Implantable microchip could be used to battle obesity

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21852062

The microchips were designed by Imperial College London professors Chris Toumazou and Sir Stephen Bloom.  They will soon be tested in a series of animal trials which could determine whether or not they are a good alternative to weight loss surgery.

The intelligent implantable modulators are only a few millimeters wide and will attach to the vagus nerve in the abdomen’s peritoneal cavity using cuff electrodes. The vagus nerve serves as the primary communicator between the brain and the digestive tract.  Once attached, the chip would be able to read electrical and chemical signals indicating appetite. It would then respond by sending a signal of its own to the brain reducing or halting the urge to eat.