Flexible and stretchable electrodes for gastrointestinal implants

US10391310B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Wentai Liu · Los Angeles, US
• James C. Dunn · Palo Alto, US
• Benjamin M. Wu · San Marino, US
• Yi-Kai Lo · Los Angeles, US
• Chih-Wei Chang · Nan'ao, TW
• Justin P. Wagner · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 27, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/08
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A gastrointestinal stimulation apparatus and methods with an electronic controller and a flexible and stretchable electrode array with a central branch and orthogonal bilateral branches that wrap around a section of the gastrointestinal tract and can accommodate repetitive contraction and relaxation movements of the tract. Array branches have a flexible spring structure, stimulation electrodes, recording electrodes, sensors controlled by a controller and adhesion nodes that fix the branches to the tissue. The electrode array can sense the normal peristalsis from upstream tissue and produce a stimulus signal to stimulate the incapable intestine section to generate stimulation-induced contractions. Electrodes on the incapable intestine section can be used for stimulation or recording, the recorded signal from the incapable intestine section can be sent back to the electronics to form a closed loop control system. An impedance measurement using current stimulation can be used to capture low frequency contraction signals.