Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure is a method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the distal small intestines or ileum, and administering electrical stimulation in trains of pulses or repetitive pulses, where the electrical stimulation is effective, at least in part in, stimulating the vagal afferent and efferent activity, of the distal small intestines or ileum, in the individual. The stimulation of the vagal afferent and efferent activity leads to the regulation of the ileal brake. Specifically, the electrical stimulation is provided in trains of pulses. Also, described is a method of treatment for functional gastrointestinal disease by ileal electrical stimulation. Further this invention provides a method of treatment for an eating disorder comprising administering ileal electrical stimulation effective, at least in part, in stimulating the vagal and sympathetic pathways.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof, by administering electrical stimulation at dual sites in the gastrointestinal tract. The electrical stimulations are administered by positioning bipolar stimulatory electrodes in contact with the gastric and dudenol cavities, along afferent vagal neural pathways, in the gastrointestinal tract. The electrical stimulations thus administered, activate the vagal afferents associated with the gastric and dudenol sites in the gastrointestinal tract. The activation of vagal afferents modulates the gastrointestinal peptide satiety hormones. Further, the disclosure provides a method of treatment for eating disorders, in an individual in need thereof, by administering electrical stimulation at dual sites, along afferent vagal neural pathways, in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The method further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject.

Abstract: A method of preventing acute pancreatitis comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the stomach of an individual in need thereof; and administering repetitive trains of short pulse gastrointestinal electrical stimulation effective for suppressing the inflammatory response in the pancreas is provided herein. The electrodes are placed by laproscopic, endoscopic or surgical means. The gastrointestinal stimulation activates vagal reflexes. The activation of the vagal reflexes is via the gastric and pancreatic afferents. The gastrointestinal stimulation also activates the axonal reflexes. The activation of the axonal reflexes is via the dichotomous branches of the spinal nerves. The electrical stimulation is administered concurrently with an endoscopic procedure or immediately following an endoscopic procedure.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.

Abstract: The invention is a method of treatment for reducing visceral pain by administering in an individual in need thereof gastrointestinal electrical stimulation in repetitive trains of short pulses, where the administration of gastrointestinal electrical stimulation reduces visceral pain in the individual. Also, provided is a method of treating gastrointestinal sensory dysfunction. Further, this invention provides methods for modulating sympathetic nervous system for the treatment of visceral pain by administering in an individual in need thereof repetitive trains of short pulse electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, where the electrical stimulation provided is effective in reducing visceral pain.

Abstract: One of the major disabling symptoms of gastroparesis is nausea and vomiting which can be difficult to control with currently available treatments. It is postulated that signaling of gastrointestinal causes of nausea starts with activation of vagal afferent nerves that trigger the central emetic pathway. Most vagal afferent nerves are unmyelinated C-fibers, many of which express the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 and respond to capsaicin. Resiniferatoxin is a very potent capsaicin analogue that has a much more favorable ratio of desensitization to excitation than capsaicin leading to more effective desensitization without irritation. The present invention demonstrates that desensitization of TRPV1 responsive gastric sensory neurons would attenuate nausea and vomiting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved process using electrostimulation for treating obesity, especially morbid obesity, is provided. The improved method of this invention provides electrostimulation on or along the small intestines, preferably on or along the duodenum and/or jejunum, which provides improved control of obesity. In one embodiment, the process employs stimulation of the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 30 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.1 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 seconds between the pulses. More preferably, the pulse rate is about 12 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.1 to about 0.5 seconds with a pause of about 4.5 to about 5 seconds between pulses. Preferably, the pulse amplitude is about 0.5 to about 15 milliamps. More preferable, each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 Hz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and methods of lie detection utilizing electrogastrography to monitor changes in the gastric electric rhythm of a subject. Also provided are methods of discriminating between the stress of deception induced in a subject during a lie detection examination and the stress of the examination itself.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gastrointestinal action in a subject using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the GI tract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of stimulating the vagus nerve of a subject.

Abstract: A process and device for treating obesity and syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach of a patient is provided. The process includes artificially altering, by means of electrical pulses for preset periods of time, the natural gastric motility of the patient to prevent the emptying of or to slow down gastric transit through the stomach to increase the feeling of satiety and/or to accelerate intestinal transit to reduce absorption time within the intestinal tract. More specifically, the electrical stimulation induces tachygastria, which inhibits gastric motility, yields gastric distention, and delays gastric emptying. The tachygastrial electrical stimulation of the stomach, or other portions of the gastrointestinal tract, includes relatively long pulse widths, with lengths of up to 500 milliseconds.

Abstract: A method for treatment of obesity, especially morbid obesity, gastroparesis and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach. The method of this invention utilizes a sensor to detect food entering the patient's stomach, thereby the sensor communicates with and activates at least one electrical stimulation device attached to either the stomach or the small intestine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gastrointestinal action in a subject using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the GI tract. The invention is further directed to a method for reducing weight in a subject, again using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the stomach. The invention is further directed to a method of providing electrical field stimulation to a gastrointestinal organ, as well as a method of providing an electrical potential gradient in a gastrointestinal organ. Further provided is a method of stimulating the vagus nerve of a subject. Additionally provided is a method of placing a device in the gastrointestinal tract or wall of a subject from the exterior of the subject, using a needle to insert the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gastrointestinal action in a subject using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the GI tract. The invention is further directed to a method for reducing weight in a subject, again using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the stomach. The invention is further directed to a method of providing electrical field stimulation to a gastrointestinal organ, as well as a method of providing an electrical potential gradient in a gastrointestinal organ. Further provided is a method of stimulating the vagus nerve of a subject. Additionally provided is a method of placing a device in the gastrointestinal tract or wall of a subject from the exterior of the subject, using a needle to insert the device.

Abstract: An improved process using electrostimulation for treating obesity, especially morbid obesity, is provided. The improved method of this invention provides electrostimulation on or along the small intestines, preferably on or along the duodenum and/or jejunum, which provides improved control of obesity. In one embodiment, the process employs stimulation of the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 30 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.1 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 seconds between the pulses. More preferably, the pulse rate is about 12 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.1 to about 0.5 seconds with a pause of about 4.5 to about 5 seconds between pulses. Preferably, the pulse amplitude is about 0.5 to about 15 milliamps. More preferable, each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 Hz.