Dynamic nerve stimulation for treatment of disorders
A method for the treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of nerves is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating a nerve using an electrode. Dynamic stimulation through ramped cycling of electrical stimulation, stimulation frequency alteration, and/or duty cycle variance can produce therapeutic benefits.
1. A method of electrically stimulating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal by applying a stimulation pattern to provide weight loss, the method comprising:
applying an intermittent electrical signal comprising a frequency, a pulse width and a current to the splanchnic nerve, wherein the intermittent signal comprises a stimulation time period and a no stimulation time period and wherein the stimulation time period comprises a signal on time and a signal off time;
changing the intermittent electrical signal frequently enough, and substantially enough to prevent compensation, wherein the changing intermittent electrical signal is configured to achieve a net weight loss over at least 28 days.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency is increased after one or more signal off times.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current is increased after one or more signal off time.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation pattern comprises a ramp portion that lasts about 9 days.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current is increased daily.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current increases by about 20% in a 24 hour period.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current reduces after one or more signal off times.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency reduces after one or more signal off times.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current reduces during one or more stimulation periods for about 1 day.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current reduces for about 4 days.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency reduces during one or more stimulation periods for about 3 days.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current reduces for between about 1 day and about 10 days.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal off time varies.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency increases hourly for between about 1 day and about 5 days.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermittent signal current increases from 0 mA to about 5 mA.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current increases from about ½ mA to about 5 mA.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the increases stimulation intensity from 1.0 -5.0 mAmp-mSec.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency changes from about 10 Hz to about 20 Hz.
19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein abdominal fat is reduced.
20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein liver fat is reduced.
21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the mammal has type II diabetes.
22. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stimulation intensity during the no-stimulation period is non-zero.
23. A method of electrically stimulating a splanchnic nerve in a mammal by applying a stimulation pattern to provide weight loss, the method comprising:
applying an intermittent electrical signal comprising a frequency, a pulse width and a current to the splanchnic nerve, wherein the intermittent signal comprises a stimulation time period and a no stimulation time period and wherein the stimulation time period comprises a signal on time and a signal off time;
changing the intermittent electrical signal frequently enough, and substantially enough to prevent compensation, wherein the changing intermittent electrical signal is configured to achieve a net weight loss over at least 28 days and wherein the intermittent electrical signal changes by varying one or more of the frequency from about 1 Hz to about 500 Hz, the current at intensities greater than 2 mA, the pulse width at lengths greater than 0.250 mSec, the duration of the signal off time or combinations thereof.
24. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the signal off time is greater than the signal on time.
25. The method according to claim 23 , wherein abdominal fat is reduced.
26. The method according to claim 23 , wherein liver fat is reduced.
27. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the mammal has type II diabetes.
28. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the stimulation intensity during the no-stimulation period is non-zero.