Abstract: A method and apparatus (30) for modifying contractility of the heart of a patient. The method includes receiving signals from a sensor (22, 23, 46) coupled to the body of the patient indicative of physiological activity. The signals are analyzed to derive a measure of the physiological activity, and excitable tissue control (ETC) stimulation is applied to the heart (20) so as to enhance contractility of the heart muscle responsive to the measure.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.

Abstract: Apparatus (18) for sensing electrical activity of a pancreas (20) of a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes (100), adapted to be coupled to the pancreas, and a control unit (90), adapted to receive electrical signals from the electrodes indicative of electrical activity of pancreatic cells which are in a plurality of islets of the pancreas, and to generate an output responsive thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of increasing contractile force and/or the motility of a GI tract. A first method comprises selecting a portion of the GI tract and applying a non-excitatory electric field to the portion, which field increases the force of contraction at the portion. A second method comprises determining a timing of a returning wave in the GI tract and applying an electric field to at least a portion of the GI tract, which electric field reduces the response of the GI tract to the returning wave.

Abstract: A reducer implant for insertion in a blood vessel, for reducing an inner diameter of said vessel and flow therethrough, having at least one narrowed section having a first diameter; and at least one flared section having a diameter substantially greater than said first diameter. Optionally, the reducer is formed of a material and has a geometry that does not cause coagulation of blood in its vicinity.

Abstract: A pancreatic controller, comprising:

Abstract: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle, comprising selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion and applying a non-excitatory electrical field to the portion, which field reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Abstract: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle, comprising selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion and applying a non-excitatory electrical field to the portion, which field reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Abstract: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle, comprising selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion and applying a non-excitatory electrical field to the portion, which field reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Abstract: According to a method and device for modulating intracellular calcium concentration in biological tissue, a stimulation probe is applied to the tissue, a non-excitatory stimulation pulse is generated, and the pulse is conveyed to the stimulation probe. In one embodiment concerning cardiac tissue, a stimulation probe is applied to a patient's heart, a signal is received from at least one sensor responsive to the patient's cardiac muscle activity, a non-excitatory stimulation pulse responsive to the signal is generated, and the pulse is conveyed to the stimulation probe.

Abstract: Apparatus (800) for targeted release of a molecule carried in a circulating reservoir, comprising: at least one electrode (804); and a controller (810) adapted to electrify said electrode (804) with at least one electric field, said electric field operative to have at least one desired effect related to said circulating reservoir with said molecule, wherein said electrode and said electrification are adapted such that at least one of said effects is selectively applied to a particular blood vessel that carries blood through tissue and wherein said at least one effect that is selectively applied comprises a release effect, which releases said molecule from said circulating reservoir that circulates in said blood vessel.

Abstract: Electrical treatment apparatus (100) for use with an associated molecule source, comprising: at least one electrode (106); a power source (120) for electrifying said at least one electrode; and a controller, which is programmed to activate the power source (120) to selectively electrify said at least one electrode (106) to apply at least one electric field including a transport effect for transporting a molecule in a desired manner and a non-excitatory control effect for controlling the activity of at least a part of a non-cardiac excitable tissue, said programming selected to achieve a desired provision of said molecule into said at least a part of an excitable tissue or associated vasculature, said desired provision being at least assisted by an interaction between the transport effect and the control effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking the electric activity of an area of tissue, comprises circuitry (S) for creating a long non-excitatory electric signal between at least two points (R1, R2) located in the vicinity of a muscle

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for heart packing with cardiac output modification, including one or more electrodes (27, 29) which apply electrical signals to muscle. Signal generation circuitry (26) applies an excitatory electrical pulse to at least one of the one or more electrodes to pace the heart and a non-excitatory stimulation pulse to at least one of the one or more electrode s to modify the cardiac output. Preferably the circuitry synchronizes the non-excitatory stimulation pulse with the pacing pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart. Electrical signals are applied to the heart so as to reduce motion of a segment thereof, and the procedure is performed while the heart continues to pump blood. Preferably, the motion increases spontaneously after the signals are removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking the electric activity of an area of tissue, comprises circuitry (S) for creating a long non-excitatory electric signal between at least two points (R1, R2) located in the vicinity of a muscle.

Abstract: This invention is a lead (10) for modifying the activity of a tissue, particularly the heart. Electrodes are provided for performing sensing (15p) (15d), and/or signal delivery (16p) (16d) functions. A control unit controls the parameters of the electric field provided by signal delivery electrodes to prevent the generation of a propagation action potential in the tissue.

Abstract: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by at least 5%.