Process for electrostimulation treatment of morbid obesity

• US 6,615,084 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Transneuronix, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Transneuronix Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cigaina, Valerio
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang, Tu Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/713,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40, 607/115, 607/116, 607/133, 600/424, 600/407, 600/408, 128/899
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

An improved process using electrostimulation for treating obesity, especially morbid obesity, and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach is provided. The improved method of this invention provides electrostimulation on the lesser curvature of the stomach, preferably on the lower or distal end of the lesser curvature, which provides improved control of obesity and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach. In one embodiment, the process employs stimulation of the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses. Preferably, the pulse rate is about 12 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 2 seconds with a pause of about 3 seconds between pulses. Preferably, the pulse amplitude is about 0.5 to about 15 milliamps. More preferable, each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻¹.

Claims

1. A method for treatment of a motor disorder of a patient'"'"'s stomach, said method comprising

implanting an electrostimulation device comprising at least one electrostimulation lead and an electrical connector for attachment to a pulse generator such that the at least one electrostimulation lead is attached to, or adjacent to, lesser curvature of the patient'"'"'s stomach, whereby electrical stimulation can be provided to the lesser curvature through the at least one electrostimulation lead;

and

supplying electrical stimulation to the lesser curvature through the at least one electrostimulation lead.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrostimulation lead is attached to, or adjacent to, the lesser curvature at the lesser curvature'"'"'s lower end.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature has an operating frequency of about 2 to about 15 pulses per minute.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 15 pulses per minute.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the rate of the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature is about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the rate of the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature is about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100sec⁻

1.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the motor disorder is obesity.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the motor disorder is obesity.

13. A method for treatment of a motor disorder of a patient'"'"'s stomach, said method comprising

implanting an electrostimulation device comprising an elongated body with a proximal and a distal end and having at least one electrostimulation lead and an electrical connector for attachment to a pulse generator at the proximal end such that the at least one electrostimulation lead is attached to, or adjacent to, lesser curvature of the patient'"'"'s stomach, whereby electrical stimulation can be provided to the lesser curvature through the at least one electrostimulation lead and whereby, once the electrostimulation device is implanted, the at least one electrostimulation lead is at the distal end of the elongated body;

and

supplying electrical stimulation to the lesser curvature through the at least one electrostimulation lead.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one electrostimulation lead is attached to, or adjacent to, the lesser curvature at the lesser curvature'"'"'s lower end.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature has an operating frequency of about 2 to about 15 pulses per minute.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature at a rate of about 2 to about 15 pulses per minute.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the rate of the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature is about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the rate of the electrical stimulation supplied to the lesser curvature is about 2 to about 14 pulses/minute with each pulse lasting about 0.5 to about 4 seconds such that there is a pause of about 3 to about 30 between the pulses.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein each pulse consists of a train of micro-bursts with a frequency of about 5 to about 100 sec⁻

1.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the motor disorder is obesity.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the motor disorder is obesity.