Remote control food intake restriction device

• US 6,210,347 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Obtech Medical AG (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Peter Forsell
• Inventors: Forsell, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/133,319
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 600/593, 600/151, 600/157, 600/30, 600/31, 600/32, 600/38, 600/40, 604/97, 604/99, 604/51, 604/28, 128/898, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/593
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0003 Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable

Abstract

A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprises an elongated restriction member to be formed into at least a substantially closed loop defining a restriction opening, and a controllable adjustment device for adjusting the restriction member in the loop to change the size of the restriction opening. The device further comprises a wireless remote control for controlling the adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body in a non-invasive manner to assist in treating the patient for morbid obesity.

Claims

1. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device which mechanically or hydraulically adjusts said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening,

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body; and

wherein said remote control transfers wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor for operating said adjustment device.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an energizer unit for providing energy to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said energizer unit draws energy from said wireless signals as they are transmitted by said signal transmitter.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said adjustment device is powered with said energy drawn from said wireless signals by said energizer unit.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said wireless signals comprise electromagnetic wave signals and said energizer unit draws radiant energy from said electromagnetic wave signals as they are transmitted and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

8. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit implanted in the patient for controlling said energizer unit.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter and a signal receiver for controlling said adjustment device in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said remote control comprises a motor for operating said adjustment device.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said remote control comprises an energizer unit for providing energy for the power of said motor.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said signal receiver comprises a control unit for powering said motor with energy provided by said energizer unit in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said energizer unit comprises a power supply.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said power supply is an electric power supply and said motor is an electric motor.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said electric power supply comprises a battery.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said energizer unit comprises a rechargeable electric power supply for storing said electric energy.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said rechargeable electric power supply in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein said electric power supply comprises a capacitor.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein said electric motor is a stepping motor.

21. The device according to claim 16, wherein said signals transmitted by said signal transmitter comprise electromagnetic wave signals.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein said energizer unit comprises a coil connected to said signal receiver for inducing an alternating current as electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted through said coil to said signal receiver and a rectifier for rectifying said alternating current.

23. The device according to claim 12, wherein said energizer unit comprises a battery, an electrically operable switch for connecting said battery to said signal receiver in an ON mode when said switch is powered and for keeping said battery disconnected from said signal receiver in a STANDBY mode when said switch is unpowered, and a rechargeable electric power supply for powering said switch.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said battery in response to signals received from said signal transmitter, when said switch is in its ON mode.

25. The device according to claim 23, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into a current for charging said rechargeable electric power supply.

26. The device according to claim 23, wherein said rechargeable electric power supply is a capacitor.

27. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device for adjusting said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening,

a motor for operating said adjustment device, and

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein said remote control transfers wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device including said motor.

29. The device according to claim 27, further comprising an energizer unit for providing energy to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device including said motor.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein said motor is powered with said energy drawn from said wireless signals by said energizer unit.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein said motor is an electric motor, said wireless signals comprise electromagnetic wave signals and said energizer unit draws radiant energy from said electromagnetic wave signals as they are transmitted and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

33. The device according to claim 29, further comprising a control unit implanted in the patient for controlling said energizer unit.

34. The device according to claim 27, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter and a signal receiver for controlling said adjustment device in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein said remote control comprises an energizer unit for providing energy for the power of said motor.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein said signal receiver comprises a control unit for powering said motor with energy provided by said energizer unit in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

37. The device according to claim 35, wherein said energizer unit comprises a power supply.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said power supply is an electric power supply and said motor is an electric motor.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein said electric power supply comprises a battery.

40. The device according to claim 36, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

41. The device according to claim 40, wherein said energizer unit comprises a rechargeable electric power supply for storing said electric energy.

42. The device according to claim 41, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said rechargeable electric power supply in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

43. The device according to claim 41, wherein said electric power supply comprises a capacitor.

44. The device according to claim 42, wherein said electric motor is a stepping motor.

45. The device according to claim 40, wherein said signals transmitted by said signal transmitter comprise electromagnetic wave signals.

46. The device according to claim 45, wherein said energizer unit comprises a coil connected to said signal receiver for inducing an alternating current as electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted through said coil to said signal receiver and a rectifier for rectifying said alternating current.

47. The device according to claim 36, wherein said energizer unit comprises a battery, an electrically operable switch for connecting said battery to said signal receiver in an ON mode when said switch is powered and for keeping said battery disconnected from said signal receiver in a STANDBY mode when said switch is unpowered, and a rechargeable electric power supply for powering said switch.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said battery in response to signals received from said signal transmitter, when said switch is in its ON mode.

49. The device according to claim 47, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into a current for charging said rechargeable electric power supply.

50. The device according to claim 47, wherein said rechargeable electric power supply is a capacitor.

51. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated inflatable restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a pump for pumping a fluid to and from said restriction member to inflate and deflate the restriction member to change the size of said restriction opening,

a wireless remote control for controlling said pump from outside the patient'"'"'s body; and

wherein said remote control transfers wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

52. The device according to claim 51, further comprising a motor for operating said pump.

53. The device according to claim 51, further comprising an energizer unit for providing energy to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

54. The device according to claim 53, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

55. The device according to claim 54, wherein said energizer unit draws energy from said wireless signals as they are transmitted by said signal transmitter.

56. The device according to claim 55, wherein said adjustment device is powered with said energy drawn from said wireless signals by said energizer unit.

57. The device according to claim 56, wherein said wireless signals comprise electromagnetic wave signals and said energizer unit draws radiant energy from said electromagnetic wave signals as they are transmitted and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

58. The device according to claim 53, further comprising a control unit implanted in the patient for controlling said energizer unit.

59. The device according to claim 57, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter and a signal receiver for controlling said adjustment device in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

60. The device according to claim 59, wherein said remote control comprises a motor for operating said pump.

61. The device according to claim 60, wherein said remote control comprises an energizer unit for providing energy for the power of said motor.

62. The device according to claim 61, wherein said signal receiver comprises a control unit for powering said motor with energy provided by said energizer unit in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

63. The device according to claim 61, wherein said energizer unit comprises a power supply.

64. The device according to claim 63, wherein said power supply is an electric power supply and said motor is an electric motor.

65. The device according to claim 64, wherein said electric power supply comprises a battery.

66. The device according to claim 62, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

67. The device according to claim 66, wherein said energizer unit comprises a rechargeable electric power supply for storing said electric energy.

68. The device according to claim 67, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said rechargeable electric power supply in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

69. The device according to claim 67, wherein said electric power supply comprises a capacitor.

70. The device according to claim 68, wherein said electric motor is a stepping motor.

71. The device according to claim 66, wherein said signals transmitted by said signal transmitter comprise electromagnetic wave signals.

72. The device according to claim 71, wherein said energizer unit comprises a coil connected to said signal receiver for inducing an alternating current as electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted through said coil to said signal receiver and a rectifier for rectifying said alternating current.

73. The device according to claim 62, wherein said energizer unit comprises a battery, an electrically operable switch for connecting said battery to said signal receiver in an ON mode when said switch is powered and for keeping said battery disconnected from said signal receiver in a STANDBY mode when said switch is unpowered, and a rechargeable electric power supply for powering said switch.

74. The device according to claim 73, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said battery in response to signals received from said signal transmitter, when said switch is in its ON mode.

75. The device according to claim 73, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into a current for charging said rechargeable electric power supply.

76. The device according to claim 73, wherein said rechargeable electric power supply is a capacitor.

77. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

a non-inflatable elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device for adjusting said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening, and

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

78. The device according to claim 77, wherein said remote control transfers wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

79. The device according to claim 77, further comprising a motor for operating said adjustment device.

80. The device according to claim 77, further comprising an energizer unit for providing energy to implanted energy consuming components of the food intake restriction device.

81. The device according to claim 80, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

82. The device according to claim 81, wherein said energizer unit draws energy from said wireless signals as they are transmitted by said signal transmitter.

83. The device according to claim 82, wherein said adjustment device is powered with said energy drawn from said wireless signals by said energizer unit.

84. The device according to claim 83, wherein said wireless signals comprise electromagnetic wave signals and said energizer unit draws radiant energy from said electromagnetic wave signals as they are transmitted and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

85. The device according to claim 80, further comprising a control unit implanted in the patient for controlling said energizer unit.

86. The device according to claim 77, wherein said remote control comprises a separate signal transmitter and a signal receiver for controlling said adjustment device in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

87. The device according to claim 86, wherein said remote control comprises a motor for operating said adjustment device.

88. The device according to claim 87, wherein said remote control comprises an energizer unit for providing energy for the power of said motor.

89. The device according to claim 88, wherein said signal receiver comprises a control unit for powering said motor with energy provided by said energizer unit in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

90. The device according to claim 88, wherein said energizer unit comprises a power supply.

91. The device according to claim 90, wherein said power supply is an electric power supply and said motor is an electric motor.

92. The device according to claim 91, wherein said electric power supply comprises a battery.

93. The device according to claim 89, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into electric energy.

94. The device according to claim 93, wherein said energizer unit comprises a rechargeable electric power supply for storing said electric energy.

95. The device according to claim 94, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said rechargeable electric power supply in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

96. The device according to claim 94, wherein said electric power supply comprises a capacitor.

97. The device according to claim 95, wherein said electric motor is a stepping motor.

98. The device according to claim 93, wherein said signals transmitted by said signal transmitter comprise electromagnetic wave signals.

99. The device according to claim 98, wherein said energizer unit comprises a coil connected to said signal receiver for inducing an alternating current as electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted through said coil to said signal receiver and a rectifier for rectifying said alternating current.

