Device for non-invasive measurement of fluid pressure in an adjustable restriction device

• US 20060189888A1
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Perry, Lauren S., Hassler, William L. Jr., Holscher, Russell L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0226 having means for protecting the interior of the access site from damage due to the insertion of a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0238 having means for locating the implanted device to insure proper injection, e.g. radio-emitter, protuberances, radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276

Abstract

A restriction system, such as an adjustable gastric band, for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The system includes a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction. The system further includes an implanted port connected to the restriction device. The port contains a working fluid for affecting the size of the restriction. The system further includes a pressure sensing system in communication with the working fluid for measuring the pressure of the working fluid and transmitting pressure measurement data to an external monitor.

Claims

1. A restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor, the system comprising:

a. a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction therein;

b. an implanted port connected to said restriction device, said port containing a working fluid for affecting the size of the restriction; and

c. a pressure sensing system in communication with said working fluid for measuring the pressure of said working fluid and transmitting pressure measurement data to an external monitor.

2. The restriction system of claim 1, wherein the pressure of said working fluid is proportional to the degree of restriction formed.

3. The restriction system of claim 2, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a mechanically deformable surface in contact with said working fluid, and wherein said surface deforms in proportion to the pressure of said working fluid.

4. The restriction system of claim 3, wherein said mechanically deformable surface has mechanical deformations thereon which are converted into an electrical signal indicative of the pressure within said working fluid.

5. The restriction system of claim 4, wherein said pressure sensing system comprises two or more variable resistance elements attached to said deformable surface, the resistance of the elements vary in response to mechanical deformations of the surface;

and wherein the resistance elements are connected in an electrical circuit, wherein the output of the circuit provides a measurement of said working fluid pressure.

6. The restriction system of claim 1, wherein said restriction device is an adjustable gastric band.

7. The restriction system of claim 4, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a variable capacitance capacitor, the capacitance of said capacitor varying in response to pressure changes in the working fluid, the variation in the capacitance providing a measurement of said working fluid pressure.

8. The restriction system of claim 4, wherein said working fluid is transferable between said port and said restriction device in a closed fluid circuit to affect the size of the restriction.

9. The restriction system of claim 4, wherein said pressure sensing system measures said working fluid pressure and transmits said pressure measurement data to said external monitor during an adjustment of said restriction device.

10. The restriction system of claim 4, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a variable inductance coil adjacent said deformable surface, the inductance of said coil varying in response to pressure changes in said working fluid, said variation in inductance providing a measurement of said working fluid pressure.

11. A restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor, the system comprising:

a. a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction therein, said restriction member having a variable fluid volume for creating a restriction;

b. a control operatively connected to said restriction member for varying the volume of said restriction member; and

c. a pressure sensing system for measuring fluid pressure within said restriction member and non-invasively communicating the measured pressure to said external monitor, the measured pressure being proportional to the degree of restriction formed in the stomach.

12. The restriction system of claim 11, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a mechanically deformable surface in contact with said working fluid, and wherein said surface deforms in proportion to the pressure of said working fluid.

13. The restriction system of claim 12, wherein said mechanically deformable surface has mechanical deformations thereon which are converted into an electrical signal indicative of the pressure within said working fluid.

14. The restriction system of claim 13, wherein said pressure sensing system comprises two or more variable resistance elements attached to said deformable surface, the resistance of the elements vary in response to mechanical deformations of the surface;

and wherein the resistance elements are connected in an electrical circuit, wherein the output of the circuit provides a measurement of said working fluid pressure.

15. The restriction system of claim 11, wherein said restriction device is an adjustable gastric band.

16. The restriction system of claim 13, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a variable capacitance capacitor, the capacitance of said capacitor varying in response to pressure changes in the working fluid, the variation in the capacitance providing a measurement of said working fluid pressure.

17. The restriction system of claim 13, wherein said working fluid is transferable between said port and said restriction device in a closed fluid circuit to affect the size of the restriction.

18. The restriction system of claim 13, wherein said pressure sensing system measures said working fluid pressure and transmits said pressure measurement data to said external monitor during an adjustment of said restriction device.

19. The restriction system of claim 13, wherein said pressure sensing system includes a variable inductance coil adjacent said deformable surface, the inductance of said coil varying in response to pressure changes in said working fluid, said variation in inductance providing a measurement of said working fluid pressure.