Patents Assigned to Biocontrol Medical LTD
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Patent number: 7844346Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing, that is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve. At least one electrode is fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode does not come in direct physical contact with the nerve, and such that the electrode surrounds greater than 180 degrees of a circumference of the nerve after the placement of the housing. Two end insulating elements are fixed to the housing. The at least one electrode is between the end insulating elements. A characteristic closest end insulating element distance to a surface of the nerve is less than 0.5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra
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Patent number: 7628750Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a skeletal muscle of a patient is provided. The apparatus typically includes a plurality of electrodes, which are adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a motor nerve that innervates the skeletal muscle. A control unit, is preferably adapted to drive a current between two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and to configure the current such that a first subset of axons in the nerve is excited by the current and such that a second subset of axons in the nerve is not excited by the current.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross
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Patent number: 7561922Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing that is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve. First, second, and third electrodes are fixed to the housing at first, second, and third longitudinal sites of the housing, respectively. The first, second, and third electrodes do not come in direct physical contact with the nerve. The second site is between the first and third sites. The second electrode has an electrode surface axial length. The apparatus also includes first and second internal insulating elements, which are fixed to the housing between the first and second longitudinal sites, and between the second and third longitudinal sites, respectively. The first and second internal insulating elements are shaped so as to define, upon placement of the housing, a nerve axial distance between the first and second internal insulating elements that is less than the electrode surface axial length.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Tamir Ben David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben Ezra
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Patent number: 7324853Abstract: A method for treating spasticity of a subject is provided, including driving a current into a nerve of the subject that includes one or more sensory fibers, and configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of action potentials in one or more of the sensory fibers, so as to treat the spasticity. In a preferred embodiment, the sensory fibers include one or more Ia sensory fibers, and configuring the current includes configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of the action potentials in at least one of the Ia sensory fibers.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen, Ron Dabby
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Patent number: 7321793Abstract: Apparatus for treating a subject suffering from spontaneous atrial fibrillation includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply an electrical current to the vagus nerve, and to configure the current to maintain the spontaneous AF for at least about 24 hours, so as to modify blood flow within the atria and reduce risk of thromboembolic events.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Omry Ben Ezra, Ehud Cohen, Tamir Ben David
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Patent number: 7295881Abstract: A dual electrode arrangement, is provided, wherein two, preferably unidirectional, electrode configurations flank a nerve junction from which a preselected nerve branch issues, proximally and distally to the junction, with respect to the brain. The arrangement is conducive to the following: generating efferent action-potential propagations, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch, inhibiting afferent action-potential propagations, from the preselected nerve branch, selectively generating action-potential propagations, in a subset of nerve fibers of a predetermined diameter range, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch, and selectively inhibiting action-potential propagations, in a subset of nerve fibers of a predetermined diameter range, substantially restricted to the preselected nerve branch.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra
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Publication number: 20060136024Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing that is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve. First, second, and third electrodes are fixed to the housing at first, second, and third longitudinal sites of the housing, respectively. The first, second, and third electrodes do not come in direct physical contact with the nerve. The second site is between the first and third sites. The second electrode has an electrode surface axial length. The apparatus also includes first and second internal insulating elements, which are fixed to the housing between the first and second longitudinal sites, and between the second and third longitudinal sites, respectively. The first and second internal insulating elements are shaped so as to define, upon placement of the housing, a nerve axial distance between the first and second internal insulating elements that is less than the electrode surface axial length.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Applicant: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra
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Publication number: 20060100668Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating a condition of a subject, including an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to an autonomic nerve of the subject, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the nerve a stimulating current, which is capable of inducing action potentials in a therapeutic direction in a first set and a second set of nerve fibers of the nerve, and to drive the electrode device to apply to the nerve an inhibiting current, which is capable of inhibiting the induced action potentials traveling in the therapeutic direction in the second set of nerve fibers, the nerve fibers in the second set having generally larger diameters than the nerve fibers in the first set. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen, Nitza Gal-On Shoham, Avraham Biran, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ron Dabby, Yossi Gross
