Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue using electrical energy

US9044606B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Jason L. Harris · Lebanon, US
• Nicholas Stylopoulos · Boston, US
• Lee M. Kaplan · Wellesley, US
• Tamara Colette Baynham · Bowie, US
• Jeyakumar Subbaroyan · Parsippany, US
• James W. Voegele · Cincinnati, US
• Taylor W. Aronhalt · Loveland, US
• Anthony DiUbaldi · Jackson, US
• David N. Plescia · Cincinnati, US
• Mark S. Ortiz · Milford, US
• Theodore L. Stephens · Bee Cave, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 29, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 29, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36192
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). 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. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by electrically stimulating nerves that activate the BAT and/or electrically stimulating brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss through energy expenditure.