Patient Selection Method For Assisting Weight Loss

• US 20070092446A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetaCure Limited (MetaCure (USA), Inc.)
• Inventors: Haddad, Walid, Policker, Shai, Afek, Keren
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/392 Detecting gastrointestinal contractions

Abstract

A method is provided for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device. The method includes identifying the patient as being generally suitable for the implantation and subsequently, measuring a value associated with the patient. Responsively to determining that the value is beyond a threshold associated therewith, the weight-loss assist device is implanted.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device, comprising:

identifying the patient as being generally suitable for the implantation;

subsequently, measuring a value associated with the patient; and

responsively to determining that the value is beyond a threshold associated therewith, implanting the weight-loss assist device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein measuring the value comprises measuring a rate of gastric emptying.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the patient as being generally suitable comprises performing a physical examination and evaluating a medical history of the patient.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein measuring the value comprises a level of weight loss.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein measuring the level of weight loss comprises placing the patient n diet counselling.

6. A method for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation or a weight-loss assist device, comprising:

determining a weight of the patient at first and second times;

determining whether a level of weight loss of the patient from the first time to the second time exceeds a weight loss threshold; and

responsively to determining that the level of weight loss does exceed the weight loss threshold implanting the weight-less assist device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining whether the level weight loss exceeds the weight loss threshold comprises identifying a weight loss reduction corresponding to an excess weight loss of at least 3% during a period lasting between 3 and 6 weeks.

8. A method for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device comprising:

measuring a gastric emptying rate of the patient;

determining whether the gastric emptying rate exceeds a gastric emptying, rate threshold; and

responsively to determining that the gastric emptying rate does exceed the gastric emptying rate threshold, implanting the weight-loss assist device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein determining whether the gastric emptying rate exceeds the gastric emptying rate threshold comprises identifying a gastric emptying, rate corresponding to a level of gastric retention at two hours of less than 40%.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein determining whether the gastric emptying rate exceeds the gastric emptying rate threshold comprises identifying a gastric emptying rate corresponding to a level of gastric retention at two hours of less than 30%.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein determining whether the gastric emptying rate exceeds the gastric emptying rate threshold comprises identifying a gastric emptying rate corresponding to a gastric half-emptying time of less than 110 minutes.

12. The method according to claim 8, comprising:

determining a weight of the patient at first and second times; and

determining whether a level of weight loss of the patient from the first time to the second time exceeds a weight loss threshold,

wherein implanting the weight-loss assist device comprises implanting the weight-loss assist device responsively to determining that the gastric emptying rate exceeds the gastric emptying rate threshold and responsively to determining that the level of weight loss exceeds the weight loss threshold.

13. A method for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device, comprising:

measuring a first rate of gastric activity of the patient, prior to food intake by the patient;

measuring a second rate of gastric activity of the patient, subsequently to the food intake;

comparing a difference between the first and second rates to a threshold; and

in response to the comparing, implanting the weight-loss assist device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein comparing comprises determining whether the difference is above a threshold.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein comparing comprises determining whether the difference is below a threshold.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining comprises subtracting one of the rates from the other rate.

17. The method according t claim 15, wherein determining comprises calculating a ratio of the rates.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be greater than 40%.

19. The method according, to claim 15, wherein determining comprises setting;

the threshold to be less than 40%.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be greater than 5%.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be between 5% and 40%.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be between 15% and 25%.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein measuring the first and second rates of gastric activity comprises measuring first and second rates of propagating slow waves, respectively.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein measuring the first and second rates comprises measuring the rates non invasively.

25. The method according to claim 15, wherein measuring the first and second rates comprises measuring the rates invasively.

26. The method according, to claim 15, wherein measuring the first and second rates comprises temporarily coupling a measurement electrode to a gastric muscle of the patient.

27. A method for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device, comprising:

measuring a first rate of gastric activity of the patient;

subsequently, applying electrical stimulation to the patient;

subsequently, measuring a second rate of gastric activity of the patient;

determining whether a difference between the first and second rates is above a threshold; and

in response to determining that the difference is the threshold, implanting the weight-loss assist device.

28. The method according, to claim 27, wherein measuring the first and second rates of gastric activity comprises measuring, first and second rates of propagating slow waves, respectively.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein measuring the first and second rates comprises temporarily coupling a measurement electrode to a gastric muscle of the patient.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein applying electrical stimulation to the patient comprises temporarily coupling a measurement electrode to a gastric muscle of the patient.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining comprises subtracting one of the rates from other rate.

32. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining comprises calculating a ratio of the rates.

33. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be less than 20%.

34. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be between 20% and 40%.

35. The method according to claim 27, wherein determining comprises setting the threshold to be greater than 40%.