System for Controlling a Controllable Stomach Band

• US 20090306462A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wolfgang Lechner
• Original Assignee: Wolfgang Lechner
• Inventors: Lechner, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 8,622,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0016 comprising measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0059 with wireless means

Abstract

The invention relates to system for controlling a controllable gastric band (1), comprising a control unit (11), wherein the gastric band (1) includes a nonextensible back (4) and a chamber (2) arranged on the stoma side of the back and capable of being filled with a fluid, which chamber is in connection with a second chamber (5) and has at least one sensor (7) for the detection of the pressure on the gastric wall, and wherein the sensor (7) is connected with a device (8) for the wireless transmission of the detected pressure values to the control unit (11), and wherein the control unit (11) includes a device (13) for receiving transmitted pressure data from the at least one sensor (7) of the gastric band (1), as well as a housing (12). In order to ensure the optimum adjustment of the gastric band (1) and a self-control by the patient (P), at least one memory (9, 14) for storing the pressure values detected and a device (16) for processing the time courses of the pressure values detected are provided.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a controllable gastric band (1), comprising a control unit (11), wherein the gastric band (1) includes a non-extensible back (4) and a chamber (2) arranged on the stoma side of the back (4) and capable of being filled with a fluid, which chamber is in connection with a second chamber (5) and has at least one sensor (7) for the detection of the pressure on the gastric wall (3), and wherein the sensor (7) is connected with a device (8) for the wireless transmission of the detected pressure values to the control unit (11), and wherein the control unit (11) includes a device (13) for receiving transmitted pressure data from the at least one sensor (7) of the gastric band (1), as well as a housing (12), characterized in that there is provided at least one memory (9, 14) for storing the pressure values detected and a device (16) for processing the time courses of the pressure values received.

2. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission device (8) is comprised of a high-frequency transmitter and that the receiving device (13) is comprised of a high-frequency receiver.

3. The control system according to claim 2, characterized in that the high-frequency transmitter is comprised of a passive transmitter.

4. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission device (8) and the receiving device (13) are comprised of a high-frequency transponder.

5. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one pressure sensor (7) is comprised of a piezoelectric sensor.

6. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a memory (9) is provided in the gastric band (1).

7. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a memory (14) is arranged in the control unit (11).

8. The control system according claim 1, characterized in that a display (15) is provided in the control unit (11).

9. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (16) for processing the pres-sure values received is comprised of a microprocessor.

10. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a time module (17) is provided in the control unit (11).

11. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one operating element (18) is provided in the control unit (11).

12. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a signal generator is provided in the control unit (11).

13. The control system according to claim 12, characterized in that the signal generator is comprised of a loudspeaker (20).

14. The control system according to claim 12, characterized in that the signal generator is comprised of an oscillation generator (21).

15. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that an interface (22) is provided in the con-troll unit (11).

16. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (12) of the control unit (11) is in the form of a watch (23) with an appropriate watch strap (24).

17. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a device for introducing or sucking off fluid into or from the chamber (2) of the gastric band (1) is provided to enable the optimization of the pressure in the chamber (2) on the basis of the detected and evaluated pressure values.

18. The control system according to claim 17, characterized in that the device for introducing or sucking off fluid is comprised of a pump (25) arranged in the connection (6) between the chamber (2) and the second chamber (5).

19. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a sensor (26) for measuring the swallowing activity is provided, which sensor (26) is connected with a device (27) for the wireless transmission of the detected sensor values to the control unit (11).

20. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a line (28) for connecting the control unit (11) with a communication device, in particular a computer (29) or a telephone, is provided.

21. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second chamber (5) of the gastric band (1) is comprised of a port to be arranged subcutaneously.

22. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (2, 5) of the gastric band are connected with each other via a duct (6), wherein at least one device (10) for controlling the flow rate of the fluid is provided in the duct (6).

23. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing device (16) is configurated for detecting the duration and speed of an eating process.

24. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing device (16) is configured for evaluating the amplitude and the duration of the detected pressure values during an eating process.

25. A method for controlling an implanted gastric band (1) including a fluid-filled chamber (2), wherein the pressure on the gastric wall (3) is measured and the amount of fluid in the chamber (2) of the gastric band (1) is adjusted on the basis of the determined pressure, characterized in that the pressure values are continuously measured and the duration and speed of an eating process are determined from the measured pressure values.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the amplitude and duration of the increases in the pressure values during an eating process are evaluated to conclude therefrom a change in the motoric performances of the esophagus.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, based on the determined and evaluated pressure values, the adjustment of the fluid pressure in the chamber of the gastric band (1) is optimized.