Systems and methods for peripheral nervous stimulation for metabolic and endocrine function

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017239484-A1
Application number	US-201715438976-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 22, 2017
Priority date	Feb 23, 2016
Publication date	Aug 24, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for neuro stimulation. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes a stimulator introduced into tissue at a target location and a central controller that communicates wirelessly with the stimulator. The stimulator includes a power system that receives wireless energy transmission, and an electrode system that transmits an electrical pulse for stimulating the target location. The central controller includes a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the stimulator, a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the stimulator, and a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system. The central controller may instruct the stimulator to transmit one or more electrical pulses to the target location to affect an endocrine function (e.g., affect the glucose level of a patient).

First claim

1 . A system for neuro stimulation, comprising:
a micro particle comprising:
a power system that receives wireless energy transmission; and
an electrode system that transmits an electrical pulse for stimulating the target location;
and
a central controller comprising:
a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the micro particle;
a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the micro particle; and
a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system;
the central controller instructing the micro particle to transmit one or more electrical pulses to the target location to affect an endocrine function of a patient.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of micro particles at one or more target locations.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the electrode system includes an electrode that stimulates and senses electrical pulses at each target location.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the micro particle wirelessly transmits informational signals to the central controller indicative of the electrical pulses sensed at the target location.

5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the central controller executes a stimulation protocol that stimulates the one or more target locations and senses electrical pulses at the one or more target locations.

6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of micro particles are uniquely addressable to enable the central controller to communicate with each micro particle individually.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the target location is a sympathetic or parasympathetic neuronal pathway connected to one of the pancreas, the liver, and/or the small intestine.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the target location is the celiac ganglion.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the endocrine function is a glucose level of the patient; and the system further comprises a glucose sensor that measures the glucose level of the patient as a feedback datum.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the glucose sensor continuously measures the glucose level of the patient.

11 . A system for neuro stimulation, comprising:
a stimulator implanted at a target location, the stimulator comprising:
a power system that receives wireless energy transmission; and
at least one microelectrode system that transmits an electrical pulse for stimulating the target location;
and
a central controller comprising:
a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the at least one microelectrode;
a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the at least one microelectrode; and
a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system;
the central controller instructing the at least one microelectrode to transmit one or more electrical pulses to the target location to affect an endocrine function of a patient.

12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of microelectrodes at one or more target locations.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one microelectrode includes an electrode that stimulates and senses electrical pulses at each target location.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the stimulator wirelessly transmits informational signals to the central controller indicative of the electrical pulses sensed at the target location.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the central controller executes a stimulation protocol that stimulates the one or more target locations and senses electrical pulses at the one or more target locations.

16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microelectrodes are uniquely addressable to enable the central controller to communicate with each microelectrode individually.

17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the target location is a sympathetic or parasympathetic neuronal pathway connected to one of the pancreas, the liver and/or the small intestine.

18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the target location is the celiac ganglion.

19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein:
the endocrine function is a glucose level of the patient; and the system further comprises a glucose sensor that measures the glucose level of the patient as a feedback datum.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the glucose sensor continuously measures the glucose level of the patient.

21 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the stimulator is a multicontact cuff for targeted stimulation.

22 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a wireless battery charger for powering the stimulator from outside the body or through wires from an implanted battery operated pulse generator.

23 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising an implanted pulse generator for powering the stimulator through wires.

24 . A method of stimulating an endocrine function of a mammal by neuro stimulation, the method comprising:
locating a micro particle at a target location associated with the control of the endocrine function to be stimulated, the micro particle comprising:
a power system that receives a wireless energy transmission; and
an electrode system that transmits an electrical pulse to the target location;
selectively delivering power and signals wirelessly to the micro particle from a central controller, the central controller comprising:
a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the micro particles;
a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the micro particle; and
a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system;
and
selectively stimulating the target location by transmitting an electrical pulse using the micro particle to stimulate the endocrine function of a patient.

25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising selectively sensing electrical pulses at the target location using the micro particle.

26 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising selectively distributing a plurality of micro particles at a plurality of target locations.

27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising executing a stimulation protocol that stimulates the one or more target locations and senses electrical pulses at the one or more target locations.

28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the target locations is a sympathetic or parasympathetic neuronal pathway connected to one of the pancreas, the liver and/or the small intestine.

29 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the target location is the celiac ganglion.

30 . The method of claim 24 , wherein:
the endocrine function is a glucose level of the patient; and the method further comprises monitoring the glucose level of the patient as a feedback datum.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein monitoring comprises continuously monitoring the glucose level of the patient.

32 . A method of stimulating an endocrine function of a mammal by neuro stimulation, the method comprising:
identifying a likely eating event by the mammal; and stimulating the autonomic system of the mammal to provide an insulin spike at a time prior to an eating event.

33 . A method of stimulating an endocrine function of a mammal by neuro stimulation, the method comprising:
identifying at a target location associated with the control of the endocrine function to be stimulated

Assignees

• Verily Life Sciences Llc

Inventors

• Ram Rakhyani Anil Kumar
• Cong Peng
• O'Driscoll Stephen
• Korhummel Sean
• Deyle Travis

Classifications

• A61N1/0556

  Cuff electrodes · CPC title

• A61B5/4244

  liver · CPC title

• A61N1/37205 Primary

  Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula · CPC title

• A61N1/37288

  Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient · CPC title

• A61N1/3606

  adapted for a particular treatment · CPC title