogous manner, controls production of insulin.
Modulation of pancreatic production of insulin may be performed by modulation of at least one of afferent or efferent neural structures. Afferent modulation of at least one of the vagus nerve, the sympathetic structures innervating the gastrointestinal tissue, the sympathetic trunk, and the gastrointestinal tissues themselves is used as an input signal to influence central and peripheral nervous system control of insulin secretion.
E. Irritable bowel Syndrome. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of gastrointestinal physiology, which has efficacy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of gastrointestinal motility and absorption may be modulated.
Modulation including down-regulation of the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, through autonomic modulation, as taught in the parent case has application to the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Said autonomic modulation includes but is not limited to inhibition or blocking of sympathetic nervous system activity and to enhancement or stimulation of parasympathetic nervous system activity.
The response of the gastrointestinal system to sympathetic stimulation, such as that induced by stress or sympathomimetic agents including caffeine, may include symptoms such as elevated motility and altered absorption. Modulation of gastrointestinal physiology is taught for applications including but not limited to the maintenance of baseline levels of gastrointestinal motility, secretion, absorption, and hormone release. Modulation of gastrointestinal physiology is also taught for applications including but not limited to the real-time control of levels of gastrointestinal motility, secretion, absorption, and hormone release, in response to physiological needs as well as in response to perturbations. Such external perturbation that can induce symptoms that are alleviated by the present invention include but are not limited to stress, consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or other substance, consumption of allergenic substance, or consumption of infectious or toxic agent. By intervening with the application of autonomic modulation to counter these undesirable autonomic responses to external agents, these side effects are reduced or prevented.
F. Immmunomodulation. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of immune system physiology. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of activity of the immune system may be modulated. Both polarities of modulation have efficacy in the treatment of disease as well as in prophylactic applications.
Modulation, including up-regulation of the immune system, through autonomic modulation, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of infection, cancer, autoimmune immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus) infection (HIV), severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), other causes of immunodeficiency, other causes of immunosuppression, mitigation of effects of iatrogenic immunosupppression (including that used with organ transplantation or for treating autoimmune disorders), and other causes of decreased immune system activity.
Modulation, including down-regulation, of the immune system, through autonomic modulation, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of autoimmune disease, including but not limited to multiple sclerosis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), type I diabetes (the pathophysiology of which may include an autoimmune component), rheumatoid arthritis, graft versus host disease, psoriasis, allergic reactions, dermatitis, other allergic conditions, other diseases involving signs or symptoms due to an autoimmune or other immune pathology, and other diseases with untoward effects arising from excessive or detrimental immune responses.
Modulation, including down-regulation, of the immune system, through autonomic modulation, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of some complications from infection, including but not limited to lyme disease, streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), rheumatic heart disease, fungal infections, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, viral infections, other infections, and other exposures to infectious or allergenic agents.
Modulation, including down-regulation, of the immune system, through autonomic modulation, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the augmentation of other therapies, and may be used to suppress immune function in patients with organ transplantation.
G. Asthma. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of pulmonary physiology. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of activity of the immune system may be modulated. Both polarities of modulation have efficacy in the treatment of disease as well as in prophylactic applications.
Modulation, including stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of asthma, including exercise induced asthma and other forms of asthma. Through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the beta-2 efferent pathways of the sympathetic nervous system are activated, effecting bronchodilation, providing a therapeutic action opposing the bronchoconstrictive process that underlies the increased airway resistance which results in the potentially life-threatening signs and symptoms of this disease. This same therapy is also applied to the treatment of bronchospasm and laryngospasm, in which elevated sympathetic efferent activity mitigates the constrictive effects on the airway.
Modulation, including stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of asthma, including exercise induced asthma through an additional mechanism. Through inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, the activity of the immune system may be down-regulated, reducing the sensitivity of the pulmonary mast cells to allergens, thereby reducing the susceptibility to and the severity of asthma signs and symptoms.
H. Cardiovascular Disease—Cardiac. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of cardiovascular physiology, including cardiac physiology in particular. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), cardiac parameters may be modulated. Both polarities of modulation have efficacy in the treatment of cardiac disease as well as in prophylactic applications.
Modulation, including stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, inhibition of the parasympathetic system, or increase in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of cardiac disease, including hear failure and bradycardia. Through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the beta-1 efferent pathways of the sympathetic nervous system are activated, effecting increase inotropic activity, providing a therapeutic action to mitigate decreased myocardial contractility found in cardiac disease, including congestive heart failure, post myocardial infarction sequelae, and other cardiac disorders. Sympathetic stimulation is also used to effect increased chronotropic behavior, thereby elevating heart rate. This has application to numerous cardiac conditions, including bradycardia and heart block. This has further application to the treatment of hypotension and to neurogenic shock, which may be augmented by autonomic neuromodulation directed toward the vascular system, as described below.
Modulation, including inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of the parasympathetic system, or decrease in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of cardiac disease. The negative inotropic effect of such autonomic modulation has application to cardiac disease, including among others, diastolic disease, in which the heart muscle does not fully relax, thereby impairing proper atrial and ventricular filling during the diastolic portion of the cardiac cycle. This additionally has application to the treatment of hypertension, through each of negative inotropic and negative chronotropic effects. This further has application to the prevention and control of the progression of congestive heart failure, through the reduction of the normal sympathetic physiologic response to heart failure, which itself contributes to progression of the disease. The negative chronotropic effect of such modulation also has application to the treatment of tachycardia and other cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
I. Cardiovascular Disease—Vascular. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of cardiovascular physiology including vascular physiology in particular. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of activity including the muscular tone of the vascular system may be modulated. Both polarities of modulation have efficacy in the treatment of disease as well as in prophylactic applications.
