Gastric stimulator apparatus and method for use
First Claim
1. A neuromuscular stimulator for stimulating tissue of the gastrointestinal tract by applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue, comprising:
- a voltage sensor to detect a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated; and
circuitry configured to (a) compare the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold and to adjust the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold, such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold, (b) calculate electrode resistance;
said electrode resistance being voltage limit value divided by current value and (c) determine an increment of adjustment of voltage based on the electrode resistance.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for stimulating neuromuscular tissue in the stomach. The neuromuscular stimulator stimulates the neuromuscular tissue by applying current-controlled electrical pulses. A voltage sensor detects the voltage across the neuromuscular tissue to determine if the voltage meets a predetermined voltage threshold. A control circuit adjusts the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the voltage threshold, such that the voltage does not exceed the voltage threshold. A voltage-controlled pulse may also be applied to the tissue. A current sensor would then detect whether the current on the neuromuscular tissue meets a predetermined current threshold, and a control circuit adjusts the voltage controlled pulse such that the current does not exceed the current threshold. A real time clock may be provided which supplies data corresponding to the time of day during the treatment period. A programmable calendar stores parameters of the stimulating pulse, wherein the parameters have a reference to the time of day.
242 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A neuromuscular stimulator for stimulating tissue of the gastrointestinal tract by applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue, comprising:
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a voltage sensor to detect a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated; and
circuitry configured to (a) compare the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold and to adjust the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold, such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold, (b) calculate electrode resistance;
said electrode resistance being voltage limit value divided by current value and (c) determine an increment of adjustment of voltage based on the electrode resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A neuromuscular stimulator for stimulating tissue of the gastrointestinal tract by applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue comprising:
a voltage sensor to detect a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated; and
circuitry configured to (a) compare the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold and to adjust the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold and (b) calculate capacitance of said tissue, said capacitance being the ratio of the current and the time rate of change of the voltage during an individual electrical stimulating pulse.- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A neuromuscular stimulator for stimulating tissue of the gastrointestinal tract by applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue, comprising:
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a voltage sensor to detect a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated; and
circuitry configured to compare the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold and to adjust the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold. wherein the neuromuscular stimulator is configured to determine and store a time value during the electrical pulse when the voltage associated with the electrical pulse meets the predetermined voltage threshold.
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17. A method of stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract comprising:
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(a) preparing a set of voltage thresholds and associated respective current levels comprising;
setting a test value for the voltage threshold;
applying a first current pulse to the tissue to be stimulated;
iteratively varying the test value until the voltage level across the tissue is found to meet the test value; and
associating the voltage level with the respective current level in the set of voltage thresholds;
(b) applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue to stimulate the neuromuscular tissue;
(c) detecting a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated;
setting the voltage threshold based on a current level associated with the current-controlled pulse;
(d) comparing the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold; and
(e) adjusting the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold by the detecting, such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract comprising:
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(a) applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue to stimulate the neuromuscular tissue;
(b) calculating electrode resistance, said electrode resistance being voltage limit value divided by current value;
(c) detecting a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated;
(d) comparing the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold; and
(e) adjusting the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold by the detecting such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold wherein the step of adjusting the current-controlled pulse comprises determining an increment of adjustment of voltage based on the electrode resistance. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract comprising:
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(a) applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue to stimulate the neuromuscular tissue;
(b) calculating capacitance of said tissue, said capacitance being the ratio of the current and the time rate of change of the voltage;
(c) detecting a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated;
(d) comparing the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold; and
(e) adjusting the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold by the detecting, such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of stimulating neuromuscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract comprising:
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(a) applying a current-controlled electrical pulse to the neuromuscular tissue to stimulate the neuromuscular tissue;
(b) detecting a voltage across the neuromuscular tissue being stimulated;
(c) comparing the voltage with a predetermined voltage threshold;
(d) storing an event in memory characterized by the voltage being found to exceed the predetermined voltage threshold; and
(e) adjusting the current-controlled pulse if the voltage is found to meet the predetermined voltage threshold by the detecting such that the voltage does not exceed the predetermined voltage threshold.
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Specification