METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PREDICTING PERFORMANCE OF A GASTRIC RESTRICTION SYSTEM

• US 20090192541A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark S., Dlugos, Daniel F. JR., Plescia, David N., Marcotte, Amy L.
• Application Number:
  US12/020,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192541A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0059 with wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for predicting performance of a restriction system for a patient. In general, the methods and devices can allow detection and prediction of a trajectory of a particular patient attribute, such as weight loss. Using previously gathered data values, data values defining a future outcome can be predicted and compared with a desired future outcome. If the future outcome deviates from the desired future outcome, one or more corrective actions can be suggested to a patient and/or a health care provider to help align the patient'"'"'s treatment plan with the desired future outcome rather than the currently predicted future outcome.

Claims

1. A method of affecting a weight loss treatment, comprising:

extrapolating a sequence of future data values using at least two data values gathered in relation to a patient having an implanted restriction device configured to form a restriction in the patient; and

if the sequence of future data values deviates from a desired sequence of future data values, determining a suggested corrective action to address the deviation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein extrapolating a sequence of future data values includes extrapolating a sequence of future data values following the at least two data values.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two data values define a current trend, wherein the desired sequence of future data values define a desired trend, and wherein extrapolating a sequence of future data values includes extrapolating a remedial trend to align the current trend with the desired trend.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two data values reflect a patient condition including any one of weight, weight loss, weight gain, percent excess weight loss, body mass index, satiety level, body dimensions, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising gathering the at least two data values using an implantable sensor device in communication with the restriction device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising gathering the at least two data values using a device external to the patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the suggested corrective action includes modifying a treatment plan of the patient.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the suggested corrective action includes any one of adjusting an amount of fluid disposed within the restriction device, advising the patient to alter a level of physical activity, recommending that the patient adjust diet, and recommending that the patient adjust eating habits.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a notice of the suggested corrective action on a display device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein extrapolating a sequence of future data values includes using any one of a linear extrapolation technique, a conic extrapolation technique, and a polynomial extrapolation technique.

11. A method of affecting a weight loss treatment, comprising:

generating a plot showing a patient indicator plotted over time, wherein the plot includes patient indicator data points related to past treatment history of a patient having an implantable restriction device configured to form a restriction in the patient;

projecting a future trend of the plot; and

if the future trend varies from a desired future trend of the plot, determining a suggested modification of the patient'"'"'s treatment plan to correct for the variation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein projecting a future trend includes extrapolating a sequence of future patient indicator data points following the patient indicator data points related to past treatment history of the patient.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the patient indicator data points related to past treatment history of the patient define a current trend, and wherein projecting a future trend includes extrapolating a remedial trend to align the current trend with the desired future trend.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the patient indicator data points reflect a patient condition including any one of weight, weight loss, weight gain, percent excess weight loss, body mass index, satiety level, body dimension, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the suggested modification includes any one of adjusting an amount of fluid disposed within the restriction device, advising the patient to alter a level of physical activity, recommending that the patient adjust diet, and recommending that the patient adjust eating habits.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein projecting a future trend includes using any one of a linear extrapolation technique, a conic extrapolation technique, and a polynomial extrapolation technique.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying a notice of the suggested modification of the patient'"'"'s treatment plan on a display device.

18. A system for affecting a weight loss treatment, comprising:

a data gathering device configured to gather data that relates to a patient having an implanted restriction device configured to form a restriction in the patient, the data defining a current trend over time; and

a processor configured to be in electronic communication with the data gathering device and effective to extrapolate a future trend from the current trend and, if the future trend deviates from a desired future trend, to determine a suggested corrective action to address the deviation.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising an external display device configured to display a notice of the suggested corrective action.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the data gathering device is implantable in the patient.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the data gathering device is external to the patient.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the data gathering device includes a portable electronic unit configured to allow a user to input data that relates to the patient.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is implantable in the patient.

24. The system of claim 18, further comprising an implantable sensor housing that houses the data gathering device and the processor and that is configured to be in communication with the restriction device.

25. The system of claim 18, further comprising an external unit including the processor.