Modulation, including stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system, or increase in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of hypotension and neurogenic shock, and other conditions in which vascular tone or blood pressure is below normal. This further has application to therapeutically increase vascular tone or blood pressure, including to levels above normal, such as in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, ischemic stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or other condition. Through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the alpha-1 efferent pathways of the sympathetic nervous system are activated, effecting vasoconstriction, providing a therapeutic action to correct low blood pressure as well as to provide a normalizing to correct low vascular tone characterizing neurogenic shock as well as to elevate blood pressure to treat the above listed conditions. A particular advantage of this therapy is conveyed by the ability to selectively rather than systemically induce vasoconstriction, thereby elevating systemic blood pressure while avoiding vasoconstriction in selected circulatory regions, as desired in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.
Modulation, including inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, or decrease in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of hypertension, including essential hypertension, renally mediated hypertension, atherosclerosis mediated hypertension, other forms of systemic hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension. Through this therapy, vasodilation is achieved, which is also used to treat coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. This has further use in other therapy in which enhanced circulation is desired, such as for enhanced circulation and drug delivery in the treatment of infections and as an adjuvant to accelerate healing processes, such as ulcers, postoperative wounds, trauma, and other conditions.
J. Headaches. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system for physiologic modulation, including modulation of cerebral vascular physiology, including intraparenchymal circulation and meningeal circulation. By altering the level of sympathetic nervous system activity, or the level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, or the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system activity (as reflected in metrics such as the autonomic index), the level of activity of the cerebral vascular system may be modulated. Both polarities of modulation have efficacy in the treatment of headaches as well as in prophylactic applications.
Modulation, including stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system, or increase in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the treatment of headaches, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, and other headaches. Through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the alpha-1 efferent pathways of the sympathetic nervous system are activated, effecting cerebral vasoconstriction, providing decrease in the blood volume within the intracranial vascular structures as well as the remainder of the intracranial compartment. This acts through additional mechanisms including but not limited to reduction of the mechanical tension on the dura, reduction of the intracranial pressure, and alteration in the blood flow and neural activity within the brain, altering neural and vascular patterns that can progress to generate headaches or other undesirable neural states.
Modulation, including inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, or decrease in the autonomic index, as taught in the parent case invention has application to the prophylaxis and treatment of headaches, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, and other headaches. Through inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system, the activity of alpha-1 efferent pathways of the sympathetic nervous system are reduced, effecting cerebral vasodilation, providing variation in the vascular tone as well as altered blood flow and neural activity, which has application to disrupt neural and vascular patterns that can generate headaches or other undesirable neural states.
K. Smoking Cessation and Drug Withdrawal. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, which has application to stabilize or oppose the physiologic response to the introduction or withdrawal of pharmacological or other bioactive agents, including nicotine, caffeine, stimulants, depressants, and other medical and recreational drugs.
When patients cease smoking, the nicotine plasma levels drop, reducing the level of stimulation of the nicotinic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system. This alteration causes a physiologic response characterized by significant levels of anxiety and a withdrawal response in the person. By modulating the sympathetic nervous system activity using the method and apparatus taught in the parent case or using variants thereof, this response can be mitigated. This has application to controlling addiction to nicotine and in the facilitation of smoking cessation.
When patients cease intake of alcohol, narcotics, sedatives, hypnotics, or other drugs to which they may be addicted, a withdrawal response ensues. This response can be life threatening. In alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens can be accompanied by dangerous elevations in heart rate. By modulating sympathetic and/or parasympathetic activity to control the autonomic index, this response can be reduced or prevented.
L. Hyperhidrosis. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, which has application to prevent or control the symptoms of hyperhidrosis.
In hyperhidrosis, a abnormally active or responsive sympathetic nervous system results is excessive perspiration, typically most problematic when involving the hands and axillae. Current treatments employ surgical ablation of the corresponding region of the sympathetic trunk, which results in irreversible cessation of sympathetic activity in the corresponding anatomical region. By modulating the sympathetic nervous system activity using the method and apparatus taught in the parent case or using variants thereof, the symptoms arising from this condition can be prevented or reduced.
M. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and Pain. An object of the present invention, as taught in the parent case, is the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, which has application to prevent the development or progression of reflex sympathetic dystrophy and to control the symptoms once the condition has developed.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a potentially debilitating condition that typically develops following trauma to a peripheral nerve, in which a crush or transection injury disrupts the afferent pain fibers and the sympathetic efferent fibers. The most widely accepted theory as to the etiology underlying this condition holds that during the healing phase, sympathetic efferent fibers develop connections with the pain carrying afferent fibbers, resulting in the perception of pain in response to sympathetic activity. Current therapy involves pharmacological agents and is largely ineffective, leaving a population of otherwise often healthy people who are debilitated by severe chronic medication refractory pain. By modulating the sympathetic nervous system activity using the method and apparatus taught in the parent case or using variants thereof, the symptoms arising from reflex sympathetic dystrophy can be prevented or reduced.
Inhibition of sympathetic system activity is used to reduce the level of neural activity that is pathologically fed back into pain afferent fibers, thereby reducing symptoms. This therapy may be applied preventatively to modulate sympathetic nervous system activity and minimize the degree of neural connection between the sympathetic efferent neurons and the pain carrying afferent neurons.
