Methods and systems for blocking neural activity in an organ of a subject, preferably in the small intestine or the duodenum

Abstract

The present disclosure provides, according to some embodiments, methods and systems for selectively reducing, blocking or inhibiting at least part of the neural activity in an organ of a subject. In preferred embodiments, the method and system are used for selectively blocking at least part of the neural activity in a duodenum of a subject in need thereof. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of ultrasound energy. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking comprises causing damage to at least part of sensory nerves located within a target area while maintaining functional activity of tissue surrounding the sensory nerves by means of shielding it from the effects of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the sensory nerves include neurons configured to transmit signals triggered by food passing through the duodenum, such as, but not limited to, neurohormonal signals.

1 .- 111 . (canceled) 
     
     
         112 . A method for reducing neural activity in a duodenum of a subject, the method comprising:
 introducing ultrasound transducer into the duodenum of the subject;   emitting a focused ultrasound beam at a frequency in a range of 5 MHz to 50 MHz and at an intensity of 5 to 300 Watt/cm 2  wherein the ultrasound beam is configured to be absorbed by different layers of the duodenum in the target area;   lowering a temperature of the target area utilizing a cooling mechanism, thereby causing selective ablation of sensory nerves located in the target area's submucosal layer to at least partially reduce the neural activity within the submucosal layer while maintaining functional activity of the mucosal layer within the treated target area and/or surrounding the treated target area.   
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the focused ultrasound beam emitted is selected from a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) beam, a microfocused ultrasound beam, a laser induced focused ultrasound (LGFU) beam or a focused ultrasound beam enhanced with micro-bubbles. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the focused ultrasound beam is a HIFU beam configured to generate thermal stress and/or cavitation that selectively disrupts or destroys the sensory nerves in the target area. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the HIFU beam causes the temperature of the sensory nerves to be raised and maintained at a temperature above about 42° C. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the ultrasound beam propagates radially in a circular range of 360 degrees around the ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to emit the ultrasound beam with an exposure in a range of 5-100 seconds. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to emit the ultrasound beam with an exposure of approximately 30 seconds. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 118 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to emit the ultrasound beam with an exposure of no more than 60 seconds. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the ultrasound transducer comprises an inflatable balloon configured to stretch a wall of the duodenum in the target area and to position the ultrasound transducer in the center of the duodenal lumen. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein the inflatable balloon surrounds the ultrasound transducer and wherein the inflatable balloon is made of a martial configured to allow passage of the emitted ultrasound beam therethrough. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 112 , further comprising introducing a heating mechanism configured to maintain and/or elevate a temperature of the duodenal wall to a 37° C. or above to increase impact of the ultrasound beam. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the focused ultrasound beam is emitted at a frequency in a range of 5 MHz to 20 MHz and at an intensity of 5 to 150 Watt/cm 2 . 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the focused ultrasound beam is emitted at a frequency in a range of 10 MHz to 40 MHz wherein the focused ultrasound beam is emitted at an intensity of 5 to 80 Watt/cm 2 . 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 112 , further comprising emitting a second ultrasound beam configured for imaging of the target area. 
     
     
         126 . A method for reducing neural activity in a duodenum of a subject, the method comprising:
 introducing ultrasound transducer into the duodenum of the subject;   emitting a high-intensity focused ultrasound beam emitting a focused ultrasound beam at a frequency in a range of 1 MHz to 50 MHz and at an intensity of at least 500 Watt/cm 2  configured to configured to generate thermal stress and/or cavitation that selectively disrupts or destroys the sensory nerves in the target area, such that the neural activity within the submucosal layer is reduced while functional activity of the mucosal layer is maintained.   
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the HIFU beam causes the temperature of the sensory nerves to be raised and maintained at a temperature above about 42° C. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the circular ultrasound beam propagates radially in a circular range of 360 degrees around the ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to emit the ultrasound beam with an exposure in a range of 1-180 seconds. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the ultrasound transducer comprises an inflatable balloon configured to stretch a wall of the duodenum in the target area and to position the ultrasound transducer in the center of the duodenal lumen. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 126 , further comprising emitting a second ultrasound beam configured for imaging of the target area.