US5292344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Percutaneously placed electrical gastrointestinal pacemaker stimulatory system, sensing system, and pH monitoring system, with optional delivery port
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-07-10
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2012-07-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a system for delivering electrical impulses of suitable magnitude and frequency to the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The system senses the motor activity of the intestinal tract, thus providing feedback as to the body's response to the imposed electrical stimulation. Further, the system monitors critical parameters of gastrointestinal luminal contents, such as pH. Moreover, the system may include a delivery port for administration of fluids or materials to the gastrointestinal tract, and/or for removing fluids or materials from the gastrointestinal tract. Preferably, the system penetrates the skin surface and the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract, in the stomach, intestine, or colon. The invention provides embodiments which can be adapted for easy removal for placement on a short-term basis, as well as embodiments having a longer-lasting design for placement on a relatively permanent basis.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Douglas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/42; A61B5/4222; A61B5/4255; A61B5/03; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/02; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36007; A61M2025/0213; A61M2025/0233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A stimulatory system especially suitable for being placed percutaneously into a subject's gastorintestinal tract, the system comprising: means for providing an electrical current; means for percutaneously carrying the electrical current through the skin of a subject at a point substantially directly adjacent a portion of the gastrointestinal tract; and means for applying the electrical current directly to the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract from inside the gastrointestinal tract, the means for applying extending, at least in part, in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of the means for carrying so as to extend substantially away from the means for carrying to allow the means for applying to directly contact the inner lining.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A stimulatory system especially suitable for being placed percutaneously into a subject's gastorintestinal tract, the system comprising: means for providing an electrical current; means for percutaneously carrying the electrical current through the skin of a subject at a point substantially directly adjacent a portion of the gastrointestinal tract; and means for applying the electrical current directly to the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract from inside the gastrointestinal tract, the means for applying extending, at least in part, in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction of the means for carrying so as to extend substantially away from the means for carrying to allow the means for applying to directly contact the inner lining.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for adjusting the magnitude of the current, to which the means for providing is responsive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the means for providing electrical current includes: means for providing pulses of electrical current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 3, further comprising: means for adjusting a repetition rate of the pulses of electrical current, to which the means for providing is responsive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the means for applying includes: at least one stimulative electrode at the end of at least one respective tentacle shaped for causing the at least one respective stimulative electrode to physically contact the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract, the at least one tentacle extending generally away from and outside the means for carrying, back in the direction of the inner lining to directly contact the inner lining.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a pH measurement device, which, when disposed within the gastrointestinal tract, provides an electrical indication of the pH of contents of the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 6, further comprising: means for receiving the electrical indication from the means for measuring the pH, and for providing an indication thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure measurement device, which, when disposed within the gastrointestinal tract, provides an electrical indication of pressure in the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8, further comprising: means for receiving the electrical indication from the pressure measurement device, and for providing an indication thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the pressure measurement device is arranged sufficiently distant from and loosely coupled to the means for carrying electrical signals, so as to adapt the pressure measurement device to be disposed lower in the intestinal tract than the means for carrying electrical signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a muscle electrical activity measurement device, which, when disposed in the gastrointestinal tract, provides an electrical indication of muscle electrical activity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising: means for receiving the electrical indication from the muscle electrical activity measurement device, and for providing an indication thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the means for applying includes: at least one stimulative electrode disposed substantially near the means for carrying; and at least one additional stimulative electrode disposed substantially further from the means for carrying than the at least one stimulative electrode disposed near the means for carrying, the at least one additional stimulative electrode placed at or near the end of a soft member so as to allow the additional stimulative electrode(s) to float lower in the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the means for carrying includes: a flexible tube; and means for securing the tube in place.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 14, wherein the means for securing includes: a mushroom-shaped structure attached to the tube by the gastrointestinal tract and having lateral dimensions larger than the means for carrying.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the mushroom-shaped structure is soft and compressible.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the mushroom-shaped structure is firm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a port, extending substantially parallel to the means for carrying electrical current, the port constituting a conduit between the outside of the subject and the interior of the gastrointestinal tract, so that materials may be introduced into or removed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a response sensing device, which, when disposed lower in the gastrointestinal tract than the means for applying, senses gastrointestinal activity occurring in response to the means for applying; and a delay sensing means for sensing a delay time between (1) application of the electrical current by the means for applying and (2) any sensed gastrointestinal activity from the response sensing device, and for causing the means for providing to immediately provide additional electrical current when no responsive gastrointestinal activity is sensed or when the delay exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for stimulating muscular activity in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, comprising the steps of: inserting percutaneously a device having stimulative electrodes through the subject's skin and into the gastrointestinal tract; and applying an electrical current to the device to directly electrically stimulate the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract from inside the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for stimulating muscular activity in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, comprising the steps of: inserting percutaneously a device having stimulative electrodes through the subject's skin and into the gastrointestinal tract; and applying an electrical current to the device to directly electrically stimulate the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract from inside the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: adjusting the magnitude of the electrical current.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: adjusting a rate at which pulses of electrical current are provided.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the applying step comprises: applying the electrical current as a function of time in a manner causing substantially normal peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the inserting step comprises: inserting a device having one or more stimulative electrodes at or near the end of tentacles which curve back from a percutaneously inserted tube, to touch an inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the inserting step comprises: inserting a device having one or more stimulative electrodes at or near the end of tentacles which curve back from a percutaneously inserted tube, loosely coupled to the tube so as to allow the one or more stimulative electrodes to float freely within the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the inserting step comprises: inserting a device having one or more sensor electrodes at or near the end of tentacles which curve back from a percutaneously inserted tube, loosely coupled to the tube so as to allow the one or more sensor electrodes to float freely in a lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: measuring the pH of contents in the gastrointestinal tract; and providing an indication thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: measuring pressure within the gastrointestinal tract; and providing an indication thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: measuring electrical muscle activity within the gastrointestinal tract; and providing an indication thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising: sensing a delay between (1) an applied electrical current and (2) a response thereto at a different point in the gastrointestinal tract; and applying additional electrical current when there is no response within a given time period or when the delay is greater than a predetermined threshold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |