Digestive organ retention device

• US 7,747,322 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NATASHA
• Application Number:
  US11/249,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20060074458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40, 607126-130, 607/133, 607/149, 600/373
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• 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: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• 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: 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 1/05 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 1/0517 Esophageal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/126 : comprising organic polymers

Abstract

An retaining device for attaching to a contractile organ such as a digestive tract organ or stomach is provided. One aspect may include a lead for stimulating a digestive organ. The device may be an electrical stimulation device configured to deliver electrical signals to the organ.

Claims

1. A device for sensing within an internal cavity of a stomach, the stomach having a stomach wall, the device comprising:

an implantable anchor configured to engage an outer surface of the wall of the stomach so as to restrain the device when implanted within a patient;

an elongate portion coupled to the anchor wherein the elongate portion extends into the internal cavity while the anchor resides against the outer surface of the stomach; and

a temperature sensor disposed on the elongate portion so as to be separated from the wall and reside within the internal cavity while the anchor engages the outer surface of the stomach such that a temperature signal from the sensor is indicative of ingested material within the stomach.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the elongate portion includes a tapered portion that is more narrow near the anchor and more wide toward a distal end of the elongate portion, the tapered portion disposed sufficiently near the anchor when implanted and sufficiently tapered radially outwardly away from the anchor along an insertion axis of the tapered portion that the tapered portion is disposed within the wall and wall contractions of the stomach squeeze against the tapered portion and urge the tapered portion axially so that the anchor presses against the outer surface of the stomach.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein the tapered portion is configured to extend across the wall of the stomach when the anchor engages the outer surface of the stomach.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the sensor provides sensor information that may be used to determine when food has been ingested.

5. A device as in claim 2, further comprising an electrode disposed in electrical contact with the stomach while the anchor engages the outer surface of the stomach.

6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the electrode is disposed along the elongate portion.

7. A device as in claim 5, wherein the electrode is disposed along the anchor.