POWERING IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEMS USING TEMPERATURE

• US 20090204179A1
• Filed: 02/07/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2008
• 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., Stokes, Michael J., Plescia, David N., Marcotte, Amy L., Doll, Kevin R.
• Application Number:
  US12/027,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20090204179A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0059 with wireless means

Abstract

Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.

Claims

1. A system for forming a restriction in a patient, comprising:

an implantable restriction device adapted to form a restriction in a pathway, the implantable restriction device including a communicating member adapted to utilize a temperature differential to power the implantable restriction device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external energy transfer apparatus having a temperature source operable to create a temperature differential across the communicating member to power the implantable restriction device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communicating member is configured to utilize a temperature differential between the temperature source and an anatomical reference temperature to produce energy to power the implantable restriction device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature source comprises a cold liquid or cold solid.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature source comprises a thermoelectric cooler.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature source comprises a heat source.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the external energy transfer apparatus includes a gauge effective to indicate whether a temperature differential between the temperature source and the communicating member is effective to power the implantable restriction device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the communicating member comprises a thermogenerator.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable restriction device comprises a gastric band and a housing in communication with the gastric band.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communicating member is disposed in the housing.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the communicating member is configured to receive and transmit data.

12. A method for providing power to an implantable restriction device, comprising:

placing a temperature source on or near a tissue surface adjacent to a communicating member disposed within an implantable restriction device implanted in a patient, the communicating member utilizing a temperature differential to power the implantable restriction device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature source is on an external device, and the external device receives data from the communicating member.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating member comprises a thermogenerator that powers the implantable restriction device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature source is ice placed on or near a tissue surface adjacent to the thermogenerator creating a temperature differential with an anatomical reference temperature across the thermogenerator to produce electrical current to power the implantable restriction device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature source is a thermoelectric cooler placed on or near a tissue surface adjacent to the thermogenerator creating a temperature differential with an anatomical reference temperature across the thermogenerator to produce electrical current to power the implantable restriction device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature source is a heating source placed on or near a tissue surface adjacent to the thermogenerator creating a temperature differential with an anatomical reference temperature across the thermogenerator to produce electrical current to power the implantable restriction device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the temperature source is a blood vessel creating a temperature differential with an anatomical reference temperature across the thermogenerator to produce electrical current to power the implantable restriction device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the external device includes a gauge that indicates whether a temperature differential exists between the temperature source and the communicating member effective to power the implantable restriction device.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the data includes at least one measurement of pressure of fluid within the implantable restriction device.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the implantable restriction device comprises a gastric band disposed around a stomach to form a restriction, and a housing in communication with the gastric band.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating member measures a pressure and temperature of fluid in the implantable restriction device.