Neuromodulation device and method for treating metabolic disorders
The invention refers to a device for inhibiting the neural activity of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or carotid body of a subject, the device comprising: one or more transducers configured to apply a signal to the CSN or associated carotid body of the subject, optionally at least two such transducers; and a controller coupled to the one or more transducers, the controller controlling the signal to be applied by the one or more transducers, such that the signal inhibits the neural activity of the CSN or carotid body to produce a physiological response in the subject, wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of: an increase in insulin sensitivity in the subject, an increase in glucose tolerance in the subject, a decrease in (fasting) plasma glucose concentration in the subject, a reduction in subcutaneous fat content in the subject, and a reduction in obesity in the subject.
1. A device for inhibiting the neural activity of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or carotid body of a subject, the device comprising:
one or more electrodes configured to apply an electrical signal to the CSN or associated carotid body of the subject; and
a controller coupled to the one or more electrodes, the controller controlling the electrical signal to be applied by the one or more electrodes, such that the electrical signal inhibits the neural activity of the CSN or carotid body to produce a physiological response in the subject,
wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of: an increase in insulin sensitivity in the subject, an increase in glucose tolerance in the subject, a decrease in plasma glucose concentration in the subject, a reduction in subcutaneous fat content in the subject, and a reduction in obesity in the subject,
wherein the electrical signal comprises an alternating current (AC) waveform of 0.5 to 100 kHz frequency.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the AC waveform has a frequency of 30-50 kHz.
3. A device according to claim 2 where the electrode is a cuff electrode.
4. A device according to claim 2 where the electrode is a bipolar cuff electrode.
5. A device according to claim 2 , wherein the device is suitable for at least partial implantation into the subject.
6. A device according to claim 2 , wherein the device is suitable to be wholly implanted into the subject.
7. A device according to claim 1 where the electrode is a cuff electrode.
8. A device according to claim 1 where the electrode is a bipolar cuff electrode.
9. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is suitable for at least partial implantation into the subject.
10. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is suitable to be wholly implanted into the subject.
11. A device according to claim 1 wherein the signal comprises an alternating current (AC) waveform of greater than 25 kHz frequency.
12. A device according to claim 11 where the electrode is a cuff electrode.
13. A device according to claim 11 where the electrode is a bipolar cuff electrode.
14. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the device is suitable for at least partial implantation into the subject.
15. A device according to claim 11 , wherein the device is suitable to be wholly implanted into the subject.
16. A device according to claim 1 wherein the signal comprises an alternating current (AC) waveform of at least 30 kHz frequency.
17. A device according to claim 16 where the electrode is a cuff electrode.
18. A device according to claim 16 where the electrode is a bipolar cuff electrode.
19. A device according to claim 16 , wherein the device is suitable for at least partial implantation into the subject.
20. A device according to claim 16 , wherein the device is suitable to be wholly implanted into the subject.
21. A method of inhibiting neural signalling in the CSN of a subject comprising:
i. implanting in the subject a device for inhibiting the neural activity of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) or carotid body of a subject, the device comprising:
one or more transducers configured to apply a signal to the CSN or associated carotid body of the subject; and
a controller coupled to the one or more transducers, the controller controlling the signal to be applied by the one or more transducers, such that the signal inhibits the neural activity of the CSN or carotid body to produce a physiological response in the subject,
wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of: an increase in insulin sensitivity in the subject, an increase in glucose tolerance in the subject, a decrease in plasma glucose concentration in the subject, a reduction in subcutaneous fat content in the subject, and a reduction in obesity in the subject;
ii. positioning at least one transducer of the device in signalling contact with a CSN or carotid body of the subject;
iii. activating the device,
wherein a first transducer is positioned in signalling contact with the left carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and/or left carotid body of said subject to modulate the neural activity of the left CSN in the subject, and a second transducer is positioned in signalling contact with the right carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and/or right carotid body of said subject to modulate the neural activity of the right CSN in the subject.
22. A method of treating a condition associated with impaired glucose control in a subject, the method comprising applying a signal to a part or all of a carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and/or a carotid body of said subject to inhibit the neural activity of a CSN in the subject,
wherein the signal is an electrical current and, when the signal is applied by a neuromodulation device comprising one or more transducers for applying the signal, each transducer configured to apply the signal is an electrode,
wherein the signal comprises an alternating current (AC) waveform of 0.5 to 100 kHz frequency.
23. A method according to claim 22 , wherein the AC waveform has a frequency of 30-50kHz.