Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue with cooling

US10441459B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US
• The General Hospital Corporation · US

Inventors

• Taylor W. Aronhalt · Loveland, US
• Lee M. Kaplan · Wellesley, US
• Nicholas Stylopoulos · Boston, US
• Jason L. Harris · Lebanon, US
• Dwight Henninger · Waynesville, US
• James W. Voegele · Cincinnati, US
• Mark S. Ortiz · Milford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 15, 2019
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2007/108
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) with cooling. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by cooling tissue having a high density of cold sensitive thermoreceptors and/or by cooling BAT depots directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure.