Method for controlling flow of intestinal contents in a patient's intestines

• US 8,696,543 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kirk Promotion Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kirk Promotion Ltd.
• Inventors: Forsell, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, Christine
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANNU, JOSHUA DARYL DEANON
• Application Number:
  US12/285,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20090240100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 32, 606/151, 607 1- 3, 607 10- 15, 607/40, 607/41, 607/135, 128897-899
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4255 Intestines, colon or appendix
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/00 Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents as cosmetic articles, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. wigs, hair pieces, A41G3/00, A41G5/00; artificial nails A45D31/00; dental prostheses A61C13/00; materials for prostheses A61L27/00; artificial hearts A61M60/00; artificial kidneys A61M1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/045 Stomach, intestines
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0507 Electrodes for the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the intestinal tissue wall) at least one portion of the intestinal tissue wall to influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the intestinal passageway, or for actively moving the fluid in the intestinal passageway, with a low risk of injuring the intestines.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) gently constricting with a constriction device each of the intestinal wall portions of a series of intestinal wall portions of an intestinal tissue wall of the patient to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

(b) stimulating with a stimulation device at least one constricted intestinal wall portion of the series of intestinal wall portions to cause contraction of the at least one intestinal wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the series of intestinal wall portions are successively further constricted by the stimulation device along the intestines;

to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines, or

to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines, and

stimulating any of the at least one constricted intestinal wall portions of the series of intestinal wall portions in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence to close the intestinal passageway.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one constricted intestinal wall portion of the series of intestinal wall portions is stimulated with the stimulation device while the constriction of the at least one constricted intestinal wall portion of the series of intestinal wall portions is changed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the constriction of the intestinal wall portions is calibrated by stimulating the at least one constricted intestinal wall portion while adjusting the constriction of the at least one constricted intestinal wall portion with the constriction device until the desired restriction of the flow in the intestinal passageway is obtained.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation is performed at a different time than the gentle constriction is performed.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling by the patient with a control device the constriction and/or stimulation of each wall portion from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sensing with a sensor a physical parameter of the patient and automatically controlling the constriction and/or stimulation of each wall portion in response to the sensed parameter.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulation is performed by intermittently and individually stimulating with the stimulation device different areas of the at least one constricted intestinal wall portion with pulses.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pulses form pulse trains with each pulse in the pulse train having a pulse amplitude, a frequency of the pulses of the pulse trains, a frequency of the pulse trains, and a number of pulses in each pulse train and at least one of the following pulse modification steps is performed:

Varying the pulse amplitudes of the pulses of the pulse trains;

Varying the frequency of the pulses of the pulse trains;

Varying the frequency of the pulse trains;

Varying the number of pulses of each pulse train.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the pulses form pulse trains with an off time period between the individual pulses of the pulse train, an off time period between the pulse trains, a pulse width of each pulse in the pulse train, and a length of each pulse train and at least one of the following pulse modification steps is performed:

varying off time periods between the individual pulses of each pulse train;

Varying the off time periods between the pulse trains;

varying the width of each pulse of the pulse trains; and

varying the length of each pulse train.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the pulses form pulse trains with an off time period between the pulse trains and each off time period between the pulse trains is kept long enough to restore substantially normal blood circulation in each area when the area is not stimulated during the off time periods.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting each of the intestinal wall portions.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting each of the intestinal wall portions in a non-magnetic and/or non-manual manner.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising implanting in the patient a main reservoir containing a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid and the constriction device, wherein the constriction device engages the at least one intestinal wall portion, the reservoir having an expandable cavity, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by distributing hydraulic fluid from the main reservoir to increase the volume of the cavity to constrict the wall portion.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the main reservoir comprises first and second wall portions, and the gentle constriction is performed by displacing the first and second wall portions towards each other to decrease the volume of the main reservoir, so that fluid is distributed from the main reservoir to the cavity.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising implanting in the patient a pump that pumps fluid between the main reservoir and the cavity.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the pump comprises a first activation member that activates the pump to pump fluid from the main reservoir to the cavity and a second activation member that activates the pump to pump fluid from the cavity to the main reservoir.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein at least one of the activation members operates when subjected to an external predetermined pressure.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second activating members are operated by a magnetic device, a hydraulic device, or an electric control device.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising implanting a fluid conduit between the pump and the cavity, the main reservoir forming part of the conduit and the conduit and pump being devoid of any non-return valve, wherein the main reservoir forms a fluid chamber with a variable volume, step (a) is performed by reducing the volume of the chamber so that fluid is pumped from the chamber to the cavity and the pump comprises a movable wall of the main reservoir for changing the volume of the chamber, the method further comprising implanting a motor for driving the pump.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting wireless energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to inside the patient'"'"'s body and using the transmitted wireless energy in connection with operating a constriction/stimulation unit formed by the constriction and stimulation devices.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising directly using the wireless energy in connection with the operation of a constriction/stimulation unit as the wireless energy is being transmitted, wherein the wireless energy comprises an electric, an electromagnetic or a magnetic field, or a combination thereof, or electromagnetic waves, and further comprising implanting in the patient an electric motor or pump operatively connected to the constriction device and directly powering the motor or pump by wireless energy in the form of a magnetic or an electromagnetic field.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the wireless energy comprises energy of a first form, further comprising transmitting the energy of the first form into energy of a second form and operating the constriction/stimulation unit with the energy of the second form.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the energy of the second form is different than the energy of the first form, the energy of the second form comprises electric energy and the constriction/stimulation unit is directly operated with the energy of the second form in a non-magnetic, non-thermal or non-mechanical manner.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the energy of the first form is directly or indirectly transformed into the energy of the second form, further comprising providing a motor for operating the constriction device and powering the motor with the energy of the second form.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the constriction device is operable to perform at least one reversible function, further comprising reversing the function by using the motor.

26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising shifting polarity of the energy of the second form to reverse the motor.

27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising directly powering the motor with the transformed energy of the second form, as the energy of the second form is being transformed from the energy of the first form.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the wireless energy of the first form comprises sound waves and the energy of the second form comprises electric energy.

29. The method according to claim 22, further comprising implanting in the patient a source of energy for storing the energy of the second form and supplying energy from the source of energy in connection with the operation of the constriction/stimulation unit, wherein the source of energy comprises an accumulator, and wherein the accumulator comprises at least one capacitor or at least one rechargeable battery, or a combination of at least one capacitor and at least one rechargeable battery.

30. The method according to claim 22, further comprising implanting in the patient a source of energy for supplying energy for the operation of the constriction/stimulation unit and a switch for switching the energy supplied by the source of energy, and using the energy of the second form to operate the switch to switch from an “

off”

mode, in which the source of energy is not in use, to an “

on”

mode, in which the source of energy supplies energy for the operation of the constriction/stimulation unit.

31. The method according to claim 22, further comprising implanting in the patient a stabilizer for stabilizing the energy of the second form, wherein the energy of the second form comprises electric current and the stabilizer comprises at least one capacitor.

32. The method according to claim 22, wherein the energy of the first form comprises an electric, an electromagnetic or a magnetic field, or a combination thereof.

33. The method according to claim 22, wherein the energy of the first form is transformed into a direct current or pulsating direct current, or a combination of a direct current and pulsating direct current, or transformed into an alternating current or a combination of a direct and alternating current.

34. The method according to claim 22, wherein one of the energy of the first form and the energy of the second form comprises magnetic energy, kinetic energy, sound energy, chemical energy, radiant energy, electromagnetic energy, photo energy, nuclear energy or thermal energy.

35. The method according to claim 22, wherein one of the energy of the first form and the energy of the second form is non-magnetic, non-kinetic, non-chemical, non-sonic, non-nuclear or non-thermal.

36. The method according to claim 20, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted in at least one wireless signal.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the signal comprises a wave signal in the form of a sound or ultrasound wave signal, or in the form of an electromagnetic wave signal including one of an infrared light signal, a visible light signal, an ultra violet light signal, a laser signal, a micro wave signal, a radio wave signal, an x-ray radiation signal, and a gamma radiation signal.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the signal comprises a digital or analogue signal, or a combination of a digital and analogue signal.