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Publication number: 20050267542Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implantable sensor, adapted to sense an electrical parameter of a heart of a subject, and a first control unit, adapted to apply pulses to the heart responsively to the sensed parameter, the pulses selected from the list consisting of: pacing pulses and anti-arrhythmic energy. The apparatus further includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a carotid sinus of the subject, a coronary sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, a right ventricle of the subject, and a jugular vein of the subject; and a second control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the site a current that increases parasympathetic tone of the subject and affects a heart rate of the subject. The first and second control units are not under common control.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Tamir David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20050216069Abstract: A device (20) for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device (20) includes a sensor (44), which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode (27), which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit (22) is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode (27). In various configurations, the device (20) may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2002Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross, Israel Nissenkorn
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Publication number: 20050197675Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a site of a subject; and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply a current to the site intermittently during alternating “on” and “off”periods, each of the “on” periods having an “on” duration equal to between 1 and 10 seconds, and each of the “off” periods having an “off”duration equal to at least 50% of the “on” duration. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2005Publication date: September 8, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Tamir David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20050187586Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of a subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject. Also provided is a method comprising applying to a vagus nerve of a subject a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Tamir David, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 6907295Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve. A cathode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a cathodic longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply, a cathodic current to the nerve. A primary inhibiting anode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a primary anodal longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a primary anodal current to the nerve. A secondary inhibiting anode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a secondary anodal longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a secondary anodal current to the nerve, the secondary anodal longitudinal site being closer to the primary anodal longitudinal site than to the cathodic longitudinal site.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 6896651Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Yossi Gross, Ehud Cohen, Israel Nissenkorn, David Lifschitz
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Publication number: 20050102007Abstract: A method for treating spasticity of a subject is provided, including driving a current into a nerve of the subject that includes one or more sensory fibers, and configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of action potentials in one or more of the sensory fibers, so as to treat the spasticity. In a preferred embodiment, the sensory fibers include one or more Ia sensory fibers, and configuring the current includes configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of the action potentials in at least one of the Ia sensory fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen, Ron Dabby
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Patent number: 6892098Abstract: A method for treating spasticity of a subject is provided, including driving a current into a nerve of the subject that includes one or more sensory fibers, and configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of action potentials in one or more of the sensory fibers, so as to treat the spasticity. In a preferred embodiment, the sensory fibers include one or more Ia sensory fibers, and configuring the current includes configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of the action potentials in at least one of the Ia sensory fibers.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen, Ron Darby
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Patent number: 6862480Abstract: A device for treating a medical condition is provided, and a surgical procedure for implanting the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal responsive to a state of a patient, and at least one electrode, which is adapted to be coupled to a pelvic site of the patient. A control unit is adapted to receive the signal, to analyze the signal so as to distinguish between an imminent stress incontinence event and an imminent urge event, and, responsive to analyzing the signal, to apply an electrical waveform to the at least one electrode. In various configurations, the device may be used alternatively or additionally to treat fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain, or urine retention.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Biocontrol Medical Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross, Israel Nissenkorn
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Publication number: 20050038490Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve. A cathode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a cathodic longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a cathodic current to the nerve. A primary inhibiting anode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a primary anodal longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a primary anodal current to the nerve. A secondary inhibiting anode is adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a secondary anodal longitudinal site of the nerve and to apply a secondary anodal current to the nerve, the secondary anodal longitudinal site being closer to the primary anodal longitudinal site than to the cathodic longitudinal site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2004Publication date: February 17, 2005Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 6839594Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a skeletal muscle of a patient is provided. The apparatus typically includes a plurality of electrodes, which are adapted to be placed in a vicinity of a motor nerve that innervates the skeletal muscle. A control unit, is preferably adapted to drive a current between two or more of the plurality of electrodes, and to configure the current such that a first subset of axons in the nerve is excited by the current and such that a second subset of axons in the nerve is not excited by the current.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Biocontrol Medical LTDInventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross
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Publication number: 20040193231Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of a subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject. Also provided is a method comprising applying to a vagus nerve of a subject a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: BIOCONTROL MEDICAL LTD.Inventors: Tamir B. David, Shai Ayal, Omry B. Ezra, Ehud Cohen