Method and apparatus for electrical current therapy or biological tissue and insulin release therefrom

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for applying electrical stimulation to biological tissues. Specifically, the present disclosure is related to a device for applying anodal / cathodal biphasic electrical stimulation to beta cells of the pancreas. Through application of biphasic stimulation to beta cells of the pancreas, insulin secretion can be increased in an effort to overcome deficiencies associated with diabetic patients.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 805,731, filed Feb. 14, 2019, the teaching of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUNDField Of The Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for the application of electrical stimulation to biological tissues. Specifically, the method and the apparatus of the present disclosure relate to electrically-stimulated release of insulin from the pancreas.Description Of The Related Art

[0003] Certain cells of the human body exhibit a membrane potential and some cells, including cardiac cells and cells of the nervous system, depolarize.

[0004] In some cases, such as the case of cardiac cells, the presence of a vigorous membrane potential functions to provide some protection against arrhythmias. As certain cells, such as cardiac cells, age, their membrane potential decreases and their fun...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033]The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and / or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “an example” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0034]To accomplish the above, electrica...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 805,731, filed Feb. 14, 2019, the teaching of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUNDField Of The Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for the application of electrical stimulation to biological tissues. Specifically, the method and the apparatus of the present disclosure relate to electrically-stimulated release of insulin from the pancreas.Description Of The Related Art

[0003] Certain cells of the human body exhibit a membrane potential and some cells, including cardiac cells and cells of the nervous system, depolarize.

[0004] In some cases, such as the case of cardiac cells, the presence of a vigorous membrane potential functions to provide some protection against arrhythmias. As certain cells, such as cardiac cells, age, their membrane potential decreases and their fun...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033]The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and / or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “an example” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0034]To accomplish the above, electrica...

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