Patent ID: 7239912

Claim:
A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising: providing a pulse generator that emits electrical pulses in a programmable stimulation pattern; wherein the stimulation pattern is programmable to achieve weight loss in the patient from electrical activation of a splanchnic nerve of the patient; and wherein the stimulation pattern is further programmable to keep the patient's blood pressure within safe limits during the electrical activation of the splanchnic nerve; electrically activating the splanchnic nerve of the patient with said pulse generator using said stimulation pattern so as to achieve weight loss and keep the patient's blood pressure within safe limits; wherein the splanchnic nerve is selected from the group consisting of the greater splanchnic nerve, the lesser splanchnic nerve, and the least splanchnic nerve; and programming said stimulation pattern so as to achieve weight loss in the patient and so as to keep the patient's blood pressure within safe limits during electrical activation of the splanchnic nerve.