Responsive gastric stimulator

• US 7,702,394 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALTER, ALYSSA MARGO
• Application Number:
  US10/950,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20050065571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40, 607/133
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0016 comprising measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0026 Anti-eating devices using electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/028 having a mainly rigid support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A responsive gastrointestinal stimulation device is provided where one or more sensors sense data corresponding to a subject or the gastrointestinal tract of a subject and responds to sensing the data by stimulating, adjusting stimulation, or stopping stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. A stimulation device is also provided to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract to produce a sensation of satiety or to control hunger or food consumption.

Claims

1. A method for treating a subject having a stomach with a stomach wall surrounding a cavity of the stomach, the method comprising:

implanting electronic circuitry within the subject;

supporting a temperature sensor within the cavity of the stomach so as to measure a temperature within the cavity;

electrically coupling a stimulating electrode to the wall of stomach;

operatively coupling the circuitry to the temperature sensor;

operatively coupling the circuitry to the stimulating electrode;

sensing the temperature within the cavity of the stomach with the temperature sensor;

determining, using the circuitry and in response to the sensed temperature, a rate of change of the temperature within the cavity of the stomach;

identifying, using the circuitry and in response to the rate of change of the temperature within the cavity of the stomach, an ingestion of material by the subject; and

stimulating the stomach by energizing the electrode using the circuitry in response to the identified ingestion of material by the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sensing another parameter from the subject; and

determining, with the circuitry and in response to the other sensed parameter;

a condition of the subject, wherein the stimulation of the stomach is performed in response to the determination of the condition of the subject.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the condition of the subject comprises determining whether the subject is sleeping or awake, and wherein stimulation of the stomach is inhibited in response to a determination that the subject is sleeping.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the condition of the subject comprises determining whether the subject is sleeping or awake, and wherein the stimulation of the stomach is performed in response to a determination that the subject is sleeping.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the other parameter sensed corresponds to muscle contractions of the stomach.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the other sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the temperature sensed from within the cavity of the stomach varies in response to a temperature of the material ingested by the subject.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein supporting the temperature sensor comprises affixing an anchor to the stomach wall with the temperature sensor extending away from the stomach wall and into the interior of the stomach.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein affixing the anchor to the stomach wall is performed using an elongate member extending through the stomach wall by engaging an inner surface of the stomach wall with a first surface coupled to the elongate member, and by engaging an outer surface of the stomach wall with a second surfaces coupled to the elongate member so that the stomach wall is disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein electrically coupling the electrode to the stomach wall is performed by inserting the elongate member through the stomach wall, the electrode being disposed on the elongate member.