Hepatic device for treatment or glucose detection
A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying an electrical current to a hepatic portal vein ( 22 ) of the subject, and configuring the current so as to increase glucose uptake by tissue of the subject. A method is also provided, including sensing an electrical signal generated by a portoarterial glucose sensor of a subject, analyzing the signal, and responsive to the analyzing, detecting eating by the subject.
1 - 75 . (canceled)
76 . A method for stimulating a vein of a subject, comprising:
placing, around an external surface of the vein, a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees; and
driving an electrical current through the wire, so as to stimulate the vein.
77 . The method according to claim 76 , wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein placing the wire comprises placing the wire around the external surface of the portal vein.
78 . The method according to claim 76 , wherein the electrode includes a removable curved needle, and wherein placing the wire comprises:
using the needle to draw the electrode around the external surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein; and
removing the needle after completion of the drawing.
79 . A method for sensing electrical activity of a vein of a subject, comprising:
placing, around an external surface of the vein, a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees; and
sensing the electrical activity of the vein, using the wire.
80 . The method according to claim 79 , wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein placing the wire comprises placing the wire around the external surface of the portal vein.
81 . The method according to claim 79 , wherein the electrode includes a removable curved needle, and wherein placing the wire comprises:
using the needle to draw the electrode around the external surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein; and
removing the needle after completion of the drawing.
82 - 163 . (canceled)
164 . Apparatus comprising an electrode, which comprises a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees, the electrode adapted to be applied around an external surface of a vein.
165 . The apparatus according to claim 164 , wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein the electrode is adapted to be applied around the external surface of the portal vein.
166 . The apparatus according to claim 164 , wherein the electrode comprises an electrically insulating coating that coats a portion of a circumference of the wire that does not come in contact with the external surface of the vein.
167 . The apparatus according to claim 164 , wherein the electrode comprises a removable curved needle, adapted to:
draw the electrode around the surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein, and
be removed after completion of the drawing.
168 . Apparatus comprising:
a support structure; and
two or more electrodes coupled to the support structure, each of the electrodes comprising a wire shaped so as to define an arc of between about 270 and about 359 degrees, the electrodes adapted to be applied around an external surface of a vein.
169 . The apparatus according to claim 168 , wherein the vein includes a hepatic portal vein, and wherein the electrodes are adapted to be applied around the external surface of the portal vein.
170 . The apparatus according to claim 168 , wherein each of the electrodes comprises an electrically insulating coating that coats a portion of a circumference of the wire that does not come in contact with the external surface of the vein.
171 . The apparatus according to claim 168 , wherein each of the electrodes comprises a removable curved needle, adapted to:
draw the electrode around the surface of the vein beneath at least a portion of connective tissue surrounding the vein, and
be removed after completion of the drawing.
172 . The apparatus according to any one of claims 168 - 171 , wherein the support structure comprises an elongated rod.
173 . The apparatus according to claim 172 , wherein the rod has a length of between about 2 and about 3 cm.
174 . The apparatus according to claim 172 , wherein the rod has a length of between about 1 and about 3 mm.
175 - 177 . (canceled)