Methods and apparatus for retarding stomach emptying for treatment of eating disorders
First Claim
1. A method for treating obesity comprising:
- supplying electrical stimulation directly or indirectly to the pylorus of a patient in an effective stimulation regimen to substantially close the pylorus lumen to inhibit emptying of the stomach.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for treating patients suffering from eating disorders, e.g. obesity, through the delivery of electrical stimulation directly or indirectly to the pylorus of a patient in an effective stimulation regimen to substantially close the pylorus lumen to inhibit emptying of the stomach. The stimulation electrodes are applied directly to or immediately adjacent to the muscles layers of the pyloric sphincters or are situated in operative relation to the splanchnic nerve that innervates the pyloric sphincter. Stimulation can be delivered continuously 24 hours per day or can be halted at meal times to enable passage of chyme through the pylorus lumen at such times. Alternatively, stimulation is delivered following events related to peristalsis, ingestion or stomach emptying to induce a feeling of satiety.
319 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for treating obesity comprising:
supplying electrical stimulation directly or indirectly to the pylorus of a patient in an effective stimulation regimen to substantially close the pylorus lumen to inhibit emptying of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of delivering electrical stimulation from an implantable gastro-intestinal tract stimulator comprising an implantable pulse generator and at least one electrical medical lead to suppress appetite, the method comprising the steps of:
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surgically implanting at least one electrical stimulation electrode of the electrical medical lead in operative association with the muscle layers of a pyloric sphincter;
coupling the electrical medical lead to the implantable pulse generator; and
operating the implantable pulse generator to deliver electrical stimulation through the implantable medical lead and stimulation electrode to the muscle layers of the pyloric sphincter to cause the muscle layers to contract and close the pylorus lumen to inhibit passage of chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.
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19. A method of delivering electrical stimulation from an implantable gastro-intestinal tract stimulator comprising an implantable pulse generator and at least one electrical medical lead to suppress appetite, the method comprising the steps of:
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surgically implanting at least one electrical stimulation electrode of the electrical medical lead in operative association with a nerve innervating a pyloric sphincter of a pylorus;
coupling the electrical medical lead to the implantable pulse generator; and
operating the implantable pulse generator to deliver electrical stimulation through the implantable medical lead and stimulation electrode to the nerve innervating the pyloric sphincter to cause the muscle layers of the pyloric sphincter to contract and close the pylorus lumen to inhibit passage of chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.
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20. A method of treating patients for obesity comprising the steps of:
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delivering electrical stimulation to the patient'"'"'s body at a site effecting substantial closure of the pylorus lumen;
detecting the commencement of a customary mealtime according to the patient'"'"'s circadian cycle;
responding to the detected commencement of the customary mealtime by halting delivery of the electrical stimulation to enable relaxation and opening of the pylorus lumen;
timing an interruption duration; and
resuming delivery of the electrical stimulation to the site to effect substantial closure of the pylorus lumen.
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21. Apparatus for treating obesity comprising:
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an implantable pulse generator adapted to be implanted in a patient'"'"'s body that develops electrical stimulation in an electrical stimulation regimen; and
at least one lead extending from the implantable pulse generator to supply the electrical stimulation directly or indirectly to the pylorus of a patient in an effective stimulation regimen to substantially close the pylorus lumen to inhibit emptying of the stomach. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A system for treating patients for obesity comprising:
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means for delivering electrical stimulation to the patient'"'"'s body at a site effecting substantial closure of the pylorus lumen;
means for detecting the commencement of a customary mealtime according to the patient'"'"'s circadian cycle;
means for responding to the detected commencement of the customary mealtime by halting delivery of the electrical stimulation to enable relaxation and opening of the pylorus lumen;
means for timing an interruption duration; and
means for resuming delivery of the electrical stimulation to the site to effect substantial closure of the pylorus lumen.
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Specification