Patents by Inventor Shai Ayal
Shai Ayal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120029582Abstract: 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: October 12, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: BIO CONTROL MEDICAL (B.C.M.) LTD.Inventors: Shai AYAL, Ehud COHEN
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Patent number: 8065021Abstract: 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: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20110224749Abstract: A method is provided for treating heart failure in a subject in need of such treatment, including applying a stimulating current to parasympathetic nervous tissue of the subject, selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad. The stimulating current is configured to inhibit release of at least one proinflammatory cytokine sufficiently to the treat heart failure of the subject. A level of the at least one proinflammatory cytokine is measured. Optionally, the stimulating current is configured to change a level of Connexin 43 of the subject, and the level of Connexin 43 is also measured. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BIO CONTROL MEDICAL (B.C.M.) LTD.Inventors: Tamir BEN-DAVID, Ehud COHEN, Yossi GROSS, Shai AYAL
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Patent number: 7974693Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20110098796Abstract: Apparatus is provided for application to a nerve of a subject, including an electrode cuff, which includes a housing, which is configured to be placed at least partially around the nerve so as to define an inner surface of the housing that faces the nerve. A plurality of insulating elements are coupled to the inner surface of the housing at respective insulating element longitudinal positions along the housing, such that the inner surface of the housing and pairs of the insulating elements define one or more respective cavities at respective cavity longitudinal positions along the housing. One or more electrodes are fixed to the housing in fewer than all of the cavities, such that at least one of the cavities is an empty cavity that does not have an electrode positioned therein. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7904151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7890185Abstract: Apparatus for treating a condition of a subject is provided. An electrode device is adapted to be coupled to longitudinal nervous tissue of the subject, and a control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the nervous tissue a current which is capable of inducing action potentials that propagate in the nervous tissue in a first direction, so as to treat the condition. The control unit is further adapted to suppress action potentials from propagating in the nervous tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal
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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: 7805203Abstract: A method is provided that includes surgically implanting an electrode device having a cuff and one or more electrodes mounted in the cuff, by placing the electrode device around a nerve such that the electrodes face the nerve. Conductive solution is introduced into the electrode device such that the solution is in contact with both the electrodes and the nerve. During implantation of the electrode device, an impedance is measured between one or more of the electrodes and an electrical contact point in electrical communication with the electrode device. Responsively to the impedance measurement, it is determined whether the electrode device is correctly sized for the nerve, and, if not, the electrode device is removed and another electrode device having a different size is implanted. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7778703Abstract: Apparatus for treating a heart condition of a subject is provided, including an electrode device, which is adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus 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 vagus nerve. The control unit is also adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7778711Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7734355Abstract: Apparatus (18) for treating a condition of a subject is provided. An electrode device (100) is adapted to be coupled to longitudinal nervous tissue (40) of the subject, and a control unit (50) is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the nervous tissue a current which is capable of inducing action potentials that propagate in the nervous tissue in a first direction, so as to treat the condition. The control unit is further adapted to suppress action potentials from propagating in the nervous tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal
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Publication number: 20100042186Abstract: Apparatus is provided for application to a nerve of a subject, the apparatus comprising an electrode device, which comprises a housing, which is configured to be placed at least partially around the nerve, so as to define an outer surface of the electrode device and an inner surface that faces the nerve. The electrode device further comprises one or more first electrode contact surfaces, fixed to the inner surface of the housing, and one or more second electrode contact surfaces, fixed to the outer surface of the housing. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen, Yossi Gross, Nir Schain
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Publication number: 20100042194Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve, and at least one cathode and at least one anode, fixed to the housing. The apparatus further includes two or more passive electrodes, fixed to the housing, and a conducting element, which electrically couples the passive electrodes to one another. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20100010603Abstract: Apparatus is provided for application to a nerve of a subject, including a housing, which is configured to be placed at least partially around the nerve so as to define an inner surface of the housing that faces the nerve. A plurality of insulating elements are coupled to the inner surface of the housing at respective insulating element longitudinal positions along the housing, such that the inner surface of the housing and pairs of the insulating elements define one or more respective cavities at respective cavity longitudinal positions along the housing. One or more electrodes are fixed to the housing in fewer than all of the cavities. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7634317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Patent number: 7627384Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve, and at least one cathode and at least one anode, fixed to the housing. The apparatus further includes two or more passive electrodes, fixed to the housing, and a conducting element, which electrically couples the passive electrodes to one another. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen
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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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Publication number: 20080161894Abstract: 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: October 19, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Shai Ayal, Omry Ben-Ezra, Ehud Cohen
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Publication number: 20080161895Abstract: 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: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Yossi Gross, Shai Ayal, Ehud Cohen