N. General—Control and Temporal Modulation. Various forms of temporal modulation may be performed to achieve the desired efficacy in the treatment of these and other diseases, conditions, or augmentation applications. Constant intensity modulation, time varying modulation, cyclical modulation, altering polarity modulation, up-regulation interspersed with down-regulation, intermittent modulation, and other permutations are include in the present invention. The use of a single or multiplicity of these temporal profiles provides resistance of the treatment or enhancement to habituation by the nervous system, thereby preserving or prolonging the effect of the modulation. The use of a multiplicity of modulation sites provides resistance of the treatment or enhancement to habituation by the nervous system, thereby preserving or prolonging the effect of the modulation; by distributing or varying the intensity of the neuromodulation among a plurality of sites enables the delivery of therapy or augmentation that is more resistant to adaptation or habituation by the nervous system. Furthermore, the control of neural state, including level of sympathetic nervous system activity, level of parasympathetic nervous system activity, autonomic index, or other characteristic or metric of neural function in either or both of an open-loop or closed-loop manner is taught herein. The use of open-loop or closed-loop control to maintain at least one neural state at a constant or time varying target level is used to better control physiology, reduce habituation, reduce side effects, apportion side effect to preferable time windows such as while sleeping), and optimize response to therapy.
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual reference, publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The present invention encompasses a multimodality technique, method, and apparatus for the treatment of several diseases, including but not limited to obesity, eating disorders, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes.
These modalities may be used for diagnostic and therapeutic uses, and these modalities include but are not limited to stimulation of gastric tissue, stimulation of gastric musculature, stimulation of gastric neural tissue, stimulation of sympathetic nervous tissue, stimulation of parasympathetic nervous tissue, stimulation of peripheral nervous tissue, stimulation of central nervous tissue, stimulation of cranial nervous tissue, stimulation of skin receptors, including Pacinian corpuscles, nociceptors, golgi tendons, and other sensory tissues in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and joints.
Stimulation may be accomplished by electrical means, optical means, electromagnetic means, radiofrequency means, electrostatic means, magnetic means, vibrotactile means, pressure means, pharmacologic means, chemical means, electrolytic concentration means, thermal means, or other means for altering tissue activity.
Already encompassed in the above description are several specific applications of this broad technology. These specific applications include electrical stimulation of gastric tissue, including at least one of muscle and neural, for the control of appetite and satiety, and for the treatment of obesity. Additional specific uses include electrical stimulation of gastric tissue for the treatment of depression. Further uses include electrical stimulation of pancreatic tissue for the treatment of diabetes.
A. Satiety Modulation.
A1. Sympathetic Afferent Stimulation. Selected stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system is an objective of the present invention. A variety of modulator designs and configurations are included in the present invention and other designs and configurations may be apparent to those skilled in the art and these are also included in the present invention. Said modulator may take the form of electrode or electrical source, optical source, electromagnetic source, radiofrequency source, electrostatic source, magnetic source, vibrotactile source, pressure source, pharmacologic source, chemical source, electrolyte source, thermal source, or other energy or stimulus source.
One objective of the modulator design for selective sympathetic nervous system stimulation is the avoidance of stimulation of the vagus nerve. Stimulation of the vagus nerve poses the risk enhanced propensity for development of gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Other techniques in which electrical stimulation has been used for the treatment of obesity have included stimulation of central nervous system structures or peripheral nervous system structures. Other techniques have used sequential stimulation of the gastric tissue to interrupt peristalsis; however, this broad stimulation of gastric tissue necessarily overlaps regions heavily innervated by the vagus nerve and consequently poses the same risks of gastric and duodenal ulcers that stimulation of the vagus nerve does.
One objective of the present invention is the selective stimulation of said afferent neural fibers that innervate gastric tissue. Avoidance of vagus nerve stimulation is an object of this modulator configuration. Other alternative approaches to gastric pacing involving gastric muscle stimulation secondarily cause stimulation of the vagus nerve as well as stimulation of gastric tissues in acid-secreting regions, consequently posing the undesirable side effects of gastric and duodenal ulcers secondary to activation of gastric acid stimulation.
There are a number of approaches to selective stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. This invention includes stimulation of the sympathetic fibers at sites including the zones of innervation of the stomach, the gastric innervation zones excluding those innervated by vagus branches, the distal sympathetic branches proximal to the stomach, the sympathetic trunk, the intermediolateral nucleus, the locus ceruleus, the hypothalamus, and other structures comprising or influencing sympathetic afferent activity.
Stimulation of the sympathetic afferent fibers elicits the perception of satiety, and achievement of chronic, safe, and efficacious modulation of sympathetic afferents is one of the major objectives of the present invention.
Alternating and augmenting stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and vagus nerve is included in the present invention. By alternating stimulation of the vagus nerve and the sympathetic afferent fibers, one may induce the sensation of satiety in the implanted patient while minimizing the potential risk for gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Since vagus and sympathetic afferent fibers carry information that is related to gastric distention, a major objective of the present invention is the optimization stimulation of the biggest fibers, the afferent sympathetic nervous system fibers, and other afferent pathways such that a maximal sensation of satiety is perceived in the implanted individual and such that habituation of this sensation of satiety is minimized. This optimization is performed in any combination of matters including temporal patterning of the individual signals to each neural pathway, including but not limited to the vagus nerve and sympathetic afferents, as well as temporal patterning between a multiplicity of stimulation channels involving the same were neural pathways. The present invention teaches a multiplicity of apparatus and method for stimulation of afferent sympathetic fibers, as detailed below. Other techniques and apparatus may become apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the present invention.
A1a. Sympathetic Afferents—Gastric Region.
Implantable pulse generator 1 is shown with modulator 2 and modulator 3 in contact with the corresponding portion of stomach 8 in the respective figures, detailed below. Implantable pulse generator further comprises attachment fixture 4 and attachment fixture 5. Additional or fewer attachment fixtures may be included without departing from the present invention. Attachment means 6 and attachment means 7 are used to secure attachment fixture 4 and attachment fixture 5, respectively to appropriate portion of stomach 8. Attachment means 6 and attachment means 7 may be comprised from surgical suture material, surgical staples, adhesives, or other means without departing from the present invention.
