Gastric stimulator apparatus and method for installing

• US 6,606,523 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transneuronix Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Transneuronix Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jenkins, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaetzle, Kennedy
• Application Number:
  US09/466,532
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 607/115, 607/116, 607/119, 607/124, 607/126, 607/127, 607/128, 607/129, 607/130, 607/131, 607/132, 607/133, 607/149, 607/152, 600/373, 600/375, 600/377, 600/393, 600/380, 128/899
• US Class Current: 607/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0509 Stomach and intestinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

Apparatus for stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract and methods for installing the apparatus to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue. A pair of electrodes are supported by an electrode attachment member having a distal surface configured for attachment to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue. The electrodes are supported adjacent the distal surface to provide an interface between the electrodes and the surface of the neuromuscular tissue. The electrode attachment member may be flexible to pass through a laparoscopic surgical access opening in a compacted form and then returned to an uncompacted form for attachment to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue by the use of staples or sutures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the viscera of a patient by applying electrical pulses to the neuromuscular tissue, the electrical pulses supplied by a pulse generator, comprising:

at least two electrodes configured for electrical connection with the pulse generator;

an electrode attachment member having a distal surface configured for attachment to a surface of the neuromuscular tissue to be stimulated, wherein the electrode attachment member supports the electrodes adjacent the distal surface thereof to provide an interface between the electrodes and the surface of the neuromuscular tissue to be stimulated when attached to the surface, wherein the distal surface of the electrode attachment member is flexible and has a first configuration which is substantially flat so as to substantially conform to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue to be stimulated when attached to the surface, wherein the distal surface of the electrode attachment member has a second configuration which is substantially cylindrically shaped and reduced in size relative to the first configuration so as to inserted into the patient through a minimally invasive laparoscopic access opening, and wherein the distal surface of the electrode attachment member may be returned to the first configuration once inserted into the patient in order to be attached to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue to be stimulated; and

an annular means for receiving the electrode attachment member in the second configuration and for maintaining the electrode attachment member in the second configuration until after insertion into the patient through the minimally invasive laparoscopic access opening.

2. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the interface between the electrodes and the surface of the neuromuscular tissue is sufficient to allow for low impedance stimulation of the neuromuscular tissue by the pulse generator.

3. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the electrode attachment member is configured to receive staples therethrough for attachment to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue.

4. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the electrode attachment member is configured to receive sutures therethrough for attachment to the surface of the neuromuscular tissue.

5. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the annular means comprises a band configured to surround the electrode attachment member in the second configuration.

6. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the electrode attachment member is long and narrow.

7. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the electrode attachment member has a substantially circular distal surface with a center and the electrodes are substantially equidistantly spaced about the center of the distal surface.

8. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the viscera includes the gastrointestinal tract.

9. Apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the electrode attachment member has a substantially helical attachment member protruding from the distal surface thereof for attachment to the neuromuscular tissue.

10. Apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the substantially helical attachment member also functions as one of the electrodes.