METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

• US 20130178912A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EndoStim, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EndoStim, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharma, Virender K.
• Application Number:
  US13/661,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20130178912A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

The specification discloses methods and devices for electrically stimulating one or more structures in the gastrointestinal tract. The one or more structures are preferably selected from the upper esophageal sphincter, the esophagus and gastric fundus. The method may involve the step of arranging a plurality of stimulating electrodes adjacent one or more structures which may further include the lower esophageal sphincter, the stomach, the pyloric sphincter, the small intestine, the colon and the vagus. The method and device may further include sensing electrodes to detect change in one or more physiological parameters in the gastrointestinal tract and modulate the stimulating electrodes in response to the change. The device comprises a pulse generator, a power source, a plurality of stimulating electrode set, one or more sensing electrodes and means for varying activity of the stimulating electrodes in response to change detected in the gastrointestinal tract. The method and device may be used to treat obesity and/or GERD.

Claims

1. A method of increasing a tone of a patient'"'"'s lower esophageal sphincter comprising:

Arranging at least one stimulating electrode within a portion of said lower esophageal sphincter wherein said electrode is arranged to directly electrically stimulate the lower esophageal sphincter; and

Programming a pulse generator to trigger the stimulating electrode to generate an electrical stimulation of said lower esophageal sphincter wherein said electrical stimulation increases the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.