Modulator 2 and modulator 3 are used to stimulate at least one of gastric longitudinal muscle layer, gastric circular muscle layer, gastric nervous tissue, or other tissue. Modulator 2 and modulator 3 may be fabricated from nonpenetrating material or from penetrating material, including needle tips, arrays of needle tips, wires, conductive sutures, other conductive material, or other material, without departing from the present invention.
A1b. Sympathetic Afferents—Sympathetic Trunk. The present invention teaches apparatus and method for stimulation of sympathetic afferent fibers using stimulation in the region of the sympathetic trunk. As shown in
A1c. Sympathetic Afferents—Other. The present invention teaches apparatus and method for stimulation of sympathetic afferent fibers using stimulation of nerves arising from the sympathetic trunk. As shown in
A2. Gastric Musculature Stimulation. A further object of the present invention is the stimulation of the gastric musculature. This may be performed using either or both of closed loop and open loop control. In the present embodiment, a combination of open and closed loop control is employed. The open loop control provides a baseline level of gastric stimulation. This stimulation maintains tone of the gastric musculature. This increases the wall tension the stomach and plays a role in the perception of satiety in the implanted patient. Additionally, stimulation of the gastric musculature causes contraction of the structures, thereby reducing the volume of the stomach. This gastric muscle contraction, and the consequent reduction of stomach volume effectively restricts the amount of food that may be ingested. Surgical techniques have been developed and are known to those practicing in the field of surgical treatment of obesity. Several of these procedures are of the restrictive type, but because of their surgical nature they are fixed in magnitude and difficult if not impossible to reverse. The present invention teaches a technique which employs neural modulation and gastric muscle stimulation which by its nature is the variable and reversible. This offers the advantages postoperative adjustment of magnitude, fine tuning for the individual patient, varying of magnitude to suit the patient's changing needs and changing anatomy over time, and the potential for reversal or termination of treatment. Furthermore, since the gastric wall tension is generated in a physiological manner by the muscle itself, it does not have the substantial risk of gastric wall necrosis and rupture inherent in externally applied pressure, as is the case with gastric banding.
This muscle stimulation and contraction accomplishes several objectives: (1) functional reduction in stomach volume, (2) increase in stomach wall tension, (3) reduction in rate of food bolus flow. All of these effects are performed to induce the sensation of satiety.
A3. Gastric Pylorus Stimulation.
A4. Parasympathetic Stimulation. The parasympathetic nervous system is complementary to the sympathetic nervous system and plays a substantial role in controlling digestion and cardiac activity. Several routes are described in the present invention to modulate activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.
A4a. Parasympathetic Stimulation—Vagus Nerve. Others have advocated the use of vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of a number of disorders including obesity. Zabara and others have described systems in which the vagus nerve in the region of the neck is stimulated. This is plagued with a host of problems, including life-threatening cardiac complications as well as difficulties with speech and discomfort during stimulation. The present invention is a substantial advance over that discussed by Zabara et al, in which unrestricted fiber activation using epineural stimulation is described. That technique results in indiscriminate stimulation of efferent and afferent fibers. With vagus nerve stimulation, efferent fiber activation generates many undesirable side effects, including gastric and duodenal ulcers, cardiac disturbances, and others.
In the present invention, as depicted in
A.4.a.i. Innovative Stimulation Anatomy.
A.4.a.ii. Innovative Stimulation Device. The present invention further includes devices designed specifically for the stimulation of afferent fibers.
The present invention further includes stimulation of other tissues that influence vagus nerve activity. These include tissues of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, kidney, mesentery, appendix, bladder, uterus, and other intraabdominal tissues. Stimulation of one or a multiplicity of these tissues modulates activity of the vagus nerve afferent fibers without significantly altering activity of efferent fibers. This method and the associated apparatus facilitates the stimulation of vagus nerve afferent fibers without activating vagus nerve efferent fibers, thereby overcoming the ulcerogenic and cardiac side effects of nonselective vagus nerve stimulation. This represents a major advance in vagus nerve modulation and overcomes the potentially life-threatening complications of nonselective stimulation of the vagus nerve.
A4b. Parasympathetic Stimulation—Other. The present invention teaches stimulation of the cervical nerves or their roots or branches for modulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Additionally, the present invention teaches stimulation of the sacral nerves or their roots or branches for modulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
A5. Multichannel Satiety Modulation.
Using the apparatus depicted in
In addition to the apparatus and methods depicted in
B. Metabolic Modulation
B.1. Sympathetic Efferent Stimulation. One objective of the modulator configuration employed in the present invention is the selected stimulation of sympathetic efferent nerve fibers. The present invention includes a multiplicity of potential modulator configurations and combinations of thereof. The present embodiment includes modulators placed at a combination of sites to interface with the sympathetic efferent fibers. These sites include the musculature of the stomach, the distal sympathetic branches penetrating into the stomach, postganglionic axons and cell bodies, preganglionic axons and cell bodies, the sympathetic chain and portions thereof, the intermediolateral nucleus, the locus ceruleus, the hypothalamus, and other structures comprising or influencing activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Stimulation of the sympathetic efferents is performed to elevate the metabolic rate and lipolysis in the adipose tissue, thereby enhancing breakdown of fat and weight loss in the patient.
B.1.a. Sympathetic Efferent Stimulation Sympathetic Trunk.
Right sympathetic trunk 71 and left sympathetic trunk are lateral to mediastinum 82. Right greater splanchnic nerve 73 and right lesser splanchnic nerve 75 arise from right sympathetic trunk 71. Left greater splanchnic nerve 74 and left lesser splanchnic nerve 76 arise from left sympathetic trunk 72. Right subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 78, left subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 79, right subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 80, and left subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 81 are extensions below the diaphragm 77 of the right greater splanchnic nerve 73, left greater splanchnic nerve 74, right lesser splanchnic nerve 75, and left lesser splanchnic nerve 76, respectively.
