Piezo electrically driven bellows infuser for hydraulically controlling an adjustable gastric band

• US 20050267406A1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hassler, William L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,390,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0003 Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04

Abstract

A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume in a gastric band. A piezoelectrically driven (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic case such as titanium.

Claims

1. An implantable device, comprising:

an accumulator operably configured for selective movement between a first volume and a second volume;

a piezoelectric driver coupled to the accumulator and operably configured to actuate selectively the accumulator between the first volume and the second volume; and

a controller operably configured to control the piezoelectric actuator.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, the implantable device further comprising a case, wherein the accumulator includes a stationary portion coupled to the case and a movable portion, the piezoelectric driver coupled between the case and the movable portion of the accumulator.

3. The implantable device of claim 2, further comprising a transmission forming a lead screw engagement with the case, the piezoelectric driver comprises a harmonic motor operatively configured to rotate the transmission about the lead screw engagement to thereby actuate the accumulator.

4. The implantable device of claim 2, wherein the movable portion includes a levered coupling to the case, the piezoelectric driver comprising a piezoelectric actuator coupled between the lever and the case and operably configured to impart a motion to the levered coupling.

5. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises one selected from a group consisting of a multi-layer piezoelectric stack actuator, a piezoelectric bimorph actuator, and a prestressed piezoelectric composite.

6. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the levered coupling comprises a beam having a first end connected to the movable portion of the accumulator and having a second end including a fulcrum connection to the case, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is connected to the second end of the beam proximate to the fulcrum connection and to the case.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising:

a case encompassing the accumulator; and

a septum exteriorly exposed on the case and in fluid communication with the accumulator.

8. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) circuitry in electrical communication with the piezoelectric driver and controller.

19. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the accumulator comprises a bellows accumulator.

9. An implantable sphincter apparatus, comprising:

a band operably configured to encircle a bodily lumen of a patient;

a fluid bladder attached along an inward portion of the band;

a accumulator in fluid communication with the fluid actuable between a first bladder and volume and a second volume; and

a piezoelectric driver operably configured to selectively actuate the accumulator between the first and second volumes.

10. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a case encompassing the accumulator; and

a transmission positioned between the case and accumulator and operably configured to convert a rotational motion into a longitudinal motion, changing a displacement of the accumulator to the case;

wherein the piezoelectric driver comprises a harmonic motor.

11. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a case encompassing the accumulator; and

a septum exteriorly exposed on the case and in fluid communication with the accumulator.

12. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a case encompassing the accumulator, wherein the case, accumulator and piezoelectric driver comprise nonferrous materials.

13. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, wherein the band comprises an adjustable gastric band.

14. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, wherein the band comprises a selected one of a group consisting of a urinary incontinence treatment band;

a penile impotence treatment band, an esophogeal reflux treatment band, and a fecal incontinence treatment band.

15. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system including an implantable secondary power coil in electrical communication with the piezoelectric driver and a primary power coil positionable external to the patient proximate to the secondary power coil.

21. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second harmonic motor coupled to the transmission.

22. The implantable sphincter apparatus of claim 10, wherein the harmonic motor is one of a plurality of harmonic motors angularly spaced about the transmission to form a force balanced coupling thereto.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a case;

an accumulator encompassed by the case and operably configured for selective movement between a first volume and a second volume; and

a piezoelectric driver coupled to the accumulator and the case operably configured to bi-directionally actuate selectively the accumulator between the first volume and the second volume.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the piezoelectric driver further comprises:

a transmission positioned between the case and accumulator and operably configured to convert a rotational motion into a longitudinal motion, changing a displacement of the accumulator to the case; and

a harmonic motor operably configured to rotate the transmission selectively in a clockwise rotation and a counterclockwise rotation.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system including an implantable secondary power coil in electrical communication with the piezoelectric driver.

20. An implantable device, comprising:

an accumulator operably configured for selective movement between a first volume and a second volume;

a piezoelectric driver means for selectively actuating the accumulator between the first volume and the second volume for bi-directional fluid adjustment; and

a hydraulically adjusted implant device in fluid communication with the accumulator.