Non-immediate effects of therapy
A method of treating a metabolic condition in a patient, comprising: determining a target non-immediate effect of a therapy relating to treatment of a metabolic condition; and applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of the patient in a manner designed to at least approach said target.
1. A method of treating a metabolic condition in a patient, comprising:
determining a target non-immediate effect of a therapy relating to treatment of a metabolic condition, said target including a reduced fasting glucose level identifiable 24 hours after said applying is stopped;
selecting an application protocol designed to at least approach said target;
applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of the patient following said protocol so as to at least approach said target; and
causing said target to be approached by said applying, wherein said non-immediate effect is in addition to any effect caused by weight loss.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said metabolic condition comprises diabetes.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting comprises selecting at least one pulse application parameter of said field responsive to said determining.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting comprises selecting at least one application logic of said field responsive to said determining.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting comprises selecting at least one stopping condition of said field responsive to said determining.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting comprises selecting at least one application modification logic of said field responsive to said determining.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect is an effect that appears after less than 1 week from starting of said applying.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect is an effect that appears in a significant manner after more than 3 weeks from starting of said applying.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein said effect includes a persistent reduced fasting blood glucose level.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said effect includes a reduction in HbA1c.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting an application protocol also to achieve an acute effect.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an electric field as a sequence of at least one pulse and comprising applying said sequence fewer than 10 times a day.
13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an electric field as a sequence of at least one pulse and comprising applying said sequence fewer than 5 times a day.
14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an electric field as a sequence of at least one pulse and comprising applying said sequence in fewer than 3 days of a week of said applying.
15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying an electric field as a sequence of at least one pulse and comprising applying said sequence such that a field is applied, in total, for less than 10 minutes a day.
16. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises taking into account a treatment of said patient using a bioactive material.
17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying to a pancreas.
18. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying to a GI tract.
19. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying to a stomach.
20. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said target comprises a reduction in insulin resistance.
21. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said target comprises an improvement in post-prandial glucose levels.
22. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying for less than 3 hours a day, on the average, for a month.
23. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying for less than 1 hour a day, on the average, for a month.
24. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying for less than 1 minute a day, on the average, for a month.
25. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect is an effect that is apparent in a significant manner after more than 1 week from completing of said applying and comprising measuring said effect.
26. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect is an effect that is apparent in a significant manner after more than 1 week from starting of said applying and comprising measuring said effect.
27. A method according to claim 1 , comprising also determining an acute target for said treatment, wherein said applying is for both acute and non-immediate treatment targets and comprising measuring to determine if said targets are reached.
28. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect is identifiable within 4 weeks of an initiation of said therapy.
29. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-immediate effect becomes more pronounced after stopping said applying and comprising measuring said effect.
30. A method according to claim 1 , comprising modifying said applying in response to a measurement of said non-immediate effect.
31. Apparatus for treating a metabolic disorder, comprising:
at least one electrode adapted for implantation in an abdominal cavity; and
circuitry configured to apply an electrical signal, suitable for acute metabolic treatment of humans by reducing blood glucose levels, to said electrodes fewer than 3 hours a day, on the average for a month, wherein said configuration comprises a limit on application duration in a day.
32. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said configuration comprises programming.
33. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said limit is implemented, at least in part, by said circuitry enforcing a refractory period during which no field is applied after a previous application.
34. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said circuitry is configured to apply said field fewer than 10 minutes a day on the average for a week.
35. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said electric signal is selected to reduce glucose levels.
36. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said electric signal is selected to reduce glucose levels without significantly raising insulin levels.
37. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said electric signal is selected to cause a feeling of satiety.
38. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said circuitry is configured to apply an electrical signal to said electrodes less than 1 hours a day, on the average for a month.
39. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said circuitry is configured to apply an electrical signal to said electrodes less than 30 minutes a day, on the average for a month.
40. Apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said circuitry is configured to apply an electrical signal to said electrodes less than 20 minutes a day, on the average for a month.
41. Apparatus for treating a metabolic disorder, comprising:
at least one electrode adapted for implantation in an abdominal cavity; and
circuitry configured to apply an electrification signal, suitable for acute metabolic treatment of humans by reducing blood glucose levels, to said at least one electrode less than once a day on the average for at least a week, wherein said configuration comprises a limit on application duration in a day.
42. Apparatus according to claim 41 , wherein said circuitry is configured to apply said signal for at least a month.
43. A method of metabolic treatment, comprising:
determining a desired diurnal day and night blood glucose level pattern which is not uniform over the day;
applying a blood chemical modifying electrical therapy in a pattern selected to at least approach said desired diurnal pattern by the application separately affecting day and night blood glucose levels.
44. A method of treating an early morning rise in blood glucose levels including one or both of a dawn effect and a Somogyi effect, comprising:
predicting an increase in blood glucose levels at a time prior to an expected waking time; and
applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of a patient more than 2 hours before said expected waking time and prior to said predicted increase, said applying preventing or reducing such an increase in blood glucose level.
45. A method according to claim 44 , wherein said field is applied at least 5 hours before waking.
46. A method for determining a suitability of a patient for treatment using electrical therapy, comprising:
applying at least one electrical field to the patient, said field at least putatively suitable for achieving a metalobic change of a non-immediate reduced fasting glucose level identifiable after 24 hours; and
determining a suitablility of said patient, based on at least one of (a) a change in response to a metabolic challenge given after the applying, said change caused by said field; and (b) a non-immediate effect of said field measured at least 24 hours after said applying is stopped.
47. A method according to claim 46 , wherein determining a suitability comprises determining a suitability based on a change in patient response.
48. A method according to claim 46 , wherein determining a suitability comprises determining a suitability based on a non-immediate effect.
49. A method according to claim 48 , wherein said non-immediate effect manifests within less than 3 days.
50. A method of treating a variation in blood glucose level, comprising:
predicting a change in blood glucose level based on a pattern of blood glucose levels; and
applying an electric field to an abdominal cavity of a patient more than 1 hour before a predicted increase in blood glucose levels, said applying preventing or reducing such an increase in blood glucose level.