Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract
US5836994A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus features an implantable pulse generator which may be coupled to the gastric system through one or more medical electrical leads. In the preferred embodiment the leads couple to the circular layer of the stomach. The pulse generator preferably features sensors for sensing gastric electrical activity, and in particular, whether peristaltic contractions are occurring. In particular two sensors are featured. The first sensor senses low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 0.017-0.25 Hz and the second sensor senses intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, which occurs upon normal peristaltic contractions. The second sensor only senses for a preset period after low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity has been sensed by the first sensor. The pulse generator further delivers stimulation pulse trains to the gastrointestinal tract at a period of time after low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity has been sensed by the first sensor. If, however, the second sensor senses intrinsic gastrointes…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.