39. The method according to claim 20, wherein the wireless energy comprises an electric, an electromagnetic or a magnetic field, or a combination thereof, further comprising transmitting the wireless energy in pulses or digital pulses, or a combination of pulses and digital pulses.

40. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method step of gently constricting further comprises the steps of:

inserting a needle-like tube into a cavity of the patient'"'"'s body,

using the needle-like tube to fill the cavity with gas thereby expanding the cavity,

placing at least two laparoscopical trocars in the patient'"'"'s body,

inserting a camera through one of the trocars into the cavity,

inserting a dissecting tool through any of the trocar and dissecting an area of at least one portion of the tissue wall of the intestines,

placing the constriction device and the stimulation device in the dissected area in operative engagement with the intestines,

using the constriction device to gently constrict the at least one intestinal wall portion of the intestines to influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, and

using the stimulation device to stimulate the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the cavity comprises:

at least one of an abdominal cavity, a cavity in the pelvic region, a thoraxial cavity, a cavity in a limb, a cavity in human soft tissue, or muscle, or fat or fibrotic tissue.

42. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of gently constricting further comprises the steps of:

cutting skin of the patient,

inserting a dissecting tool and dissecting an area of at least one portion of the tissue wall of the intestines,

placing the constriction device and the stimulation device in the dissected area in operative engagement with the intestines,

using the constriction device to gently constrict the at least one wall portion of the intestines to influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, and

using the stimulation device to stimulate the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one constricted wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway.

43. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing the constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, the stimulation device that stimulates the at least one constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation and an external source of energy outside the patient'"'"'s body;

and controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising transforming the wireless energy into electrical energy inside the patient'"'"'s body by an implanted energy-transforming device and using the electrical energy in connection with operation of the constriction device and/or stimulation device.

45. The method according to claim 44, further comprising directly using the electrical energy in connection with the operation of the constriction device and/or stimulation device, as the transforming device transforms the wireless energy into the electrical energy.

46. The method according to claim 43, further comprising controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release non-magnetic wireless energy, and using the released non-magnetic wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device.

47. The method according to claim 43, further comprising controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release electromagnetic wireless energy, and using the released electromagnetic wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device.

48. The method according to claim 43, further comprising providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, the method further comprising the steps of:

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted inductively from a primary coil in the external energy source to a secondary coil in the internal energy source.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein a change in the energy balance is detected, and the transmission of wireless energy is controlled based on the detected energy balance change.

51. The method according to claim 43, further comprising providing an internal energy source located inside the patient connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, determining an energy balance between the energy sent by the external energy source and the energy received by the internal energy source, and controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted inductively from a primary coil in the external energy source to a secondary coil in the internal energy source.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein a change in the energy balance is detected, and the transmission of wireless energy is controlled based on the detected energy balance change.

54. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) and step (b) are performed simultaneously or independently of each other.

55. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing electrical elements in a fixed orientation relative to one another and providing a structure holding the electrical elements in the fixed orientation, wherein the electrical elements form an elongate pattern with two opposite short ends, and further comprising applying the structure on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the elongate pattern extends along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in the direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the at least one wall portion.

56. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of electrical elements arranged in an elongate pattern engaging the at least one constricted wall portion being energized electrically, wherein each electrical element is cyclically energized with electric pulses,

wherein the elongate pattern of electrical elements comprises a first and second end, and wherein electrical elements are successively energized along an elongate pattern of electrical elements from a position substantially at a center of the at least one constricted wall portion towards ends of the elongate pattern of electrical elements.

57. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising providing an external source of energy outside the patient'"'"'s body,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for direct or indirect operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device, and

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto.

58. The method according to claim 57, the method further comprising the steps of:

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices device, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy balance change implies that the energy balance is increasing, or vice versa, wherein the decrease/increase of energy transmission corresponds to a detected change rate.

59. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting wireless energy from a coil of an external energy source placed externally to a body of the patient,

placing an energy receiver internally in the body of the patient,

providing an electric circuit connected to the coil,

supplying by the coil electrical pulses to transmit the wireless energy, the electrical pulses having leading and trailing edges,

varying by the electric circuit first time intervals between successive leading and trailing edges and/or second time intervals between successive trailing and leading edges of the electrical pulses, thus varying the power of the transmitted wireless energy, and

receiving by the energy receiver the transmitted wireless energy having a varied power.

60. A method of controlling flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting with a constriction device at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating with a stimulation device the at least one constricted wall portion of the tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to cause contraction of the at least one constricted wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the gentle constriction and stimulation are co-operated to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the at least one portion of a tissue wall is part of a series of wall portions of the tissue wall,

wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting any one wall portion of the series of wall portions of the tissue wall to at least restrict the flow in the intestinal passageway and the stimulation is performed by stimulating the constricted wall portions to close the intestinal passageway, further comprising successively constricting each wall portion of the series of wall portions to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway in a peristaltic manner,

further comprising providing at least one constriction element, and at least one stimulation element positioned on the constriction element, moving the constriction element along the intestines to successively constrict each wall portions of the series of wall portions, and using the stimulation element to stimulate each wall portion constricted by the constriction element to close the intestinal passageway, and further comprising cyclically moving the constriction element along each wall portions of the series of wall portions.

61. The method according to claim 60, further comprising providing a plurality of constriction elements and stimulation elements, positioned on the constriction elements, moving each constriction element along the intestines to successively constrict each wall portion of the series of wall portions, and using the stimulation elements to stimulate each wall portion constricted by any one of the constriction elements to close the intestinal passageway, further comprising cyclically moving the plurality of constriction elements one after the other along each wall portions of the series of wall portions, and further comprising providing a rotor so that each constriction element cyclically constricts each wall portions of the series of wall portions, wherein each constriction element comprises a roller that rolls on the intestines to constrict the intestines.

62. The method according to claim 60, wherein the stimulation is performed by stimulating each wall portion with electric pulses.

63. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the stimulation is performed by;

stimulating electrically with an electrical stimulation device different areas of the at least one constricted wall portion with electric pulses,

providing a plurality of electrical elements engaging the at least one constricted wall portion being energized electrically, wherein each electrical element is cyclically energized with the electric pulses,

applying the electrical elements on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the electrical elements form an elongate pattern of electrical elements extending along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in the direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the at least one wall portion and wherein the step of energizing comprises,

energizing the electrical elements successively along the elongate pattern of electrical elements, wherein the electrical elements are energized so that the electrical elements currently energized form at least one group of adjacent energized electrical elements.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the at least one wall portion includes muscle fibers, and the stimulation is performed by stimulating with the electrical stimulation device the at least one wall portion including the muscle fibers with electrical pulses.

65. The method according to claim 63, wherein the electrical elements are energized with an implantable internal source of energy so that a number of groups of the electrical elements are energized simultaneously.

66. The method according to claim 63, wherein the electrical elements are energized with an implantable internal source of energy one at a time in sequence or groups of the electrical elements are sequentially energized either randomly or in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

67. The method according to claim 63, wherein the electrical elements are successively energized with an implantable source of energy along the elongate pattern of electrical elements in the same or an opposite direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway.

68. The method according to claim 63, wherein the elements in the group of energized electrical elements form a path of energized electrical elements, and wherein the path of energized electrical elements extends at least in part or completely around the patient'"'"'s intestines.

69. The method according to claim 63, wherein the at least one group of adjacent energized electrical elements comprises one or more electrical elements.

70. The method according to claim 69, wherein the at least one group of adjacent energized electrical elements comprises two electrical elements provided mutually on opposite sides of the intestine.

71. The method according to claim 69, wherein the at least one group of adjacent energized electrical elements comprises three electrical elements extending around the intestine.

