Gastric device and endoscopic delivery system

• US 8,019,422 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
• Inventors: Layman, Ted W., Colliou, Olivier K., Lake, Sharon L., Imran, Mir A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): D ABREU, MICHAEL JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/281,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,127 Days
• Field of Search: 607/40, 607/116, 607/133, 600/350
• 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 1/0509 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

A system is provided for endoscopically attaching a functional device to a stomach wall wherein the functional device is configured to perform a therapeutic or diagnostic function at the stomach.

Claims

1. A system for providing electrically stimulating signals to a stomach wall comprising:

a) a gastric stimulator including;

an anchor having at least one stimulating electrode disposed thereon, wherein the anchor is configured to be implanted through the stomach wall so as to attach the at least one electrode to the stomach wall; and

a housing configured to be implanted separately from the anchor, the housing having electronic circuitry contained therein and including an electrical conductor arranged to electrically couple the at least one stimulating electrode in situ to the electronic circuitry when the housing is deployed separately from the implantation of the anchor and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to deliver electrically stimulating signals to the stomach wall through the at least one stimulating electrode when the circuitry is coupled to the electrode; and

b) an endoscope comprising;

an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a stimulator engaging portion located at said distal end of the elongate member, said stimulator engaging portion arranged to advance the anchor through an esophagus and toward an attachment site within the stomach while the circuitry is disconnected from the at least one electrode and the housing is mechanically decoupled from the anchor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a first portion arranged to extend into the stomach wall.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first portion comprises a first narrow profile for extending into the stomach wall;

further comprising a second portion having a first narrow profile position similar to the first narrow profile of the first portion and a second expanded profile position in which the second portion engages the stomach wall to prevent withdrawal of the anchor from the stomach wall.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said first portion comprises an expandable distal portion arranged to secure the anchor to the stomach wall.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one electrode is located on said first portion of the anchor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the housing further includes a channel to couple the anchor and electrode to the circuitry.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuitry and electrode are attachable in situ.