Patent US6097984A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6097984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method of stimulation for treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1998-11-25
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-11-25
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a system and method for directly stimulating the LES of a patient in order to normally maintain it in a closed state, thereby preventing reflux and treating the symptoms of GERD. The stimulation is inhibited in response to patient swallowing, by monitoring esophageal motility and timing out an inhibition period following detection of motility representative of swallowing. The system utilizes an implanted stimulator which is programmed to deliver a train of stimulus pulses to one or more electrodes fixed around the gastro-esophageal junction and connected to the stimulator by one or more leads. The motility sensing is done by a sensor for sensing mechancial wave movement or electrical signals representative of high motility following swallowing. The motility sensor and stimulating electrodes are attached laproscopically, and are preferably carried by a common stent carrier which is sutured around the lower esophagus.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Douglas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A system for treating gastro-esophageal reflux by stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter of a patient, comprising: a stimulator for generating stimulus pulses; delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter; sensing means for sensing episodes of esophageal motility; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said stimulator following a sensed episode of esophageal motility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A system for treating gastro-esophageal reflux by stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter of a patient, comprising: a stimulator for generating stimulus pulses; delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter; sensing means for sensing episodes of esophageal motility; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said stimulator following a sensed episode of esophageal motility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said stimulator comprises a pulse generator for normally generating a continuous train of said stimulus pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as described in claim 2, wherein said delivery means comprises electrode means for positioning an array of electrodes in the area of the patient's gastro-esophageal junction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as described in claim 2, wherein said delivery means comprises electrode means for fixing at least one electrode to the patient's gastro-esophageal junction, and connecting means for connecting said pulses to said at least one electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as described in claim 4, wherein said electrode means comprises a plurality of electrodes, and fixing means for affixing said electrodes around said gastro-esophageal junction so that said stimulus pulses excite said sphincter to a closed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as described in claim 5, wherein said electrode means comprises an array of electrodes suitable for fixation substantially circumferentially around said gastro-esophageal junction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as described in claim 6, wherein said sensing means comprises a motility sensor suitable for attachment to the patient's esophagus, and comprising stent means for carrying said motility sensor and said electrode means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises accelerometer means for generating signals representative of peristaltic motion, and said inhibiting means comprises signal processing means for processing said representative signals to generate inhibition signals indicative of the timing of said episodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as described in claim 8, wherein said inhibiting means comprises circuit means for inhibiting generation of stimulus pulses by said generator upon generation of a said inhibition signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said inhibition means comprises timing means for inhibiting said generator for a predetermined time period following a said sensed episode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as described in claim 10, wherein said timing means times out an inhibition period having a duration in the range of 2 to 10 seconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said delivery means comprises one or more electrodes suitable for being positioned laterally on the lower esophageal junction, and said sensing means includes a motility sensor suitable for positioning at least about 5 cm above said one or more electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises at least one sensor suitable for positioning on the patient's esophagus and about 5-8 cm above the patient's lower esophageal junction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as described in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises at least one sensing element suitable for suturing to the patient's esophagus above said sphincter.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
44 words
A system for treating GERD, comprising: stimulating means for normally continuously and directly stimulating a patient's LES so as to maintain it in a substantially closed state; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said normal stimulating as a function of motility in the patient's esophagus.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
44 words
A system for treating GERD, comprising: stimulating means for normally continuously and directly stimulating a patient's LES so as to maintain it in a substantially closed state; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said normal stimulating as a function of motility in the patient's esophagus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as described in claim 15, wherein said stimulating means comprises electrode means connected at about the patient's gastro-esophageal junction, and motility sensing means positioned on the patient's esophagus above said junction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as described in claim 16, comprising carrier means for carrying said electrode means and said motility sensing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system as described in claim 16, wherein said inhibiting means comprises signal processing means for processing motility signals from said motility sensing means, and timing means for inhibiting stimulation of the patient's LES in response to detection of motiltiy signals representative of patient swallowing.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of treating GERD in a patient, comprising: directly stimulating the LES of a patient, said stimulating being normally continuous so as to maintain said LES in a substantially closed state; and sensing esophageal motility in said patient, and inhibiting said stimulating in response to sensed motility which is representative of swallowing.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of treating GERD in a patient, comprising: directly stimulating the LES of a patient, said stimulating being normally continuous so as to maintain said LES in a substantially closed state; and sensing esophageal motility in said patient, and inhibiting said stimulating in response to sensed motility which is representative of swallowing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 19, comprising inhibiting stimulating for a period in the range of about 2-10 seconds following swallowing by said patient.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for treating gastro-esophageal reflux by stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter of a patient, comprising: a stimulator for generating stimulus pulses; delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter; sensing means for sensing episodes of esophageal motility; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said stimulator following a sensed episode of motility, wherein said delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter comprises one of a collar, one or more metallic pieces, and one or more fabric pieces suitable for suturing to said lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for treating gastro-esophageal reflux by stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter of a patient, comprising: a stimulator for generating stimulus pulses; delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter; sensing means for sensing episodes of esophageal motility; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said stimulator following a sensed episode of motility, wherein said delivery means for delivering said stimulus pulses to said sphincter comprises one of a collar, one or more metallic pieces, and one or more fabric pieces suitable for suturing to said lower esophageal sphincter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |