GASTRIC BAND WITH ELECTRIC STIMULATION
First Claim
1. An implantable gastric band for introducing an electrical signal to a splanchnic nerve of a patient, the implantable gastric band configured to be used to treat obesity, comprising:
- a body having a head end including a buckle, and a tail end including a belt tab;
an inflatable member connected to the body between the head end and the tail end;
a conduit for carrying fluid, the conduit configured to be fluidly coupled to the inflatable member;
an electrode attached to the body or the inflatable member, the electrode configured to introduce the electric signal to the splanchnic nerve; and
a wire connected to the electrode, the wire being encapsulated by an insulator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for stimulating one or more nerves by incorporating a gastric band system and an electrical stimulation component. Stimulation electrodes on the gastric band may be used to stimulate the vagal nerve and/or splanchnic nerve, which may inhibit the patient'"'"'s appetite and/or control obesity. The gastric band may have an inflatable member for adjusting a stoma size. The stimulation electrodes may be mounted on the inflatable member. The system may include a controller including a pressure sensor for monitoring the hydraulic pressure within the inflatable inner member and for controlling the stimulation component.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An implantable gastric band for introducing an electrical signal to a splanchnic nerve of a patient, the implantable gastric band configured to be used to treat obesity, comprising:
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a body having a head end including a buckle, and a tail end including a belt tab; an inflatable member connected to the body between the head end and the tail end; a conduit for carrying fluid, the conduit configured to be fluidly coupled to the inflatable member; an electrode attached to the body or the inflatable member, the electrode configured to introduce the electric signal to the splanchnic nerve; and a wire connected to the electrode, the wire being encapsulated by an insulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of stimulating a splanchnic nerve to control an appetite of a patient, comprising:
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determining a first electric signal to be transmitted to an electrode for stimulating the splanchnic nerve; transmitting the first electric signal to the electrode to stimulate the splanchnic nerve; and determining that the electrode successfully received the first electric signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A gastric band system with electrical stimulation, comprising:
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an implantable gastric band having an inflatable member and a stimulation electrode on an inner circumference of the implantable gastric band; an implantable controller coupled to the stimulation electrode, the implantable controller having a power source and circuitry for sending electrical pulses; a flexible cord extending from the gastric band to the implantable controller, the flexible cord enclosing electric wires connecting the stimulation electrode to the implantable controller; and a fluid conduit in communication between the inflatable member and an implanted reservoir, the fluid conduit extending in parallel with the flexible cord, wherein the stimulating electrode is configured to contact a patient'"'"'s stomach region and deliver electric stimulation to a splanchnic nerve in response to receiving an electric pulse from the power source, the electric pulse traversing the electric wires. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A gastric band system with electrical stimulation, comprising:
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an implantable gastric band having an inflatable inner member with an uneven inner circumference having inwardly-directed troughs and peaks on which are mounted a series of stimulation electrodes in the peaks; and an implantable controller including a power source and circuitry for sending electrical pulses to the stimulation electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification