Method and apparatus for control of bowel function

• US 20020072779A1
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Alfred E. Mann Institute For Biomedical Engineering At The University Of Southern California (University of Southern California)
• Original Assignee: University of Southern California
• Inventors: Loeb, Gerald E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,658,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Spinal cord injury and other injuries and diseases of the nervous system often result in the inability to sense the need to empty the rectum or to control the timing of bowel movements. This invention includes microminiature electronic devices implanted on or around the large bowel to sense the volume and nature of rectal contents and to stimulate peristaltic contractions to empty the large bowel when it is convenient for the patient to do so.

Claims

1. A system for controlling bowel function, the system comprising:

a first implanted electronic device to detect distension of the rectum;

a second implanted electronic device to trigger peristaltic evacuation of the bowel; and

an external electronic device coupled to an inductive coil.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second implanted electronic devices measure the distance between the first and second implanted electronic devices by emitting an electromagnetic field and measuring the strength of the electromagnetic field.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first and second implanted electronic devices measure the electrical coupling provided by a material between the first and second implanted electronic devices by emitting an electrical current and measuring the strength of a potential field.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the external electronic device computes a electrical resistance of the material between the first and second implanted electronic devices.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical stimulator implanted in a rectoanal region.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising an electrical stimulator activating a plurality of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons to trigger defecation.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising an electrical stimulator activating a plurality of perianal cutaneous afferents to activate spinal reflexes to result in defecation.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the external electronic device includes an interface tp permit activation of the electrical stimulator.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second implanted electronic devices receive power and command signals by an electromagnetic coupling to the external electronic device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a class E electronic power oscillator that is 100% modulated in fewer than four carrier cycles electromagnetically couples the implanted electronic devices and the external electronic device.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the inductive coil electromagnetically couples the implanted electronic devices and the external electronic device.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the implanted electronic device communicates with the inductive coil.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the inductive coil is removably coupled to a toilet.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the inductive coil is removably coupled to a seat cushion.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the inductive coil is removably coupled to a mattress.

16. A method for controlling bowel function, comprising:

implanting at least one microelectrical device in the rectal wall so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions; and

stimulating the microelectrical device in order to empty the bowel.

17. A method for determining the state of material in the rectum by measuring the electrical resistance of the material in the rectum, the method comprising:

implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;

emitting a brief electrical current from the first microelectrical device; and

measuring the strength of the electrical field at the second microelectrical device.

18. A method for determining the state of material in the rectum by measuring the electrical resistance of the material in the rectum, the method comprising:

implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls;

emitting a brief electrical current from the first microelectrical device;

measuring the strength of the electrical field at the second microelectrical device; and

transmitting the measurement recorded at the second microelectrical device to an external controller which uses information about the distance and electrical coupling of the first and second microelectronic devices to infer the resistance and nature of the material in the rectum.

19. A method for measuring physical distension of the rectum, the method comprising:

implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;

emitting a short burst of RF energy from the first microelectrical device; and

measuring the strength of the short burst of RF energy at the second microelectrical device.

20. A method for measuring physical distension of the rectum, the method comprising:

implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;

emitting a short burst of RF energy from the first microelectrical device;

measuring the strength of the short burst of RF energy at the second microelectrical device; and

transmitting the measurement recorded at the second microelectrical device to an external controller which uses information about the distance and electrical coupling of the first and second microelectronic devices to infer the amount and nature of the rectal distention.