B.1.b. Sympathetic Efferent Stimulation—Splanchnics.
Thoracic splanchnic nerve interface 87, 88, 89, 90 are implanted adjacent to and in communication with the right greater splanchnic nerve 73, left greater splanchnic nerve 74, right lesser splanchnic nerve 75, and left lesser splanchnic nerve 76, arise, respectively. Abdominal splanchnic nerve interface 91, 92, 93, and 94 are implanted adjacent to and in communication with the right subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 78, left subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 79, right subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 80, and left subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 81, respectively.
Stimulation of at least one of right sympathetic trunk 71, left sympathetic trunk 72, right greater splanchnic nerve 73, left greater splanchnic nerve 74, right lesser splanchnic nerve 75, and left lesser splanchnic nerve 76, right subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 78, left subdiaphragmatic greater splanchnic nerve 79, right subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 80, and left subdiaphragmatic lesser splanchnic nerve 81 enhances metabolism of adipose tissue. Stimulation of these structures may be performed using at least one of electrical energy, electrical fields, optical energy, mechanical energy, magnetic energy, chemical compounds, pharmacological compounds, thermal energy, vibratory energy, or other means for modulating neural activity.
B.1.c. Sympathetic Efferent Stimulation—Spinal Cord.
Stimulation, inhibition, or other modulation of the spinal cord 151 is used to modulate fibers of the sympathetic nervous system, including those in the intermediolateral nucleus 121 and efferent and efferent fibers connected to the intermediolateral nucleus 121. Modulation of at least one of portions of the spinal cord 151, intermediolateral nucleus 121, ventral spinal root 124, dorsal spinal root 125, spinal ganglion 126, spinal nerve 127, gray ramus communicantes 130, white ramus communicantes 131 and other structures facilitates modulation of activity of the sympathetic trunk 132. Modulation of activity of the sympathetic trunk 132, in turn, is used to modulate at least one of metabolic activity, satiety, and appetite. This may be achieved using intermediolateral nucleus neuromodulatory interface 152, placed in or adjacent to the intermediolateral nucleus 121. The less invasive design employing neuromodulatory interfaces (144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150) shown positioned in the in epidural space 137 is taught in the present invention.
B.1.d. Sympathetic Efferent Stimulation—Other. The present invention further includes modulation of all sympathetic efferent nerves, nerve fibers, and neural structures. These sympathetic efferent neural structures include but are not limited to distal sympathetic nerve branches, mesenteric nerves, sympathetic efferent fibers at all spinal levels, rami communicantes at all spinal levels, paravertebral nuclei, prevertebral nuclei, and other sympathetic structures.
B.2. Noninvasive Stimulation. The present invention teaches a device for metabolic control using tactile stimulation. Tactile stimulation of afferent neurons causes alterations in activity of sympathetic neurons which influence metabolic activity of adipose tissue. The present invention teaches tactile stimulation of skin, dermal and epidermal sensory structures, subcutaneous tissues and structures, and deeper tissues to modulate activity of afferent neurons.
This device for metabolic control employs vibratory actuators. Alternatively, electrical stimulation, mechanical stimulation, optical stimulation, acoustic stimulation, pressure stimulation, and other forms of energy that modulate afferent neural activity, are used.
C. Multimodal Metabolic Modulation. To maximize efficacy while tailoring treatment to minimize side effects, the preferred embodiment includes a multiplicity of treatment modalities, including afferent, efferent, and neuromuscular modulation.
Afferent signals are generated to simulate satiety. This is accomplished through neural, neuromuscular, and hydrostatic mechanisms. Electrical stimulation of the vagus via vagus nerve interface 45 afferents provides one such channel to transmit information to the central nervous system for the purpose of eliciting satiety. Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic afferents via sympathetic nerve interface 46 provides another such channel to transmit information to the central nervous system for the purpose of eliciting satiety. Electrical stimulation of gastric circular muscle layerin
In
In
E. System/Pulse Generator Design. Neuromodulatory interfaces that use electrical energy to modulate neural activity may deliver a broad spectrum of electrical waveforms. One preferred set of neural stimulation parameter sets includes pulse frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hertz to 1000 Hertz, pulse widths from 1 microsecond to 500 milliseconds. Pulses are charge balanced to insure no net direct current charge delivery. The preferred waveform is bipolar pulse pair, with an interpulse interval of 1 microsecond to 1000 milliseconds. Current regulated stimulation is preferred and includes pulse current amplitudes ranging from 1 microamp to 1000 milliamps. Alternatively, voltage regulation may be used, and pulse voltage amplitudes ranging from 1 microamp to 1000 milliamps. These parameters are provided as exemplary of some of the ranges included in the present invention; variations from these parameter sets are included in the present invention.
In
It is obvious to the reader that modulation of the right greater splanchnic nerve 73, the performance of which is exemplified by Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 91, will in turn effect modulation of connected structures, including proximal and distal portions of Right Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 78. Proximal or retrograde conduction of neural signals will effect modulation of Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve 73 and more proximal structures. Distal or anterograde conduction of neural signals will effect modulation of distal structures including but not limited to celiac plexus 154, celiac ganglion 155, superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, iliac plexus 161, and other structures connected by neural pathways.