72. The method of claim 63, wherein the electrical elements are applied on the patient'"'"'s intestines as a series of groups of elements extending along the patient'"'"'s intestines in the direction of flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway, and wherein the groups of electrical elements in the series of groups are successively energized with an implantable internal source of energy in the same or opposite direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway.

73. The method according to claim 63, wherein the electrical elements are applied on the patient'"'"'s intestines in a series of groups of elements extending along the patient'"'"'s intestines in the direction of flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein the groups of electrical elements in the series of groups are successively energized with an implantable internal source of energy in the same or opposite direction to that of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway.

75. The method according to claim 73, wherein the electrical elements of each group of electrical elements form two paths of elements extending on mutual sides of the patient'"'"'s intestines, and wherein the two paths of electrical elements of each group of elements extend at least substantially transverse to the direction of flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway.

76. The method according to claim 63, further comprising providing at least one constriction element, and at least one stimulation element positioned on the constriction element, moving the constriction element along the intestines to successively constrict the at least one wall portions, the at least one constricted wall portion being part of a series of wall portions, and using the stimulation element to stimulate the at least one wall portion constricted by the constriction element to close the intestinal passageway, and further comprising cyclically moving the constriction element along the wall portions of the series of wall portions.

77. The method according to claim 63, further comprising placing the electrical elements in a fixed orientation relative to one another and providing a structure holding the electrical elements in the fixed orientation, wherein the elongate pattern of electrical elements has two opposite short ends, and the method further comprising applying the structure on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the elongate pattern extends along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in the direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the at least one wall portion.

78. The method according to claim 63, wherein the elongate pattern of electrical elements comprises a first and second end, and

wherein the electrical elements are successively energized along the elongate pattern from a position substantially at a center of the at least one constricted wall portion towards ends of the elongate pattern of electrical elements.

79. The method according to claim 63, wherein the electrical elements of each group of electrical elements form a path of elements extending at least in part or completely around the patient'"'"'s intestines.

80. The method according to claim 63, wherein each wall portions is constricted without completely closing the intestinal passageway, and the stimulation is performed by stimulating the constricted wall portions one after the other, so that the wall portions of the series of wall portions are successively contracted along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

81. The method according to claim 63, wherein the at least one wall portion is one of a series of wall portions that are further constricted by the stimulation device in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence, further comprising constricting the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines.

82. The method according to claim 63, the method further comprising providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside the patient'"'"'s body, controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for direct or indirect operation of the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto.

83. The method according to claim 82, the method further comprising the steps of:

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices device, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy balance change implies that the energy balance is increasing, or vice versa, wherein the decrease or increase of energy transmission corresponds to a detected change rate.

84. The method according to claim 63, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting wireless energy from a coil of an external energy source placed externally to a body of the patient,

placing an energy receiver internally in the body of the patient,

providing an electric circuit connected to the coil,

supplying by the coil electrical pulses to transmit the wireless energy, the electrical pulses having leading and trailing edges,

varying by the electric circuit first time intervals between successive leading and trailing edges and/or second time intervals between successive trailing and leading edges of the electrical pulses, thus varying the power of the transmitted wireless energy, and

receiving by the energy receiver the transmitted wireless energy having a varied power.

85. The method according to claim 63, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least one wall portion.

86. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the stimulation is performed by;

stimulating electrically different areas of the at least one wall portion with electrical pulses,

providing a plurality of electrical elements engaging the at least one wall portion being energized electrically,

placing the electrical elements in a fixed orientation relative to one another and

providing a structure holding the electrical elements in the fixed orientation, wherein the electrical elements form an elongate pattern of electrical elements with two opposite short ends, and

applying the structure on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the elongate pattern of electrical elements extends along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in a direction corresponding to the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the at least one wall portion.

87. The method according to claim 86, further comprising electrically energizing the electrical elements h an implantable internal source of energy, wherein each electrical element is cyclically energized with electric pulses.

88. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the stimulation is performed by;

stimulating electrically different areas of the at least one wall portion with electric pulses,

providing a plurality of electrical elements engaging the at least one wall portion being energized electrically, wherein each electrical element is cyclically energized with the electric pulses,

applying the electrical elements on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the electrical elements form an elongate pattern of electrical elements extending along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in a direction corresponding to the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the at least one wall portion, the elongate pattern of electrical elements having a first end and a second end, and

wherein the step of energizing comprises;

energizing the electrical elements successively along the elongate pattern of electrical elements, wherein the electrical elements are successively energized along the elongate pattern of electrical elements from a position substantially at a center of the constricted wall portion towards the first and second ends of the elongate pattern of electrical elements.

89. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the stimulation is performed by;

stimulating electrically different areas of the at least one wall portion with electric pulses,

providing a plurality of electrical elements engaging the at least one wall portion being energized with the electric pulses,

applying the electrical elements on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the electrical elements form an elongate pattern of electrical elements extending along the at least one wall portion of the intestines in a direction corresponding to ef the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut the respective areas of the at least one wall portion,

wherein the electrical elements are applied on the patient'"'"'s intestines in a series of groups of elements extending along the patient'"'"'s intestines in the direction of flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway,

wherein the electrical elements of each group of electrical elements form a path of elements extending at least in part or completely around the patient'"'"'s intestines.

90. The method according to claim 89, further comprising placing the electrical elements in a fixed orientation relative to one another and providing a structure holding the electrical elements in the fixed orientation, wherein the elongate pattern of electrical elements has two opposite short ends, and the method further comprising applying the structure on the patient'"'"'s intestines so that the elongate pattern extends along the wall portion of the intestines in the direction of the flow in the patient'"'"'s intestinal passageway and the elements abut respective areas of the wall portion.

91. The method according to claim 89, the method further comprising providing,

a constriction device that constricts the wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside the patient'"'"'s body,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device, providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto.

92. The method according to claim 89, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least one wall portion.

93. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a series of a tissue wall portions of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting with a constriction device any wall portions of the series of wall portions of the intestines,

wherein each wall portions of the series of wall portions is successively constricted along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines or to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein each wall portion of the series of wall portions are constricted with the constriction device in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence, further comprising constricting the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines.

95. The method according to claim 93, wherein the stimulation is performed by stimulating with the stimulation device any one of the at least one constricted wall portions of the series of wall portions.

96. The method according to claim 95, wherein each wall portions of the series of wall portions are constricted with the constriction device in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence, further comprising constricting with the constriction device the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines.

97. The method according to claim 93, wherein the wall portions of the series of wall portions are successively further constricted by a stimulation device along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines or to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

98. The method according to claim 93, further comprising providing at least one constriction element and at least one stimulation element positioned on the constriction element, moving the constriction element along the intestines to successively constrict the at least one wall portion of the series of wall portions, and using the stimulation element to stimulate the at least one wall portion constricted by the constriction element to close the intestinal passageway, and further comprising cyclically moving the constriction element along the wall portions of the series of wall portions.

99. The method according to claim 93, the method further comprising providing an external source of energy outside the patient'"'"'s body,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto.

100. The method according to claim 99, the method further comprising the steps of:

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices device, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy balance change implies that the energy balance is increasing, or vice versa, wherein the decrease/increase of energy transmission corresponds to a detected change rate.

101. The method according to claim 93, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting wireless energy from a coil of an external energy source placed externally to a body of the patient,

placing an energy receiver internally in the body of the patient,

providing an electric circuit connected to the coil,

supplying by the coil electrical pulses to transmit the wireless energy, the electrical pulses having leading and trailing edges,

varying by the electric circuit first time intervals between successive leading and trailing edges and/or second time intervals between successive trailing and leading edges of the electrical pulses, thus varying the power of the transmitted wireless energy, and

receiving by the energy receiver the transmitted wireless energy having a varied power.

102. The method according to claim 93, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least one wall portion.

103. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting with a constriction device at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating with a stimulation device the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting with the constriction device each wall portion of a series of wall portions of the intestines,

wherein the stimulation is performed by stimulating each constricted wall portion of the series of wall portions,

wherein each wall portions of the series of wall portions is successively constricted with the constriction device along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines or to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

104. The method according to claim 103, wherein the stimulation is performed by thermally stimulating the at least one wall portion.

105. The method according to claim 104, wherein the gentle constriction is performed to at least restrict the flow in the intestinal passageway, and the stimulation is performed by cooling the wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion, so that the flow in the intestinal passageway is at least further restricted, or at least further restricted but not stopped, or stopped.

106. The method according to claim 104, further comprising heating the at least one wall portion, when the at least one wall portion is constricted and contracted, to cause expansion of the wall portion.

107. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting with a constriction device at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating with a stimulation device the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting with constriction device each wall portion of a series of wall portions of the intestines,

wherein each wall portions of the series of wall portions is constricted with the constriction device without completely closing the intestinal passageway, and the stimulation is performed by stimulating with the stimulation device each constricted wall portions one after the other, so that each wall portions of the series of wall portions are successively contracted along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

108. The method according to claim 107, wherein each wall portion of the series of wall portions are constricted in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence, further comprising constricting the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines.

109. The method according to claim 107, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least one wall portion.

110. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting with a constriction device at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating with a stimulation device the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting a wall portion of a series of wall portions of the intestines, wherein each wall portion is successively constricted along the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines or to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines, further comprising constricting the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines to move the intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines or to prevent the intestinal contents to move in the intestinal passageway of the patient'"'"'s intestines.

111. The method according to claim 110, wherein the step of gently constricting is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least one wall portion.

112. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting with a constriction device at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating with a stimulation device the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

wherein the gentle constriction is performed by constricting all of the wall portions of a series of wall portions, and the stimulation is performed by stimulating at least two constricted wall portions in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence to close the intestinal passageway, wherein the wall portions of the series of wall portions are further constricted by the stimulation device in random or in accordance with a predetermined sequence, further comprising constricting the wall portions of the series of wall portions at least two at a time at positions spaced apart on the intestines.

113. The method according to claim 112, wherein the gentle constriction is performed by mechanically or hydraulically constricting the at least wall portion.

114. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

the method further comprising providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction or stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, the method further comprising the steps of;

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy form the external source, based on the determined energy balance, wherein a difference is detected between energy received by the internal energy source and energy used for the constriction device and/or stimulation device, and the transmission of wireless energy is controlled based on said detected energy difference, and wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy difference implies that the received energy is greater than the used energy, or vice versa, wherein the decrease or increase of energy transmission corresponds to a magnitude of the detected energy difference.

115. The method according to claim 114, wherein the energy used for at least one of the constriction or stimulation devices is stored in at least one energy storage device.

116. The method according to claim 114, wherein substantially all the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices is consumed to operate the device, wherein the energy is consumed after being stabilized in at least one energy stabilizing unit.

117. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

the method further comprising providing,

a constriction device that constricts the wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction or stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, the method further comprising the steps of;

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy form the external source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy balance change implies that the energy balance is increasing, or vice versa, wherein the decrease or increase of energy transmission corresponds to a detected change rate.

118. The method according to claim 117, wherein the energy used for at least one of the constriction or stimulation devices is stored in at least one energy storage device.

119. The method according to claim 117, wherein substantially all the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices is consumed to operate the device, wherein the energy is consumed after being stabilized in at least one energy stabilizing unit.

120. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

the method further comprising

providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the step of gently constricting and

a stimulation device that stimulates the at least one constricted wall portion for performing the step of stimulating and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

the method further comprising;

providing an internal energy source located inside the patient connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, determining an energy balance between the energy sent by the external energy source and the energy received by the internal energy source,

controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

detecting a difference between the energy sent by the external energy source and the energy received by the internal energy source, and

controlling the transmission of wireless energy based on the detected energy difference.

121. The method according to claim 120, wherein the amount of transmitted wireless energy is decreased if the detected energy difference implies that the received energy is greater than the used energy, or vice versa, wherein the decrease or increase of energy transmission corresponds to a magnitude of the detected energy difference.

122. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

the method further comprising

providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

the method further comprising

providing an internal energy source located inside the patient connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, determining an energy balance between the energy sent by the external energy source and the energy received by the internal energy source,

controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

detecting a change in the energy balance,

controlling the transmission of wireless energy based on the detected energy balance change,

decreasing the amount of transmitted wireless energy if the detected energy balance change implies that the energy balance is increasing, or vice versa, and wherein the decrease/increase of energy transmission corresponds to a detected change rate.

123. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway,

the method further comprising

providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the at least one constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

the method further comprising

providing an internal energy source located inside the patient connected to at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, determining an energy balance between the energy sent by the external energy source and the energy received by the internal energy source,

controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the wireless energy is transmitted by means of a primary coil in the external energy source and received inductively by means of a secondary coil in an internal energy source, the internal energy source is connected to a device for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, and wherein feedback control information is transferred from the secondary coil to the primary coil by switching the secondary coil on and off to induce a detectable impedance load variation in the primary coil encoding the feedback control information, and wherein the feedback control information relates to the energy received by the internal energy source and is used for controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy source.

124. The method according to claim 123, wherein the external energy source further comprises an electronic circuit for comparing the feedback information with the amount of energy transmitted by the external energy source, wherein the electronic circuit comprises an analyzer, further comprising analyzing by the analyzer the amount of energy being transmitted and the received feedback information related to the amount of energy received in the receiver, and determining the energy balance by comparing the amount of transmitted energy and the feedback information related to the amount of received energy, further comprising using the feedback information to adjust a level of the energy transmitted from the external energy source.

125. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one constricted wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, the method further comprising providing,

a constriction device that constricts the at least one wall portion for performing the step of gently constricting, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the at least one constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation step and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

providing an internal energy source, wherein the wireless energy is transmitted from the external energy source located outside the patient and is received by the internal energy source located inside the patient, the internal energy source being connected to at least one of the constriction or stimulation devices for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, the method further comprising the steps of;

(i) determining an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy source and the energy used for at least one of the constriction and stimulation devices, and

(ii) controlling the transmission of wireless energy form the external source, based on the determined energy balance,

wherein the wireless energy is transmitted by means of a primary coil in the external energy source and received inductively by means of a secondary coil in the internal energy source, wherein feedback control information is transferred from the secondary coil to the primary coil by switching the secondary coil on and off to induce a detectable impedance load variation in the primary coil encoding the feedback control information, where the feedback control information relates to the energy balance.

126. A method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in an intestinal passageway of a patient'"'"'s intestines, the method comprising:

a) gently constricting at least one portion of a tissue wall of the patient'"'"'s intestines to influence the flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway, and

b) stimulating the at least one constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the at least one wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, the method further comprising

providing,

a constriction device that constricts the wall portion for performing the gentle constriction, and

a stimulation device that stimulates the constricted wall portion for performing the stimulation, and

an external source of energy outside a body of the patient,

controlling the external source of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to release wireless energy, and using the released wireless energy for operating the constriction device and/or stimulation device,

the method further comprising the steps of;

transmitting wireless energy from a coil of the external energy source placed externally to the body of the patient,

placing an energy receiver internally in the body of the patient,

providing an electric circuit connected to the coil,

supplying by the coil electrical pulses to transmit the wireless energy,

the electrical pulses having leading and trailing edges,

varying by the electric circuit first time intervals between successive leading and trailing edges and/or second time intervals between successive trailing and leading edges of the electrical pulses, thus varying the power of the transmitted wireless energy, and

receiving by the energy receiver the transmitted wireless energy having a varied power.

127. The method according to claim 126, further comprising delivering by the electric circuit the electrical pulses to remain unchanged except varying the first and/or second time intervals.

128. The method according to claim 126, wherein the electric circuit has a time constant, further comprising

varying the first and second time intervals only in the range of the time constant, so that the lengths of the first and/or second time intervals are varied, and

varying the transmitted power over the coil.