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US 20050240231A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (io) Pub. No.: US 2005/0240231 Al
Aldrich et al. (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 27, 2005
(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING DISRUPTION OF A VAGAL NERVE
(75) Inventors: William N. Aldrich, Napa, CA (US);
David Miller, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Correspondence Address:
ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE, LLP
IP PROSECUTION DEPARTMENT
4 PARK PLAZA
SUITE 1600
IRVINE, CA 92614-2558 (US) (73) Assignee: EndoVx, Inc.
(21) Appl. No.: 11/067,185
(22) Filed: Feb. 24, 2005
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part ol application No. 10/389,236, filed on Mar. 14, 2003.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.7 A61N 1/18
(52) U.S. C I 607/3
(57) ABSTRACT
Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the lunction and disruption ol the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.