It is obvious to the reader that modulation of the left greater splanchnic nerve 74, the performance of which is exemplified by Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 92, will in turn effect modulation of connected structures, including proximal and distal portions of Left Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 79. Proximal or retrograde conduction of neural signals will effect modulation of Left Greater Splanchnic Nerve 74 and more proximal structures. Distal or anterograde conduction of neural signals will effect modulation of distal structures including but not limited to celiac plexus 154, celiac ganglion 155, superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, iliac plexus 161, and other structures connected by neural pathways.
Pulse generator 101 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 168 to abdominal splanchnic neuromodulatory interface 166, which modulates at least one of celiac plexus 154 and celiac ganglion 155. Implantable Pulse generator 102 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 169 to abdominal splanchnic neuromodulatory interface 167, which modulates at least one of celiac plexus 154 and celiac ganglion 155.
Pulse generator 101 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 172 to abdominal splanchnic neuromodulatory interface 170, which modulates at least one of superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, and iliac plexus 161. Pulse generator 102 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 173 to abdominal splanchnic neuromodulatory interface 171, which modulates at least one of superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, and iliac plexus 161.
Pulse generator 101 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 176 to neuromodulator array 174, which modulates at least one of celiac plexus 154, celiac ganglion 155, superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, and iliac plexus 161.
Pulse generator 102 generates neuromodulatory signal which is transmitted by connecting cable 177 to neuromodulator array 175, which modulates at least one of celiac plexus 154, celiac ganglion 155, superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, and iliac plexus 161.
Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 178 modulate at least one of sympathetic trunk, 132, Right Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 162, and Right Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 164. Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 179 modulates at least one of sympathetic trunk, 132, Left Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 163, and Left Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 165
Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 180 modulates at least one neural structure in neural connection to sympathetic trunk 132, including but not limited to right greater splanchnic nerve 73, right lesser splanchnic nerve 75, right least splanchnic nerve, or other structure. Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 181 modulates at least one neural structure in neural connection to sympathetic trunk 132, including but not limited to left greater splanchnic nerve 74, left lesser splanchnic nerve 76, left least splanchnic nerve, or other structure.
Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 182, Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 183, Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 184, Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 185, and Abdominal Splanchnic Neuromodulatory Interface 186 each modulate abdominal structures including but not limited to celiac plexus 154, celiac ganglion 155, superior mesenteric plexus 156, superior mesenteric ganglion 157, renal plexus 158, renal ganglion 159, inferior mesenteric plexus 160, and iliac plexus 161.
Modulation is performed to modulate metabolic rate, satiety, blood pressure, heart rate, peristalsis, insulin release, CCK release, and other gastrointestinal functions. Modulation using the system and method taught, as well as equivalent modifications and variations thereof, allows the treatment of disease including obesity, bulimia, anorexia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, hypotension, shock, gastroparesis, and other disorders. Modulation includes at least one of stimulatory and inhibitory effect on neural structures.
Implantable pulse generator 99 is connected via connecting cable 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, and 235 to Right Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 193, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 195, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 197, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 199, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 201, and Right Vagal Neuromodulator Array 233, respectively.
Implantable pulse generator 100 is connected via connecting cable 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, and 236 to Left Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 194, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 196, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 198, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 200, and Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 202, and Left Vagal Neuromodulator Array 234, respectively.
Implantable pulse generator 101 is connected via connecting cable 223, 225, 227, 229, and 231 to Right Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 203, Right Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 205, Right Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 207, Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 209, and Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 211, respectively
Implantable pulse generator 102 is connected via connecting cable 224, 226, 228, 230, and 232 to Left Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 204, Left Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 206, Left Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 208, Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 210, and Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 212, respectively
Right Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 193 modulates neural activity in Right Cervical Plexus 237. Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 195, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 197, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 199, and Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 201 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Right Sympathetic Trunk 71, Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve 73, and Right Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 75. Right Vagal Neuromodulator Array 233 modulates neural activity in Right Vagus Nerve 95.
Left Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 194 modulates neural activity in Left Cervical Plexus 238. Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 196, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 198, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 200, and Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 202 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Left Sympathetic Trunk 72, Left Greater Splanchnic Nerve 74, and Left Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 76. Left Vagal Neuromodulator Array 234 modulates neural activity in Left Vagus Nerve 96.
Right Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 203 modulates at least one of Celiac Plexus 154, Celiac Ganglion 155, Superior Mesenteric Plexus 156, Superior Mesenteric Ganglion 157, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, Inferior Mesenteric Plexus 160, and Iliac Plexus 161. Right Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 205 modulates Right Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 78. Right Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 207 modulates Right Subdiaphragmatic Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 80. Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 209 and Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 211 each modulate at least one of Right Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 162, Right Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 164, and Right Sympathetic Trunk 71.
Left Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 204 modulates at least one of Celiac Plexus 154, Celiac Ganglion 155, Superior Mesenteric Plexus 156, Superior Mesenteric Ganglion 157, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, Inferior Mesenteric Plexus 160, and Iliac Plexus 161. Left Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 206 modulates Left Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 79. Left Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 208 modulates Left Subdiaphragmatic Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 81. Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 210 and Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 212 each modulate at least one of Left Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 163, Left Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 165, and Left Sympathetic Trunk 72.
Elements comprising neuromodulators and neuromodulator arrays provide at least one of activating or inhibiting influence on neural activity of respective neurological target structures. Additional or fewer connecting cables and neuromodulator arrays may be employed without departing from the present invention.
These connections provided by connecting cables may facilitate communication and/or power transmission via electrical energy, ultrasound energy, optical energy, radiofrequency energy, electromagnetic energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, chemical agent, pharmacological agent, or other signal or power means without departing from the parent or present invention.
Neuromodulator and neuromodulatory interface may be used interchangeably in this specification. Neuromodulator is a subset of modulator and modulates neural tissue.
External Transmitting and Receiving Unit 239 comprises modules including Controller 240, Memory 241, Bidirectional Transceiver 242, and User Interface 243. Additional or fewer modules may be included without departing from the present invention.
