Apparatus and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior after weight loss surgery
First Claim
1. A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising:
- a) monitoring at least one physical parameter directly related to the food consumed;
wherein said food currently passing through said GRA is characterized by said at least one physical parameter;
b) analyzing said monitored at least one physical parameter to provide an indication of a current eating behavior pattern;
c) analyzing said indication of a current eating behavior pattern;
d) using said analysis of said indication of a current eating behavior pattern to induce long term modification of the eating behavior of said patient by a method selected from the group consisting of administering a hunger controlling substance, providing indicators and behavioral modification steps to said patient, and adjustment of said GRA;
wherein said at least one physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of viscosity of a bolus of said food, density of a bolus of said food, quantity of a bolus of said food, the time of passage of a bolus of said food, interval between a pair of boluses of said food, duration of a meal, and pressure applied onto said GRA by said bolus of said food; and
further wherein said step of monitoring includes obtaining near infrared (NIR) spectra of properties related to food currently passing through said GRA and said step of analyzing includes processing said NIR spectra into macronutrients-caloric content data.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising:
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a) monitoring at least one physical parameter directly related to the food consumed;
wherein said food currently passing through said GRA is characterized by said at least one physical parameter;b) analyzing said monitored at least one physical parameter to provide an indication of a current eating behavior pattern; c) analyzing said indication of a current eating behavior pattern; d) using said analysis of said indication of a current eating behavior pattern to induce long term modification of the eating behavior of said patient by a method selected from the group consisting of administering a hunger controlling substance, providing indicators and behavioral modification steps to said patient, and adjustment of said GRA; wherein said at least one physical parameter is selected from the group consisting of viscosity of a bolus of said food, density of a bolus of said food, quantity of a bolus of said food, the time of passage of a bolus of said food, interval between a pair of boluses of said food, duration of a meal, and pressure applied onto said GRA by said bolus of said food; and
further wherein said step of monitoring includes obtaining near infrared (NIR) spectra of properties related to food currently passing through said GRA and said step of analyzing includes processing said NIR spectra into macronutrients-caloric content data.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising:
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a) monitoring at least one IR spectrum of food currently passing through said GRA; b) processing said at least one monitored IR spectrum to obtain a quantity of at least one macronutrient in said food, said at least one macronutrient selected from a group consisting of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and water; c) calculating a caloric value for said food from said macronutrient content; d) using said caloric value of said food to induce long term modification of the eating behavior of said patient; e) inducing long-term modification of the eating behavior of said patient by providing an indication to the patient or healthcare giver; f) analyzing said indication of a current eating behavior pattern; and
,g) using said analysis of said indication of a current eating behavior pattern to induce long term modification of the eating behavior of said patient by a method selected from the group consisting of administering a hunger controlling substance, providing indicators and behavioral modification steps to said patient, and adjustment of said GRA. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA) comprising:
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a) means configured to monitor IR spectra of food consumed;
wherein said food currently passing through said GRA is characterized by said IR spectra;b) an intra-corporal emergency relief mechanism used to automatically relieve pressure developing due to said food currently passing through said GRA; and
,c) a display configured to display a current eating behavior based on data from said monitoring means and to provide recommendations to modify said current eating behavior and information about the patient and said GRA; wherein at least one physical parameter directly related to said food is calculable from said IR spectra. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification