Endoscopic System For Attaching a Device to a Stomach

• US 20090299434A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Inventors: Lake, Sharon L., Gandhi, Deepak R., Layman, Ted W., Colliou, Olivier K., Imran, Mir A.
• Application Number:
  US12/537,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20090299434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0003 Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/028 having a mainly rigid support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0509 Stomach and intestinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0517 Esophageal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/126 comprising organic polymers

Abstract

A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient'"'"'s stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals. An endoscopic delivery system delivers the functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is attached the stomach wall. The endoscopic instruments attach or remove the attachment devices and functional devices from the stomach and may be used to assist in determining the optimal attachment location.

Claims

1. A method for treating or diagnosing a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a guide from within a stomach so that a portion of the guide extends into a wall of the stomach at an attachment site;

coupling a functional device to the guide, wherein the functional device comprises an anchor and is configured to perform a therapeutic or diagnostic function at the stomach; and

guiding the functional device to the attachment site with the use of the guide from within the stomach so that the anchor of the functional device extends through the stomach wall and engages an outside of the stomach wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional device comprises an elongate portion of the anchor, wherein guiding the functional device comprises advancing the elongate portion of the anchor through the stomach wall, and further comprising inhibiting axial movement of the anchor by capturing the stomach wall between a proximally oriented surface of the anchor and a distally oriented surface of the anchor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising coupling electronic circuitry to the anchor and transmitting signals from the inside of the stomach so as to diagnose and/or electrically stimulate the stomach.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the signals are transmitted along a conductor extending along the elongate portion of the anchor to an electrode coupled to the anchor, and wherein the signals comprise electrical signals, the electrical signals alleviating an obesity of the patient.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the signals are transmitted wirelessly to a processor disposed outside the patient, and wherein the signals are transmitted in response to a sensor disposed within the stomach.