Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Methods and devices for activating brown adipose tissue using electrical energy
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Application No.: US14584066Application Date: 2014-12-29
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Publication No.: US10080884B2Publication Date: 2018-09-25
- Inventor: Jason L. Harris , Tamara C. Baynham
- Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US PR Guaynabo
- Assignee: Ethicon LLC
- Current Assignee: Ethicon LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US PR Guaynabo
- Agency: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
- Main IPC: A61N1/00
- IPC: A61N1/00 ; A61N1/04 ; A61N1/05 ; A61N1/36

Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) using electrical energy. In general, the methods and devices can facilitate activation of BAT to increase thermogenesis. The BAT can be activated by applying an electrical signal thereto that can be configured to target sympathetic nerves that can directly innervate the BAT. The electrical signal can be configured to target the sympathetic nerves using fiber diameter selectivity. In other words, the electrical signal can be configured to activate nerve fibers having a first diameter without activating nerve fibers having diameters different than the first diameter. Sympathetic nerves include postganglionic unmyelinated, small diameter fibers, while parasympathetic nerves that can directly innervate BAT include preganglionic myelinated, larger diameter fibers. The electrical signal can be configured to target and activate the postganglionic unmyelinated, small diameter fibers without activating the preganglionic myelinated, larger diameter fibers.
Public/Granted literature
- US20160184574A1 Methods and Devices for Activating Brown Adipose Tissue Using Electrical Energy Public/Granted day:2016-06-30
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