Patent US5995872A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5995872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1998-10-01
•
Granted: 1999-11-30
•
Expires: 2018-10-01
Abstract
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 as 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 gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, then the delivery of stimulation pulse trains to the gastrointestinal tract is inhibited. In such a manner the present invention detects the occurrence of normal peristaltic contractions and further provides electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract if such normal peristaltic contrations are not detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivan Bourgeois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract; a first sensor for sensing intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the sensor emitting an intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity; a pulse generator coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract and the first sensor, the pulse generator emitting asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate, the pulse generator inhibiting the emission of asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate upon the emission of the intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the first sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract; a first sensor for sensing intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the sensor emitting an intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity; a pulse generator coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract and the first sensor, the pulse generator emitting asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate, the pulse generator inhibiting the emission of asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate upon the emission of the intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the first sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stimulation pulse trains comprise a series of pulse trains emitted at a frequency of 30 Hz and a duration of approximately 4 seconds, each pulse lasting 330 microseconds with an amplitude of between approximately 0.5 to 10 Volts or a current of between approximately 0.1 milliamps to 30 milliamps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pulse train having a first section and a second section, the first section having a first frequency, the second section having a second frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first frequency is greater than the second frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first frequency is less than the second frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first section has a first amplitude, the second section has a second amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first amplitude is less than the second amplitude.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract; a first sensor for sensing low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 0.017-0.25 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the sensor emitting a low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity; a second sensor for sensing intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract and the first sensor, the second sensor emitting an intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz within a pre-set period after the emission of a low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the first sensor; a pulse generator coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the first sensor and the second sensor, the pulse generator emitting asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate, the pulse generator inhibiting the emission of asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate upon the emission of the intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the second sensor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract; a first sensor for sensing low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 0.017-0.25 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the sensor emitting a low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity; a second sensor for sensing intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz, the sensor coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract and the first sensor, the second sensor emitting an intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal upon the sensing of intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of 100-300 Hz within a pre-set period after the emission of a low frequency gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the first sensor; a pulse generator coupled to the means for electrically coupling to the gastrointestinal tract, the first sensor and the second sensor, the pulse generator emitting asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate, the pulse generator inhibiting the emission of asynchronous stimulation pulse trains at a first rate upon the emission of the intrinsic gastrointestinal electrical activity signal by the second sensor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of electrically stimulating an comprising the steps of: sensing low frequency slow waves in the gastrointestinal tract; determining whether the sensed low frequency slow waves a exceeds predetermined slow wave amount; delivering slow wave electrical stimulation if the sensed low frequency slow waves do not exceed the predetermined slow wave amount and delivering burst electrical stimulation; sensing high frequency spike activity in the gastrointestinal tract; determining whether the sensed high frequency spike activity exceeds a predetermined fast wave amount; and delivering burst electrical stimulation if the sensed high frequency spike activity is lower than the predetermined fast wave amount.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of electrically stimulating an comprising the steps of: sensing low frequency slow waves in the gastrointestinal tract; determining whether the sensed low frequency slow waves a exceeds predetermined slow wave amount; delivering slow wave electrical stimulation if the sensed low frequency slow waves do not exceed the predetermined slow wave amount and delivering burst electrical stimulation; sensing high frequency spike activity in the gastrointestinal tract; determining whether the sensed high frequency spike activity exceeds a predetermined fast wave amount; and delivering burst electrical stimulation if the sensed high frequency spike activity is lower than the predetermined fast wave amount.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 9 wherein the step of sensing low frequency slow waves comprises sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 0.017-0.25 Hz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 9 wherein the step of sensing high frequency spike activity comprises sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 100-5000 Hz.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 9 wherein the step of sensing high frequency spike activity comprises sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 100-5000 Hz for only a preset period of time after the step of sensing low frequency slow waves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 9 wherein the step of delivering slow wave electrical stimulation comprises a series of pulse trains emitted at a frequency of 30 Hz and a duration of approximately 4 seconds, each pulse lasting 330 microseconds with an amplitude of between approximately 0.5 to 10 Volts or a current of between approximately 0.1 milliamps to 30 milliamps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 15 wherein the step of delivering burst electrical stimulation comprises delivering a series of pulse trains emitted at a frequency of 30 Hz and a duration of approximately 4 seconds, each pulse lasting 330 microseconds with an amplitude of between approximately 0.5 to 10 Volts or a current of between approximately 0.1 milliamps to 30 milliamps.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of electrically stimulating an organ comprising the steps of: determining the fullness of an organ within the GI tract; sensing the absence of muscular contractions in the organ; and delivering an electrical muscular contraction stimulation to the organ to thereby cause a contraction to occur in the organ.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of electrically stimulating an organ comprising the steps of: determining the fullness of an organ within the GI tract; sensing the absence of muscular contractions in the organ; and delivering an electrical muscular contraction stimulation to the organ to thereby cause a contraction to occur in the organ.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of electrically stimulating an organ of claim 15 wherein the step of sensing the absence of muscular contractions in the organ comprises: sensing low frequency slow waves; and sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 100-5000 Hz for only a preset period of time after the step of sensing low frequency slow waves.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: a pulse generator, the pulse generator generating electrical stimulation pulse trains at a pre set frequency, means for sensing low frequency slow waves in the gastrointestinal tract; and means for sensing high frequency spike activity in the gastrointestinal tract for a first pre set period of time after the sensing of low frequency slow waves, the means for sensing high frequency spike activity coupled to the pulse generator and inhibiting the generation of the electrical stimulation pulse trains for a second pre set period of time when the sensed high frequency spike activity exceeds a programmed high frequency spike activity value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for providing electrical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract comprising: a pulse generator, the pulse generator generating electrical stimulation pulse trains at a pre set frequency, means for sensing low frequency slow waves in the gastrointestinal tract; and means for sensing high frequency spike activity in the gastrointestinal tract for a first pre set period of time after the sensing of low frequency slow waves, the means for sensing high frequency spike activity coupled to the pulse generator and inhibiting the generation of the electrical stimulation pulse trains for a second pre set period of time when the sensed high frequency spike activity exceeds a programmed high frequency spike activity value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for sensing low frequency slow waves comprises means for sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 0.017-0.25 Hz.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for sensing high frequency spike activity for a first pre set period of time after the sensing of low frequency slow waves comprises means for sensing gastrointestinal electrical activity between the frequency of approximately 100-5000 Hz.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2237648A1
Cited
FR2453630A1
Cited
SU1651918A1
Cited
US4981470A
Cited
US5188104A
Cited
EP0571938A2
Cited
US5292344A
Cited
WO1994027672A1
Cited
US5836994A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |