Methods and Devices for Treating Morbid Obesity Using Hydrogel
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a sensor device configured for implantation within a patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract, wherein the sensor device comprises a hydrogel configured to sense a physiological parameter associated with consumption of food by the patient, wherein the hydrogel is configured to swell or collapse in response to sensing a physiological parameter associated with consumption of food by the patient; and
(b) a restriction forming device configured for implantation within the patient, wherein the restriction forming device is configured to form a restriction in an anatomical structure of the patient, wherein the restriction forming device is coupled with the sensor device, wherein the restriction forming device is configured to selectively vary the degree of restriction formed by the restriction forming device based at least in part on whether the hydrogel is in a swelled state or a collapsed state.
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Abstract
An environmentally sensitive hydrogel material swells or collapses in response to a parameter such as pH level associated with consumption of food by a patient. This swelling or collapsing is harnessed to treat morbid obesity or some other condition of the patient. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may be used to tighten a gastric band or gastric valve when the patient starts eating; then loosen the band or valve when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to increase the size of a space occupying device in the patient'"'"'s stomach when the patient starts eating; then decrease the size of the space occupying device when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to selectively restrict the absorption of nutrients within a patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract, such as in the duodenum.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a sensor device configured for implantation within a patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract, wherein the sensor device comprises a hydrogel configured to sense a physiological parameter associated with consumption of food by the patient, wherein the hydrogel is configured to swell or collapse in response to sensing a physiological parameter associated with consumption of food by the patient; and (b) a restriction forming device configured for implantation within the patient, wherein the restriction forming device is configured to form a restriction in an anatomical structure of the patient, wherein the restriction forming device is coupled with the sensor device, wherein the restriction forming device is configured to selectively vary the degree of restriction formed by the restriction forming device based at least in part on whether the hydrogel is in a swelled state or a collapsed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a pouch, wherein the pouch is sized to be located within a patient'"'"'s stomach, wherein the pouch is formed of a material resistant to gastric liquids, wherein the pouch is configured to permit communication of gastric fluids through the pouch to reach an internal portion of the pouch; and (b) one or more hydrogel pellets within the internal portion of the pouch, wherein the one or more hydrogel pellets are configured to swell in response to pH levels of gastric fluids indicating consumption of food by a patient to reduce the available volume within the patient'"'"'s stomach. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification