Artificial gastric valve

• US 20060235448A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Shiloh, Mitchell Steven Roslin
• Original Assignee: Joseph Shiloh, Mitchell Steven Roslin
• Inventors: Shiloh, Joseph, Roslin, Mitchell Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0043 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for treating overweight and obese patients by applying a restrictive Artificial Gastric Valve (AGV) on part of the stomach. The apparatus includes a mechanism to control the opening of the AGV automatically on demand, dynamically and progressively. The controlled opening of the AGV inside the stomach controls and regulates the flow of food.

Claims

1. A method for treating overweight and obese patients, comprising:

applying a restrictive artificial gastric valve on a predetermined part of the GI tract; and

controlling automatically the opening of the artificial gastric valve in real time to progressively control the opening inside the GI tract and to control and regulate the flow of food, as food is ingested or at times food is expected to be ingested.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the artificial gastric valve restricts and relaxes the opening inside the GI tract.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the opening inside the GI tract is restricted and relaxed at predetermined times.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the opening inside the GI tract is restricted and relaxed in response to a signal from a sensor.

5. The method of claim 1 which includes a plurality of artificial gastric valves.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the restriction of the artificial gastric valve is initiated by the start of eating or other bodily functions related to eating.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with a mechanical ring shape having a diameter that is changed with a motor.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with a piston pushing liquid in and out of a balloon inside the artificial gastric valve.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed by a motor pushing liquid inside a bellow container in and out of a balloon inside the AGV.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with liquid or gas stored in a reservoir in the body and pushed in and out of a balloon inside the artificial gastric valve with a pump.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a battery supplies electrical power for changing the diameter of the artificial gastric valve.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein a rechargeable battery supplies electrical power for changing the diameter of the artificial gastric valve, and the battery is charged with a remote charger located outside the body.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a dilating intra luminal device is located inside the stomach and placed endoscopically

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial gastric valve is disposed on a part of the GI tract other than the stomach.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial gastric valve is disposed on the stomach.

16. The method according to claim 1 which is controlled by a control algorithm that can be changed from the outside via wireless communication.

17. An apparatus for treating overweight and obese patients, comprising:

a restrictive artificial gastric valve which is disposed on a predetermined part of the GI tract; and

a control system for controlling automatically the opening of the artificial gastric valve in real time to progressively control the opening inside the GI tract and to control and regulate the flow of food, as food is ingested or at times food is expected to be ingested.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the artificial gastric valve restricts and relaxes the opening inside the GI tract.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the opening inside the GI tract is restricted and relaxed at predetermined times.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the opening inside the GI tract is restricted and relaxed in response to a signal from a sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 which includes a plurality of artificial gastric valves.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the restriction of the artificial gastric valve is initiated by the start of eating or other bodily functions related to eating.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with a mechanical ring shape having a diameter that is changed with a motor.

24. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with a piston pushing liquid in and out of a balloon inside the artificial gastric valve.

25. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed a motor pushing liquid inside a bellow container in and out of a balloon inside the AGV.

26. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control of the artificial gastric valve is performed with liquid or gas stored in a reservoir in the body and pushed in and out of a balloon inside the artificial gastric valve with a pump.

27. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a battery supplies electrical power for changing the diameter of the artificial gastric valve.

28. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a rechargeable battery supplies electrical power for changing the diameter of the artificial gastric valve, and the battery is charged with a remote charger located outside the body.

29. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a dilating intra luminal device is located inside the stomach and placed endoscopically

30. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the artificial gastric valve is disposed on a part of the GI tract other than the stomach.

31. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sensor is adapted for placement in the mouth of a subject.

32. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sensor is adapted for placement on an extremity of a subject.

33. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the sensor is adapted for placement on the GI tract of a subject.

34. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sensor is responsive to bodily actions selected from the group comprising receptive relaxation of the stomach, saliva secretion, chewing, swallowing, secretion of hormones, changes in blood glucose level, changes in heart rate variability or expansion of the stomach, or other changes in stomach such as change in its electrical parameters including impedance.

35. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sensor is responsive to energy selected from the group comprising ultrasound, infrared, electrical, radio frequency or magnetic energy.

36. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the sensor is responsive to a measure of increased blood flow to the stomach, temperature change, change in local chemistry, or a change in local environment.

37. The apparatus according to claim 17 which further includes a memory for storing information related to the operation of the AGV.

38. The apparatus according to claim 17 which further includes a memory for storing information that can be extracted for external use.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the information includes dietary information.

40. The apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the information includes blood sugar measurements.

41. The apparatus according to claim 17 which includes a control algorithm that can be changed from the outside via wireless communication.

42. A device that augments the natural response of the body to eating by reducing food intake, which comprises an electronically controlled valve which is controlled in real time, and a controller that progressively causes the valve to physically restrict and relax part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in order to control and regulate the flow of food, as food is ingested or at times food is expected to be ingested.

43. A method for augmenting the natural response of the body to eating by reducing food intake, comprising electronically controlling in real time a valve, and progressively causing the valve to physically restrict and relax part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in order to control and regulate the flow of food, as food is ingested or at times food is expected to be ingested.