Inventors:
Michael Camilleri - Rochester MN, US
Joseph Murray - Rochester MN, US
International Classification:
A61N 1/20
Abstract:
Methods and systems to replace and/or enhance a normal satiety signal with, e.g., an appetite control signal to curb appetite are disclosed. The appetite control signal may, e.g., enhance or accelerate the normal satiety signal and/or provide a nauseous signal in order to reduce a patient's appetite. The effector that provides the appetite control signal may function by delivering signals that are, e.g., chemical, pharmacological, electrical, biological, thermal, etc. (and combinations thereof). The system may function by sensing early physiological responses to eating using one or physiological sensors. When the physiological responses reach a predetermined level, the effector component may be activated to provide one or more selected appetite control stimuli (e.g., noxious stimuli, enhanced or accelerated satiety stimuli, etc.).