Management Systems For The Surgically Treated Obese Patient

• US 20060189889A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 : Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 : for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 : Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 : End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 : by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/044 : Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0083 : Reducing the size of the stomach, e.g. gastroplasty surgical interventions A61B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 : of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

In one embodiment, a pressure sensing system is described which transmits data to a patient management system external to a patient. The pressure sensing system can rigidly couple to an implantable port or flexibly couple to an implantable port. In some embodiments, the pressure sensing system communicates with a hydraulic actuating system. In some embodiments, the pressure sensing system is implantable and comprises a circuit capable of wireless transmission through the skin of a patient to an external receiver which is part of a patient management system. A patient management system is described which receives up to date as well as historical data from the pressure sensing system and manages the these data in the context of a patient database.

Claims

1. A fluid access port with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end operable to be accessed for fluid injection and the distal end operable to receive fluid and deliver it to a fluid receiving structure in a patient, the fluid access port comprising:

a. A pressure sensing system constructed to be handheld wherein the pressure sensing system is hydraulically coupled to the fluid access port and wherein the pressure sensing system comprises;

i. A pressure sensor;

ii. A circuit operable to receive a pressure related signal from the pressure sensor and generate an output signal.

2. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing system further comprises a physically connected power source.

3. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensing system is rigidly coupled to said fluid access port.

4. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing system is constructed so as to be implantable in a patient.

5. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing system is placed within a moisture proof and biocompatible package.

6. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing system is coupled to the fluid access port through a needle placed through the skin.

7. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the circuit comprises a transmitter capable of transmitting data through the abdominal wall of a patient.

8. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises a microcontroller which is programmed to power on and power off between samplings.

9. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the circuit further comprises an inductor circuit constructed so as to transmit electrical energy across the skin of a patient.

10. The fluid access port of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensing system is reversibly attachable to the fluid access port when the fluid access port is implanted in a patient and the pressure sensing system is external to the patient.

11. The fluid access port of claim 1 further comprising:

an elongate tube with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end arising from the pressure sensor and containing a fluid wherein the fluid is inert at least to the pressure sensor and the material of the elongate tube;

a protective material coupled to the distal portion of the elongate tube, the protective material inert to the inert material inside the elongate tube; and

, wherein the combination of the inert material inside the elongate tube and the protective material at the distal end of the elongate tube maintain hydraulic continuity between the access port and the pressure sensor.

12. A system to manage an implant comprising:

a. a sensing system coupled to an implant;

b. a polymeric actuator hydraulically coupled to the implant;

c. a microcontroller which incorporates a signal from the sensing system and sends a signal to the actuator;

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the polymeric actuator is coupled to an access port and wherein the access port of the implant is constructed so as to serve as a reservoir for fluid.

14. A system to manage a surgical implant comprising:

A receiver constructed so as to communicate with a pressure sensing system, the pressure sensing system hydraulically coupled to the implant, the receiver further configured to output information to a software program.

15. The system of claim 14 further wherein the receiver can receive a signal transmitted wirelessly.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the pressure sensing system is external to a patient.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the pressure sensing system is internal to a patient.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the software program further comprises a patient algorithm.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the software program maintains records of usage information of the system.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the system is adapted for home use by a patient.