Patent ID: 7489969
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for treating obesity of an obese patient by applying a neural treatment comprising: applying an electrode to a vagus nerve of the obese patient at a site below a vagal innervation of a heart of the patient to deliver an electrical signal and with the electrical signal applied by a device with a component chronically implanted within the patient's body; and applying the electrical signal to the vagus nerve intermittently multiple times in a day and over multiple days, wherein the electrical signal is selected to a) at least partially block at least an afferent neural activity on the vagus nerve without ablating the vagus nerve of the obese patient; b) allow at least partial restoration of nerve activity following discontinuation of application of the signal to the nerve; and c) reduce pancreo-biliary output; wherein the electrical signal is not applied in response to a sensed event.