100. The device according to claim 89, wherein said energizer unit comprises a battery, an electrically operable switch for connecting said battery to said signal receiver in an ON mode when said switch is powered and for keeping said battery disconnected from said signal receiver in a STANDBY mode when said switch is unpowered, and a rechargeable electric power supply for powering said switch.

101. The device according to claim 100, wherein said motor is an electric motor and said control unit powers said electric motor with energy from said battery in response to signals received from said signal transmitter, when said switch is in its ON mode.

102. The device according to claim 100, wherein said energizer unit draws radiant energy from signals transmitted by said signal transmitter and transfers said radiant energy into a current for charging said rechargeable electric power supply.

103. The device according to claim 100, wherein said rechargeable electric power supply is a capacitor.

104. The device according to claim 77, wherein said adjustment device is designed to mechanically adjust said non-inflatable restriction member.

105. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device which adjusts said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening, and

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment means from outside the patient'"'"'s body, said remote control including a motor for operating said adjustment device, an energizer unit for providing energy, and a separate signal transmitter and signal receiver, said signal receiver including a control unit for powering said motor with energy provided by said energizer unit in response to signals received from said signal transmitter.

106. A method of treating morbid obesity, comprising:

(a) inflating the abdomen of a patient with morbid obesity by penetration of the patient'"'"'s skin;

(b) introducing at least two laparascopic trocars into the abdomen;

(c) introducing an elongated restriction member of a food intake restriction device through the laparascopic trocars;

(d) forming the elongated restriction member into an at least substantially closed loop around the stomach or esophagus of the patient to form a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus, the loop defining a restriction opening; and

then

(e) when necessary for the patient'"'"'s health or desired progress, in a non-invasive procedure, using a wireless remote control device to adjust the restriction member to change the size of the restriction opening.

107. A method as recited in claim 106, wherein (c) is practiced in part by also implanting a motor or pump which is part of an adjustment device for acting on the restriction member to control the size of the restriction opening.

108. A method as recited in claim 106, wherein (c) is practiced in part by implanting an adjustment device for acting on the restriction member to control the size of the restriction opening, and (e) is practiced by using the wireless remote control device to transfer wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to the implanted adjustment device for activating the adjustment device to adjust the restriction member to change the size of the restriction opening.

109. A method as recited in claim 108, wherein (e) is practiced by using the wireless remote control device to transmit electromagnetic wave signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body to inside the patient'"'"'s body, and ultimately transforming the electromagnetic wave signals into energy for activating the adjustment device.

110. A method of treating morbid obesity, comprising:

(a) surgically implanting in the abdomen of a patient with morbid obesity a food intake restriction device which forms a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus, by forming an elongated restriction member into at least a substantially closed loop around the stomach or esophagus of the patient, the loop defining a restriction opening, and an adjustment device for acting on the restriction member to control the size of the restriction member; and

then

(b) when necessary for the patient'"'"'s health or desired progress, in a non-invasive procedure, using a wireless remote control device to transfer wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to the implanted adjustment device for activating the adjustment device to adjust the restriction member to change the size of the restriction opening.

113. A method of treating morbid obesity, comprising:

(a) surgically implanting in the abdomen of a patient with morbid obesity a food intake restriction device which forms a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus, by forming an elongated restriction member into at least a substantially closed loop around the stomach or esophagus of the patient, the loop defining a restriction opening, and surgically implanting a motor operatively connected to the restriction member to adjust the size of the restriction member; and

then

(b) when necessary for the patient'"'"'s health or desired progress, in a non-invasive procedure, using a wireless remote control device to control the motor to adjust the restriction member to change the size of the restriction opening.

114. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device which adjusts said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening,

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body, and

an implanted capacitor for storing electric energy, said wireless remote control controlling said capacitor to supply energy to implanted energy consuming components of the apparatus.

115. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device which adjusts said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening,

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body,

an implanted power supply for supplying energy to implanted energy consuming components of said device, and

a switch controlled by said wireless remote control to connect amid power supply to and disconnect said power supply from said energy consuming components.

116. A food intake restriction device for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of a patient, comprising:

an elongated restriction member formed into at least a substantially closed loop around the patient'"'"'s stomach or esophagus, said loop defining a restriction opening,

a controllable adjustment device for adjusting said restriction member in said loop to change the size of said restriction opening,

implanted energy consuming components of said device,

a wireless remote control for controlling said adjustment device from outside the patient'"'"'s body, and

an implanted rechargeable power supply controlled by said wireless remote control to supply energy to said implant energy consuming components, and rechargeable from exteriorly of the patient'"'"'s body.

111. A method as recited in claim 116, wherein (b) is practiced by transmitting wave signals from outside the patient'"'"'s body to inside the patient'"'"'s body, and ultimately transforming the wave signals into energy for activating the adjustment device.

112. A method as recited in claim 116, wherein (a) is practiced in part by implanting an electric motor or pump which is part of the adjustment device.