Patent ID: 7844338
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for treating obesity comprising: positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve of an obese patient at a location below a vagal innervation of the heart, with the vagus nerve innervating at least one alimentary tract organ; treating the patient's obesity by applying an electrical treatment signal to the electrode with the electrical treatment signal having: a) a frequency selected for said signal to at least partially downregulate nerve impulses on said vagus nerve, wherein said signal has a frequency in excess of 200 Hz; b) a plurality of on-times separated by a plurality of off-times, said signal applied during said on-times and not applied during said off-times, wherein a duration of the off-times is selected to allow at least partial recovery of the activity of said vagus nerve, and wherein the on and off times of the electrical signal treatment reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output of the obese patient; and wherein the electrical signal treatment is applied without simultaneously applying a neural impulse-inducing secondary electrical signal to the vagus nerve on a proximal side of said location.