Methods and systems for reducing neural activity in an organ of a subject

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 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. 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 . A catheter for ablating a duodenal wall, the catheter comprising:
 a laser transmitting element coupled with the catheter, the laser transmitting element configured to transmit a laser beam in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said catheter body;   a rotatable optical element configured to direct the beam to be essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the laser emitting device and to enable rotational movement of the laser radiation emitted by the laser element around the longitudinal axis of the duodenum concomitantly with moving of the laser transmitting element along the duodenum, such that the emitted laser radiation generates a spiral-like or helical-like ablation pattern in the duodenal wall; and wherein the rotatable optical element is configured to focus the laser beam to a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced apart target areas around the wall of the duodenum, wherein the focused laser beam has a beam diameter of less than 1 mm at focal length in a range of 2-25 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pressure-inducing element coupled with the catheter body and configured to exert pressure on at least part of the duodenal wall so as to obtain a fixed diameter thereof and so as to position the submucosal layer within the focal plane of the focused laser radiation. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the laser emitting element comprises at least one optical fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable optical element comprises a rotatable prism. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the laser beam has a wavelength in a range of 808 nm, 980 nm, or 1500 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the laser beam has a beam diameter in a range of 1-20 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled with the rotatable optical element for rotating the rotatable optical element and a controller coupled with the actuator for controlling the actuator in accordance with an input signal from an input device. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable optical element comprises a partially reflective mirror configured to enable laser radiation to be reflected back from the submucosal layer. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body has an outer diameter selected to fit through a lumen of an endoscope. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an imaging element configured to collect at least a portion back-reflected laser radiation. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said laser radiation is configured to heat the area to a temperature above 45° C. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating obesity, the method comprising utilizing a catheter comprising:
 a laser transmitting element configured to transmit laser radiation in a first direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said catheter body; and   a rotatable optical element configured to direct the beam to be essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the laser emitting device and to enable rotational movement of the laser radiation emitted by the laser element around the longitudinal axis of the duodenum concomitantly with moving of the laser transmitting element along the duodenum, such that the emitted laser radiation generates a spiral-like or helical-like ablation pattern in the duodenal wall; and wherein the rotatable optical element is configured to focus the laser beam to a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced apart target areas around the wall of the duodenum, wherein the focused laser beam has a beam diameter of less than 1 mm at focal length in a range of 2-25 mm.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter utilized further comprises at least one pressure-inducing element coupled with the catheter body and configured to exert pressure on at least part of the wall of the organ so as to obtain a fixed diameter thereof and so as to position the submucosal layer within the focal plane of the focused laser radiation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of 808 nm, 980 nm, or 1500 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the laser beam has a beam diameter in a range of 1-20 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the focused laser beam has a beam diameter of less than 1 mm at focal length in a range of 2-25 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising utilizing an imaging element to collect at least a portion of back-reflected laser radiation.