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: 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: 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: Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and a control unit (90) to analyze such electrical and mechanical activity and optionally apply electrical energy to modify the activity of tissue of the patient.

Abstract: Gastric apparatus (18) is provided, including one or more sensors (70, 72, 74), adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsive to activity of a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A control unit (90) is adapted to receive and analyze the sensor signals and to determine that an eating event has occurred, responsive to at least one of the sensor signals and a threshold. The control unit identifies an aspect of at least one of the sensor signals deriving from rhythmic activity of the gastrointestinal tract that is not indicative of current eating by the subject, and modifies the threshold responsive to the aspect of the signals that derives from activity that is not indicative of current eating. For some applications, the control unit is adapted to modify the threshold if the aspect is indicative of a migrating motor complex (MMC). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a change in posture of a subject. An electrical impedance is measured between two or more sites on a stomach (20) of the subject, and an impedance signal is generated responsive thereto. The change in posture is detected by performing a posture analysis of the impedance signal. A method is also provided for treating a subject. The method includes applying an electrical signal to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a colon (402) of the subject, and a distal small intestine (408) of the subject. The signal is configured to stimulate cells of the subject to increase secretion of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) or PYY, or to decrease secretion of ghrelin, in order to treat the subject.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including receiving a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating, analyzing the sensor signal, and driving a current into tissue of the subject responsive to analyzing the signal. The current is typically driven into muscle tissue of the subject's stomach (20). Preferably, receiving the sensor signal includes sensing electrical potential change generated responsive to contraction of a muscle such as a stomach muscle of the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signal is analyzed with respect to the timing of ingestion, and a level of compliance of the subject with a desired ingestion schedule is determined. As appropriate, a parameter of the current driven into the tissue may be configured such that the application of the current to the tissue induces in the subject a sensation of satiation, discomfort, nausea, or vertigo.

Abstract: Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and a control unit (90) to analyze such electrical and mechanical activity and optionally apply electrical energy to modify the activity of tissue of the patient.

Abstract: Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and a control unit (90) to analyze such electrical and mechanical activity and optionally apply electrical energy to modify the activity of tissue of the patient.

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: A method is provided for detecting a change in posture of a subject. An electrical impedance is measured between two or more sites on a stomach (20) of the subject, and an impedance signal is generated responsive thereto. The change in posture is detected by performing a posture analysis of the impedance signal. A method is also provided for treating a subject. The method includes applying an electrical signal to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a colon (402) of the subject, and a distal small intestine (408) of the subject. The signal is configured to stimulate cells of the subject to increase secretion of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) or PYY, or to decrease secretion of ghrelin, in order to treat the subject.

Abstract: Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and a control unit (90) to analyze such electrical and mechanical activity and optionally apply electrical energy to modify the activity of tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including receiving a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating, analyzing the sensor signal, and driving a current into tissue of the subject responsive to analyzing the signal. The current is typically driven into muscle tissue of the subject's stomach (20). Preferably, receiving the sensor signal includes sensing electrical potential change generated responsive to contraction of a muscle such as a stomach muscle of the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signal is analyzed with respect to the timing of ingestion, and a level of compliance of the subject with a desired ingestion schedule is determined. As appropriate, a parameter of the current driven into the tissue may be configured such that the application of the current to the tissue induces in the subject a sensation of satiation, discomfort, nausea, or vertigo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling uterine contractions in a female comprises providing sensors for sensing uterine contractions; providing an electric signal generator for generating signals to be applied on the uterus; providing a control unit for receiving signal corresponding to uterus contractions from the sensors and actuate said signal generator to generate a non-excitatory electric signal in a predetermined timing and duration with respect to a sensed uterine contraction; providing signal delivery leads for delivering the electric signal from the electric signal generator to predetermined locations on the uterus; sensing a uterine contraction using the sensors; and applying non-excitatory electric field at the predetermined locations on the uterus in predetermined timing and duration with respect to the sensed uterine contraction.

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: A method and apparatus for controlling uterine contractions in a female is disclosed.