Neuromodulatory interfaces include an energy storage element, such as capacitor, battery, or inductor, for storage of power for delivery to at least one of tissue and on board electronic components.
External Transmitting and Receiving Unit 239 comprises modules including Controller 240, Memory 241, Bidirectional Transceiver 242, and User Interface 243. Additional or fewer modules and additional or fewer neuromodulatory interfaces may be included without departing from the present invention.
In addition to the thoracic anatomical structures shown on
In addition to the abdominal anatomical structures shown on
The activity of these structures are modulated by corresponding neuromodulatory interfaces. Any of the previously described neuromodulatory interfaces in the parent case and the present case may be positioned to modulate these neural structures. Additional or alternate designs for neuromodulatory interfaces may be employed without departing from the present or parent invention.
Implantable pulse generator 99 is connected via connecting cable 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 235, 258, 260, and 268 to Right Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 193, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 195, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 197, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 199, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 201, and Right Vagal Neuromodulator Array 233, Right Superficial Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 250, Right Deep Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 252, Right Anterior Pulmonary Nerve Neuromodulator Array 266, respectively.
Implantable pulse generator 100 is connected via connecting cable 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 236, 259, 261, and 269 to Left Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 194, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 196, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 198, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 200, and Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 202, and Left Vagal Neuromodulator Array 234, Left Superficial Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 251, Left Deep Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 253, Left Anterior Pulmonary Nerve Neuromodulator Array 267, respectively.
Implantable pulse generator 101 is connected via connecting cable 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 262, and 264 to Right Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 203, Right Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 205, Right Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 207, Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 209, and Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 211, Right Renal Plexus Neuromodulator Array 254, and Right Renal Nerve Branch Neuromodulator Array 256, respectively.
Implantable pulse generator 102 is connected via connecting cable 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 263, and 265 to Left Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 204, Left Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 206, Left Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 208, Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 210, and Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 212, Left Renal Plexus Neuromodulator Array 255, and Left Renal Nerve Branch Neuromodulator Array 257, respectively
Right Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 193 modulates neural activity in Right Cervical Plexus 237. Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 195, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 197, Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 199, and Right Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 201 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Right Sympathetic Trunk 71, Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve 73, and Right Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 75. Right Vagal Neuromodulator Array 233 modulates neural activity in Right Vagus Nerve 95.
Right Superficial Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 250 modulates neural activity in at least one of Superficial Cardiac Plexus 244 and other structures. Right Deep Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 252 modulates neural activity in at least one of Deep Cardiac Plexus 245 and other structures. Right Anterior Pulmonary Nerve Neuromodulator Array 266 modulates neural activity in at least one of Right Anterior Pulmonary Nerve 246 and other structures.
Left Cervical Plexus Neuromodulator Array 194 modulates neural activity in Left Cervical Plexus 238. Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 196, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 198, Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 200, and Left Intercostal Neuromodulator Array 202 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Left Sympathetic Trunk 72, Left Greater Splanchnic Nerve 74, and Left Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 76. Left Vagal Neuromodulator Array 234 modulates neural activity in Left Vagus Nerve 96.
Left Superficial Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 251 modulates neural activity in at least one of Superficial Cardiac Plexus 244 and other structures. Left Deep Cardiac Plexus Neuromodulator Array 253 modulates neural activity in at least one of Deep Cardiac Plexus 245 and other structures. Left Anterior Pulmonary Nerve Neuromodulator Array 267 modulates neural activity in at least one of Left Anterior Pulmonary Nerve 247 and other structures.
Right Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 203 modulates neural activity in at least one of Celiac Plexus 154, Celiac Ganglion 155, Superior Mesenteric Plexus 156, Superior Mesenteric Ganglion 157, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, Inferior Mesenteric Plexus 160, and Iliac Plexus 161. Right Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 205 modulates neural activity in Right Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 78. Right Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 207 modulates neural activity in Right Subdiaphragmatic Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 80. Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 209 and Right Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 211 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Right Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 162, Right Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 164, and Right Sympathetic Trunk 71.
Right Renal Plexus Neuromodulator Array 254 modulates neural activity in at least one of Right Renal Nerve Branch 248, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, and other structures. Right Renal Nerve Branch Neuromodulator Array 256 modulates neural activity in at least one of Right Renal Nerve Branch 248, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, and other structures.
Left Abdominal Para Plexus Neuromodulator Array 204 modulates neural activity in at least one of Celiac Plexus 154, Celiac Ganglion 155, Superior Mesenteric Plexus 156, Superior Mesenteric Ganglion 157, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, Inferior Mesenteric Plexus 160, and Iliac Plexus 161. Left Abdominal Greater Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 206 modulates neural activity in Left Subdiaphragmatic Greater Splanchnic Nerve 79. Left Abdominal Lesser Splanchnic Neuromodulator Array 208 modulates neural activity in Left Subdiaphragmatic Lesser Splanchnic Nerve 81. Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 210 and Left Abdominal Sympathetic Trunk Neuromodulator Array 212 each modulate neural activity in at least one of Left Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglia 163, Left Sacral Sympathetic Ganglia 165, and Left Sympathetic Trunk 72.
Left Renal Plexus Neuromodulator Array 255 modulates neural activity in at least one of Left Renal Nerve Branch 249, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, and other structures. Left Renal Nerve Branch Neuromodulator Array 257 modulates neural activity in at least one of Left Renal Nerve Branch 249, Renal Plexus 158, Renal Ganglion 159, and other structures.
Elements comprising neuromodulators and neuromodulator arrays provide at least one of activating or inhibiting influence on neural activity of respective neurological target structures. Additional or fewer connecting cables and neuromodulator arrays may be employed without departing from the present invention.
These connections provided by connecting cables may facilitate communication and/or power transmission via electrical energy, ultrasound energy, optical energy, radiofrequency energy, electromagnetic energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, chemical agent, pharmacological agent, or other signal or power means without departing from the parent or present invention.
Neuromodulators and neuromodulatory interfaces may be used interchangeably in this specification.
Care is taken to avoid perforating visceral pleura 283. Skin incision is made at entry point 285 through the majority of the thickness of skin 280 close to parietal pleura 282 to assist in minimizing the amount of force required to enter pleural space 286, thereby minimizing the velocity and acceleration of catheter insertion trocar bulb tip 275 during this procedure and reducing the risk of perforation of visceral pleura 283. A novelty of the present invention, shown in
Catheter insertion retriever 271 is inserted through an incision in skin 280 at the site of exit point 287. Surgeon or assistant grasps catheter insertion retriever handle 277, and with catheter insertion retriever shaft 286 penetrating skin 280, positions catheter insertion retriever grasper 279 to grasp catheter insertion trocar bulb tip 275 and to pull or guide attached catheter 272 through incision in skin 280 at exit point 287.
As shown in
In both
Neuromodulatory interface array catheter 284 comprises a connector contact array 300 located near connector end 289, a neuromodulatory interface array 301 located near neuromodulatory interface end 290, and catheter body 291, which provides mechanical connection and signal transmission between connector contact array 300 and neuromodulatory interface array 301. Said signal transmission may be in the form of electrical fields or energy, electrical voltage, electrical current, optical energy, magnetic fields or energy, electromagnetic fields or energy, mechanical force or energy, vibratory force or energy, chemical agent or activation, pharmacological agent or activation, or other signal transmission means.
Neuromodulatory interface array 301 is comprised of at least one of neuromodulatory interface 296, 297, 298, and 299. Additional or fewer numbers of neuromodulatory interface may comprise neuromodulatory interface array 301 without departing from the present invention. Neuromodulator interface 296, 297, 298, 299 modulate activity of neural structures using at least one of electrical fields or energy, electrical voltage, electrical current, optical energy, magnetic fields or energy, electromagnetic fields or energy, mechanical force or energy, vibratory force or energy, chemical agent or activation, pharmacological agent or activation, or other neural modulation means.
Connector contact array 300 is comprised of at least one of connector element 292, 293, 294, and 295. Additional or fewer numbers of connector element may comprise connector contact array 300 without departing from the present invention.
Tracings showing the level of sympathetic stimulation 305 and sympathetic inhibition 306 are shown. During the time window in which sympathetic stimulation 305 is active, the sympathetic index 303 is seen to be increased and the autonomic index 302 is increased. During the time window in which sympathetic inhibition 306 is active, the sympathetic index 303 is seen to be decreased and the autonomic index 302 is decreased.
Tracings showing the level of parasympathetic stimulation 307 and parasympathetic inhibition 308 are shown. During the time window in which parasympathetic stimulation 307 is active, the parasympathetic index 304 is seen to be increased and the autonomic index 302 is decreased. During the time window in which parasympathetic inhibition 308 is active, the parasympathetic index 304 is seen to be decreased and the autonomic index 302 is increased.
Sympathetic and parasympathetic inhibition is accomplished by blockage of neural fibers. This is be performed using high frequency stimulation, with a best mode involving biphasic charge balanced waveforms delivered at frequencies over 100 Hz, though significantly higher as well as lower frequencies may be employed without departing form the present invention.
This application is a division of and incorporates by reference copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/317,099 (GISTIM 02.02), entitled “Method, Apparatus, And Surgical Technique For Autonomic Neuromodulation For The Treatment Of Obesity”, filed on Dec. 22, 2005. In response to restriction requirement dated Nov. 24, 2008, this divisional comprises claims in species II, drawn to an apparatus for modulating the autonomic index. Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/317,099 (GISTIM 02.02) is a continuation in Part of and incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/198,871 (GISTIM 01.01), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,599,736, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NEUROMODULATION AND PHSYIOLOGIC MODULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF METABOLIC AND NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE, filed Jul. 19, 2002, and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/307,124, entitled PHYSIOLOGIC MODULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF OBESITY, DEPRESSION, EPILEPSY, AND DIABETES, filed Jul. 19, 2001, and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo. Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/317,099 (GISTIM 02.02) is a continuation in Part of and incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,549 (GISTIM 01.02), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,529,582, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NEUROMODULATION AND PHSYIOLOGIC MODULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF METABOLIC AND NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE, filed Jun. 21, 2004, and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,549 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/198,871, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/307,124, entitled PHYSIOLOGIC MODULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF OBESITY, DEPRESSION, EPILEPSY, AND DIABETES, filed Jul. 19, 2001, and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo, all of which are incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,549 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/500,911, filed Sep. 5, 2003 and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo, all of which are incorporated by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/872,549 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/579,074, filed Jun. 10, 2004 and naming as inventor Daniel John DiLorenzo, all of which are incorporated by reference. This application incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/187,315, entitled CLOSED-LOOP AUTONOMIC NEUROMODULATION FOR OPTIMAL CONTROL OF NEUROLOGICAL AND METABOLIC DISEASE, filed Jul. 23, 2005. This application incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/333,979, entitled CLOSED-LOOP FEEDBACK-DRIVEN SYMPATHETIC NEUROMODULATION FOR AFFECT CONTROL, filed Jan. 17, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60307124 | Jul 2001 | US | |
| 60500911 | Sep 2003 | US | |
| 60579074 | Jun 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11317099 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Child | 12794797 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10198871 | Jul 2002 | US |
| Child | 10872549 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10198871 | Jul 2002 | US |
| Child | 11317099 | US | |
| Parent | 10872549 | Jun 2004 | US |
| Child | 11317099 | US |
