Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090018606 | Methods and Devices for Stimulation of an Organ with the Use of a Transectionally Placed Guide Wire - Devices, systems and methods are provided for electrical stimulation of a body organ, particularly within the gastrointestinal tract. In preferred embodiments, the stomach is the organ within the gastrointestinal tract which is targeted for such stimulation. A guide wire or other delivery device is positioned within the body so as to transect the stomach wall. Devices and systems are then advanced over the guide wire for attachment to the stomach wall. The guide wire may be placed by endoscopic, open, laparoscopic or a modified percutaneous approach. In a modified percutaneous approach, the stomach is accessed without the use of general anesthesia by advancing a needle through the abdomen, transecting the stomach wall with the needle and advancing the guide wire through the needle. In some embodiments, particularly for use in obese patients, the modified percutaneous approach includes advancing a trocar through the tissue of the patient toward the outer surface of the organ and advancing the needle through the trocar prior to transecting the wall with the needle. | 01-15-2009 |
20090030474 | Sensor Driven Gastric Stimulation for Patient Management - Gastric stimulation systems and methods are provided for treating a patient, particularly by modifying behavior of the patient leading to excess weight loss. In some embodiments, such weight loss is achieved with a combination approach which includes two or more of the following: acute screening of the potential patients, gastric stimulation, induction of symptoms or specific behaviors and integration of patient management data into the treatment plan. Gastric stimulation is provided to portions of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, with the use of at least one electrode. A variety of gastric stimulation systems may be used, including stimulators that are endoscopically placed, laparoscopically placed or placed by modified or combination methods. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030475 | Gastric Stimulation Systems and Methods Utilizing a Transgastric Probe - Gastric stimulation devices, systems and methods are provided, particularly for stimulating a gastric organ having an internal cavity. Such devices and systems are typically implanted outside of the gastric organ while the environment of the internal cavity is probed and monitored by one or more sensors. The sensor information may be used to affect the stimulation signals provided to the gastric organ by the devices and systems. Such feedback integration assists in providing treatments and stimulation programs that are tailored to the needs of the individual patient. | 01-29-2009 |
20110034760 | FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ENHANCE OBSTRUCTIVE AND OTHER OBESITY TREATMENTS - Feedback systems and methods enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments by presenting feedback regarding patients' actual eating and/or exercise habits. An ingestion restricting implant body can be deployed along the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, ingestion alters the implant body, which, in turn, generates signals. The generated signals can be used to inhibit unhealthy ingestion by the patient. In other embodiments, the implant body can be altered by signals so as to selectable change the restriction imposed on the gastrointestinal tract, optionally in response to ingestion events, an eating schedule, or the like. The implant body may comprise a gastric band or an intragastric balloon. Sensor signals may be processed to identify ingestion and/or characterize ingestion of a solid or a liquid, and the results may be displayed on a screen for a patient or coach to view. | 02-10-2011 |
20110046660 | Endoscopic Forceps With Removable Handle - An exemplary forceps system for use within a tool channel of an endoscope comprises an elongated body extending from a proximal end and a distal end having one or more internal lumens. An actuator is slidably positioned within a first lumen, and actuatable jaws are removeably coupled to a first end of the actuator near the distal end. A handle is removeably coupleable to the proximal end of the body, the removable handle having a forceps actuator operatively engageable with a second end of the actuator so as to control the actuatable jaws when the handle is coupled to the body. A single or double balloon closure device having an inflatable anchor on a peritoneal side and a narrow inflatable portion, is also provided. The narrow portion may be shaped to follow the shape of the transgastric cut. The balloon closure device may deliver medication speed up the healing process and may contain a biocompatible sealant that may be dispersed over the incision site and/or used to keep the anchor on the peritoneal side inflated. | 02-24-2011 |
20110087076 | FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING DIAGNOSTIC AND/OR TREATMENT SIGNALS TO ENHANCE OBESITY TREATMENTS - Feedback systems and methods communicate implanted sensor-based feedback signals to promote behavior modifications that ameliorate obesity and other eating disorders. The system and methods described may also be applicable to any treatment in which presenting feedback regarding patients' eating and exercise habits is desired. The present invention provides a method and system for treating a patient by collecting ingestion and exercise information about the patient from an implanted sensor and communicating the collected information to the patient, his or her physician and/or other health care providers. In some embodiments, stimulation of the patient's stomach is also provided to reduce caloric intake. In some embodiments, the collected data is transmitted to a central server. Further embodiments may provide access to additional information in conjunction with the collected patient information, such as a calorie database, an exercise planner, and so forth, with the data optionally being used within a social networking system. | 04-14-2011 |
20110251495 | Diagnostic Sensors and/or Treatments for Gastrointestinal Stimulation or Monitoring Devices - Methods, systems and devices for monitoring the health and energy expenditure of a living body, treating patients with an eating disorder or treating obese patients are described. The methods, systems and devices described may also be applicable to any treatment in which presenting feedback regarding patients' eating and exercise habits is desired. The present invention provides for treating a patient by collecting ingestion and exercise information about the patient from implanted sensors and communicating the collected information to the patient and/or to their health care provider(s). In some embodiments, stimulation of the patient's stomach is also provided to reduce caloric intake. | 10-13-2011 |
20120116182 | Feedback Systems and Methods to Enhance Obstructive and Other Obesity Treatments, Optionally Using Multiple Sensors - Feedback systems and methods enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments by presenting feedback regarding patients' actual eating. An ingestion restricting implant body can be deployed along the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, ingestion alters the implant body, which, in turn, generates signals. The generated signals can be used to inhibit unhealthy ingestion by the patient. In other embodiments, the implant body can be altered by signals so as to selectable change the restriction imposed on the gastrointestinal tract, optionally in response to ingestion events, an eating schedule, or the like. The implant body may comprise a gastric band. Sensor signals may be processed to identify ingestion and/or characterize ingestion material, and the results may be displayed on a screen for a patient or coach to view. | 05-10-2012 |
20120214140 | Feedback Systems and Methods for Communicating Diagnostic and/or Treatment Signals to Enhance Obesity Treatments - Feedback systems and methods communicate implanted sensor-based feedback signals to promote behavior modifications that ameliorate obesity and other eating disorders. The system and methods described may also be applicable to any treatment in which presenting feedback regarding patients' eating and exercise habits is desired. The present invention provides a method and system for treating a patient by collecting ingestion and exercise information about the patient from an implanted sensor and communicating the collected information to the patient, his or her physician and/or other health care providers. In some embodiments, stimulation of the patient's stomach is also provided to reduce caloric intake. In some embodiments, the collected data is transmitted to a central server. Further embodiments may provide access to additional information in conjunction with the collected patient information, such as a calorie database, an exercise planner, and so forth, with the data optionally being used within a social networking system. | 08-23-2012 |
20140295390 | Feedback Systems and Methods for Communicating Diagnostic and/or Treatment Signals to Enhance Obesity Treatments - Feedback systems and methods communicate implanted sensor-based feedback signals to promote behavior modifications that ameliorate obesity and other eating disorders. The system and methods described may also be applicable to any treatment in which presenting feedback regarding patients' eating and exercise habits is desired. The present invention provides a method and system for treating a patient by collecting ingestion and exercise information about the patient from an implanted sensor and communicating the collected information to the patient, his or her physician and/or other health care providers. In some embodiments, stimulation of the patient's stomach is also provided to reduce caloric intake. In some embodiments, the collected data is transmitted to a central server. Further embodiments may provide access to additional information in conjunction with the collected patient information, such as a calorie database, an exercise planner, and so forth, with the data optionally being used within a social networking system. | 10-02-2014 |