Abstract: A method of treating a metabolic condition in a patient, comprising: determining a target non-immediate effect of a therapy relating to treatment of a metabolic condition; and applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of the patient in a manner designed to at least approach said target.

Abstract: Gastric apparatus (18) is provided, including one or more sensors (70, 72, 74), adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject, and an implantable control unit (90), comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers. The implantable control unit (90) is adapted to receive the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set. An external control unit (200), including a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, is adapted to drive the power source to inductively transfer energy via one or more transducers of the second set, so as to recharge the battery, and receive the transmitted data, using one or more transducers of the second set.

Abstract: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Abstract: A capsule for suppressing appetite, comprising: a) a shell which dissolves in the stomach; and b) a plurality of elements inside the shell, which elements expand inside the stomach, after the shell dissolves, to form a connected mass with an envelope volume greater than the total volume of the elements, and at least 3 times the volume of the capsule.

Abstract: A method of treating a metabolic condition in a patient, comprising: determining a target non-immediate effect of a therapy relating to treatment of a metabolic condition; and applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of the patient in a manner designed to at least approach said target.

Abstract: A method of treating a metabolic condition in a patient, comprising: determining a target non-immediate effect of a therapy relating to treatment of a metabolic condition; and applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of the patient in a manner designed to at least approach said target.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of treating diabetic patients comprising measuring a triglyceride level in a diabetic patient and applying a diabetes treatment according to the triglyceride level. Optionally, there is provided a method of screening. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of weight loss. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing HOMA-IR levels. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing blood pressure. An exemplary device to apply the treatment is described.

Abstract: Apparatus (18) for treating a human patient, which includes one or more electrode contact surfaces (100), which are configured to be applied to a fundus (22) of the patient. A control unit (90) is configured to drive the one or more electrode contact surfaces (100) to apply an electrical signal to the fundus (22) that chronically improves a blood glucose level of the patient, in order to treat the patient, without calculating an impedance of tissue of the fundus (22) based on a sensed parameter that varies in response to the electrical signal, for detecting eating by the patient or a characteristic of food eaten by the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating a subject. An electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject, in order to treat the subject.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of treating diabetic patients comprising measuring a triglyceride level in a diabetic patient and applying a diabetes treatment according to the triglyceride level. Optionally, there is provided a method of screening. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of weight loss. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing HOMA-IR levels. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing blood pressure. An exemplary device to apply the treatment is described.

Abstract: A method of glucose level control, comprising providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and applying an electric field to the pancreas using the above-mentioned at least one electrode such that blood glucose levels are significantly reduced and blood insulin levels are not significantly increased.

Abstract: A method of glucose level control comprising providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and applying an electric field to the pancreas using said at least one electrode such that blood glucose levels are significantly reduced and blood insulin levels are not significantly increased compared to a regular insulin response in a same person.

Abstract: Gastric apparatus is provided, including one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsive to activity of a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A control unit is configured with an eating detection threshold selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined threshold, and a threshold determined during a calibration procedure. The control unit is adapted to receive and analyze the sensor signals, and identify an aspect of at least one of the sensor signals indicative of periodic activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The control unit modifies the eating detection threshold responsive to identifying the aspect of the signals that is indicative of the periodic activity, and determines that an eating event has occurred responsive to the modified eating detection threshold and at least one of the analyzed sensor signals. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of treating diabetic patients comprising measuring a triglyceride level in a diabetic patient and applying a diabetes treatment according to the triglyceride level. Optionally, there is provided a method of screening. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of weight loss. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing HOMA-IR levels. Alternatively or additionally, there is provided a method of relatively reducing blood pressure. An exemplary device to apply the treatment is described.

Abstract: Apparatus (450) is provided including an electrode (460) and an implantation tool (458) configured to be passed into an abdominal cavity of a patient, and to insert the electrode into a gastric wall of the patient, generally in parallel to the gastric wall. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a fundic impedance signal of a subject sensed during an initial calibration period using at least one implantable fundic sensor of an eating detection device. An indication is received of actual ingestion events of the subject during the initial calibration period. Using a cost function, an analysis is performed of the fundic impedance signal and the actual ingestion events. Responsively to the analysis, a threshold is set, the crossing of which by the fundic impedance signal is indicative of ingestion. The threshold is stored in a memory of the eating detection device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A pancreatic controller, comprising: a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum; at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells; a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and a controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

Abstract: A method is provided, including physically contacting a gastric implantation site of a stomach via a transluminal approach, physically contacting the site via a transabdominal approach, stabilizing the site, and implanting an electrode at the site based on the physical contact provided by the transluminal and transabdominal approach. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a subject. The method includes administering to the subject an ingestible capsule containing one or more flexible support elements adapted to expand while in a stomach of the subject, thereby bringing a plurality of electrodes into contact with a wall of the stomach. The method also includes driving the electrodes to apply an electrical signal to the stomach wall at first and second times, the second time at last 24 hours after the first time. Other embodiments are also described.