APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CORRECTIVE GUIDANCE OF EATING BEHAVIOR AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

• US 20100228080A1
• Filed: 10/22/2008
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isaac Tavori, Lorentz Fleischer
• Original Assignee: Isaac Tavori, Lorentz Fleischer
• Inventors: Tavori, Isaac, Fleischer, Lorentz (Lior)
• Granted Patent: US 9,293,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/002 for sensing mechanical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0023 for sensing chemical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior.

Claims

1. A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring a parameter related to food currently passing through the GRA;

b) processing the monitored parameter related to food currently passing through the GRA to provide an indication of a current eating pattern; and

c) using the indication of the current eating pattern to modify the eating behavior of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring based on a modified flow meter model.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the parameter is pressure and wherein the step of processing includes processing the monitored pressure into an indication selected from the group consisting of volumetric flow, mass flow and Reynolds number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring intra-corporally.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring includes monitoring extra-corporally.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the indication of the current eating pattern to modify the eating behavior of the patient includes indicating the current eating behavior through a display to the patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring includes obtaining near infrared (NIR) spectra of properties related to food currently passing through the GRA and wherein the step of processing includes processing the NIR spectra into caloric content data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring includes ultrasonic monitoring a stoma orifice state and wherein the step of processing includes processing an acoustic impedance mismatch reflective of the stoma orifice state

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of calibrating the GRA to a desired restriction based on the monitored parameter.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitored parameter is pressure, the method further comprising providing an emergency relief mechanism coupled to the GRA, and using the emergency relief mechanism to automatically release pressure in the GRA when an excessive pressure is indicated by the monitoring.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring is preceded by the step of monitoring the same parameter on a standard food substance to obtain at least one standard food parameter and wherein the step of processing the monitored parameter includes comparing the monitored parameter to the at least one standard food parameter.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using the indication of the current eating pattern to modify the eating behavior of the patient in real time includes administering a hunger controlling substance.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is provided to the patient and wherein the step of using the indication is performed by the patient.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is provided to a physician and wherein the step of using the indication is performed by the physician through appropriate instructions to the patient.

15. An apparatus for modifying the eating behavior of patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA) comprising:

a) monitoring means for monitoring a parameter related to food currently passing through the GRA; and

b) an intra-corporal emergency relief mechanism used to automatically relieve pressure developing due to the food currently passing through the GRA.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the emergency relief mechanism includes a relief valve which is activated by a pressure input provided by the monitoring means.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the parameter is pressure, and wherein the monitoring means include a pressure sensor operative to provide pressure-time data based on a modified flow meter model.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the parameter is nutrient caloric value and wherein the monitoring means include a near infrared source and an infrared detector.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the monitoring means include an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic detector.

20. A method for automatically releasing pressure developing in a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising the steps of:

a) providing an intra-corporal emergency relief mechanism coupled to the GRA;

b) monitoring pressure related to food currently passing through the GRA; and

c) using the emergency relief mechanism to automatically release pressure in the GRA when an excessive pressure is indicated by the monitoring.