AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING BAND SYSTEM

• US 20090204132A1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark S., Harris, Jason L., Dlugos, Daniel F. JR., Plescia, David N., Zeiner, Mark S., Yates, David C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,591,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/09 Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action

Abstract

Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump has a plurality of actuators configured to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.

Claims

1. A restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient, comprising:

an implantable restriction device that is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient; and

an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device and having a plurality of actuators configured to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an implantable port configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient wherein the implantable port is in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device and the pump.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an implantable sensor in communication with the restriction device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the implantable sensor is configured to measure at least a pressure within the restriction device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump further comprises a first member having a passageway formed therethrough and being in communication with the plurality of actuators.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the actuators are disposed within the first member.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the actuators are disposed outside the first member.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one actuator is configured to expand upon the application of energy thereto.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one actuator is configured to contract upon the application of energy thereto.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuators are configured to move sequentially.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein each actuator comprises an electroactive polymer.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein fluid moves in a direction from the pump to the restriction device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein fluid moves in a direction from the restriction device to the pump.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable pump effects a pressure change within the restriction device in accordance with at least one of a detected event and a programmed schedule.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid reservoir is configured to hold in the range of approximately 0.1 to 20 ml of fluid.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the actuators serves as a valve that is able to selectively control the passage of fluid by permitting, preventing, or limiting the passage of fluid.

18. A method of adjusting pressure in an implantable restriction device, comprising:

sensing a clinically relevant parameter;

adjusting a pressure within the restriction device in response to the sensed clinically relevant parameter by activating a pump in fluid communication with the restriction device, the pump being formed of a plurality of actuators configured to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein sensing a clinically relevant parameter is effected using an implantable sensor.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the clinically relevant parameter is a pressure in the implantable restriction device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the pump is automatically activated.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein adjusting the pressure provides feedback to a patient.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising comparing the sensed pressure to a desired pressure range and adjusting the pressure within the restriction device to be within the desired pressure range if the sensed pressure is not within the desired pressure range.

24. A pumping device, comprising:

a fluid conduit member having a passageway formed therethrough; and

a plurality of orientation-changing actuators disposed within the fluid conduit member, each actuator being independently configurable between a normal, relaxed state in which the actuator occludes a portion of the passageway of the fluid conduit member and an energized configuration in which fluid flow is permitted between an outer surface of the actuator and an inner surface of the fluid conduit member, the actuators being configured to change orientation upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the first member.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein each actuator comprises an electroactive polymer.

26. The device of claim of claim 24, wherein each actuator comprises a least one electroactive polymer composite having at least one flexible conductive layer, an electroactive polymer layer, and an ionic gel layer.

27. The device of claim of claim 24, wherein each actuator includes a return electrode and a delivery electrode coupled thereto, the delivery electrode being adapted to deliver energy from an energy source.

28. The device of claim of claim 24, wherein the actuators are configured to move independently.