2290 results about "Digestive tract" patented technology

A novel approach to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the peritoneal cavity is described. More specifically, a technique for accessing the peritoneal cavity via the wall of the digestive tract is provided so that examination of and/or a surgical procedure in the peritoneal cavity can be conducted via the wall of the digestive tract with the use of a flexible endoscope. As presently proposed, the technique is particularly adapted to transgastric peritoneoscopy. However, access in addition or in the alternative through the intestinal wall is contemplated and described as well. Transgastric and/or transintestinal peritoneoscopy will have an excellent cosmetic result as there are no incisions in the abdominal wall and no potential for visible post-surgical scars or hernias.

The invention provides a hydrogel-type sustained-release preparation comprising (1) at least one drug, (2) an additive which insures a penetration of water into the core of the preparation and (3) a hydrogel-forming polymer, wherein said preparation is capable of undergoing substantially complete gelation during its stay in the upper digestive tract such as stomach and small intestine and is capable of releasing the drug in the lower digestive tract including colon.By the preparation of the invention, the drug is efficiently released and absorbed even in the colon so that a steady and sustained release effect can be achieved.

The invention relates to improved means for preventing buckling and therefore eversion of thin-walled, flexible, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to buckling and therefore eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary anti-buckling mechanisms provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist buckling and therefore eversion. In some embodiments, the anti-buckling mechanism is as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.

This invention is a system, method, and article of manufacture for imaging tubular structures of the human body, such as the digestive tract of a living person, with a medical imaging device such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner and a computer work station. The system comprises receiving a first image data set representative of a portion of the colon in a prone position and a second image data set representative of a portion of the colon in a supine position, at a series of viewpoints. At each of the viewpoints, an image is generated of the colon in the prone and supine positions. The prone and supine images of the colon are simultaneously displayed on a screen display in a dual view mode.

An implant configured for ingestion by a patient. After the implant has been swallowed by the patient and is disposed within the target location, e.g. the patient's stomach, an inflation subcomponent causes the implant to expand from a compact delivery state to an expanded, volume-occupying, deployed state. In the deployed state the implant creates a sensation of satiety in the patient stomach and thereby aids in limiting food intake and obesity. After a predetermined time a deflation subcomponent is actuated and the implant reduces in size so as to allow it to pass through the remainder of the patient's digestive track. The device may further incorporate tracking and visualization subcomponents, as well as pharmaceutical delivery subcomponents.

Oral dosage forms of a bisphosphonate comprised of a safe and effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bisphosphonate, a chelating agent, and, means for effecting delayed release of the bisphosphonate and the chelating agent in the lower gastrointestinal tract provide delivery of the pharmaceutical composition to the lower gastrointestinal tract of the mammal subject and pharmaceutically effective absorption of the bisphosphonate with or without food or beverages. The present invention substantially alleviates the interaction between bisphosphonates and food or beverages, which interaction results in the bisphosphonate active ingredient not being available for absorption. The resulting oral dosage form may thus be taken with or without food. Further, the present invention effects delivery of the bisphosphonate and the chelating agent to the lower GI tract, substantially alleviating the upper GI irritation associated with bisphosphonate therapies. These benefits simplify previously complex treatment regimens and can lead to increased patient compliance with bisphosphonate therapies.

The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removeably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.

The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removeably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.

Devices and methods are provided for ablational treatment of regions of the digestive tract in post-bariatric surgery patients who fail to achieve or maintain the desired weight loss. Bariatric procedures include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion, and sleeve gastrectomy. These procedures reconstruct gastrointestinal tract features, creating pouches, stoma, and tubes that restrict and/or divert the digestive flow. Post-surgical dilation of altered structures is common and diminishes their bariatric effectiveness. Ablation of compromised structures can reduce their size and compliance, restoring bariatric effectiveness. Ablation, as provided the invention, starts at the mucosa and penetrates deeper into the gastrointestinal wall in a controlled manner. Control may also be provided by a fractional ablation that ablates some tissue within a target region and leaves a portion substantially unaffected. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees.

Instruments, systems and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include safe access needle injection instruments incorporating electrosurgical capability, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, a mucosal resection device and submucosal biopsy system. Systems include a combination of one or more of such instruments with or without injectable agents. Embodiments of various methods for performing the procedures are also provided.

The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removeably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.

An object of the present invention is that the examiner easily picks up a series of images over a desired region in a desired digestive tract without such troublesome examination work that the examiner successively knows the imaging field to the inside of the digestive tract. A body-insertable device system of the invention includes a capsule endoscope 1, a permanent magnet 3, and a position display sheet 2. In the capsule endoscope 1, a imaging unit for picking up the images of the insides of an subject 100, and a magnet are contained in a casing. The capsule endoscope sends a radio signal containing information of the images of the insides of the subject 100 to outside the capsule endoscope. The permanent magnet 3 generates a magnetic field for application to the capsule endoscope 1 in liquid Lq1 having been introduced into the subject 100 and changes at least one of a position and a posture of the capsule endoscope 1 by the magnetic field. The position display sheet 2 visually presents an approaching position of the subject 100 that the permanent magnet 3 approaches to generate a magnetic field.