Responsive gastric stimulator

• US 8,239,027 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• 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): Patel, Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALTER, ALYSSA MARGO
• Application Number:
  US12/722,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20110066207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 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 an obese subject comprising the steps of:

providing at least one stimulating electrode electrically coupled to a stomach of the subject;

providing a sensor coupled to the subject, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer;

sensing gross movement of the subject with the sensor such that the sensed gross movement is indicative of the subject'"'"'s activity level;

determining, in response to the sensed gross movement of the subject, that the subject'"'"'s activity level corresponds to a sleeping state of the subject;

inhibiting stimulation of the subject when the subject is determined to be in the sleeping state; and

stimulating the stomach of the subject with the at least one stimulating electrode when the subject is determined to be in a wakeful state based at least in part on the sensed gross movement of the subject;

wherein the stimulating interferes with innate electrical potentials of the subject'"'"'s stomach.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a pressure sensor;

and sensing a pressure within the stomach with the pressure sensor indicating existence of a predetermined threshold of stomach muscle contractions.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a temperature sensor coupled to the subject;

and

sensing temperature within the stomach with the temperature sensor indicating ingestion of a substance.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a strain gauge;

and sensing strain within the stomach with the strain gauge indicating existence of a predetermined threshold of stomach muscle contractions.