Systems and methods for treating obesity and other gastrointestinal conditions

• US 20040089313A1
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc. (Respiratory Technology Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gaiser, John W., Utley, David S., Croft, Rachel E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,468,060 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0079 Pyloric or esophageal obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0089 Instruments for placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/04 for ulcers, gastritis or reflux esophagitis, e.g. antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion, mucosal protectants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/16 for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents

Abstract

Systems and methods affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter and/or serve to mediate or moderate receptive relaxation of muscles in the stomach, to treat or mitigate various physiologic conditions, such as obesity, biliary reflex, GERD, and/or Barrett'"'"'s esophagus. The systems and methods may be used as either a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

Claims

1. A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

2. A method to treat obesity comprising the step of ablating tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter to affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter.

3. A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

4. A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step ablating tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter to affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter.

5. A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to a tissue region, at, or near the pyloric sphincter, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue region.

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.

7. A method to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent a tissue region at or near the pyloric sphincter, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue region.

8. A method according to claim 7

wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.

10. A system according to claim 7

wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.

9. A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to a tissue region, at, or near the pyloric sphincter, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue region.

11. A method to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent a tissue region at or near the pyloric sphincter, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue region.

12. A method according to claim 11

wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.

13. A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a magnetic source fitted in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter.

14. A method to treat obesity comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter.

15. A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a magnetic source fitted in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter.

16. A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter.

17. A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a tissue constricting band deployed in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

18. A method to treat obesity comprising the step of deploying a tissue constricting band in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

19. A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a tissue-constricting band deployed in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

20. A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step of deploying a tissue-constricting band in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter.

21. A system to treat obesity by mediating receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near a stomach region.

22. A method to treat obesity comprising the step of ablating tissue in, at, or near a stomach region to mediate receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach.

23. A system to treat obesity by mediating receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to tissue in, at, or near a stomach region, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue.

24. A system according to claim 23

wherein the treatment agent includes at least vanilloid compound.

25. A method to treat obesity comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent tissue in, at, or near a stomach region, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue to mediate receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach.

26. A method according to claim 25

wherein the treatment agent includes at least one vanilloid compound.

27. A system to treat obesity by moderating expansion of the stomach during intake of food comprising a magnetic source fitted to a region of the stomach, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to another region of the stomach to thereby moderate expansion of the stomach during intake of food.

28. A system according to claim 27

wherein the magnetic source comprises an array of magnets.

29. A system according to claim 28

wherein the array of magnets is carried by a biocompatible fabric.

30. A method to treat obesity comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source to a region of the stomach sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to another region of the stomach to thereby moderate expansion of the stomach during intake of food.