Noninvasively adjustable gastric band
US7899540B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically stimulating the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal/cardia junction, cardia/fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. A device comprising a gastric band including stimulation electrodes may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. A programmable implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode. Methods are also provided to identify electrodes nearest to a branch of the vagus nerve to apply an electrical stimulation signal with improved efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.