6687 results about "Obesity" patented technology

The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an implanted device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity. Special surgical fasteners provide a lasting and durable attachment to the gastrointestinal tissue without causing excessive pressure that could result in tissue erosion and detachment of the implanted device. Fastener delivery devices that facilitate peroral placement and deployment of fasteners and secondary devices are also provided. Also described are implantable devices and attachment means that avoid causing excessive pressure within the tissue by having compliance that is compatible with the gastrointestinal tissues where it is attached.

An intragastric device generally comprises a strip digestive-resistant mesh material that is operable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration is sufficiently small to permit introduction of the digestive-resistant mesh material into a gastric lumen of the mammal. The second configuration is sufficiently large to prevent the digestive-resistant mesh material from passing through the mammals pylorus, thereby permitting the mesh member to act as an artificial bezoar. Methods and devices for delivering the mesh member are also provided, including a pusher that is operable to engage and disengage the mesh member for delivery through the gastric lumen via a delivery sheath.

The present invention teaches a method and apparatus for physiological modulation, including neural and gastrointestinal modulation, for the purposes of treating several disorders, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes. This includes chronically implanted neural and neuromuscular modulators, used to modulate the afferent neurons of the sympathetic nervous system to induce satiety. Furthermore, this includes neuromuscular stimulation of the stomach to effect baseline and intermittent smooth muscle contraction to increase gastric intraluminal pressure, which induces satiety, and stimulate sympathetic afferent fibers, including those in the sympathetic trunk, splanchnic nerves, and greater curvature of the stomach, to augment the perception of satiety.

A device and method for selectively engaging or penetrating a layer of a luminal organ wall where the luminal organ wall has a plurality of layers including an outermost layer and an innermost layer adjacent to the lumen of the organ. The device and method select one of the plurality of layers of the organ wall other than the innermost layer and deploy from within the lumen of the organ a tissue device through the innermost layer to a specific depth to engage or penetrate the selected one of the plurality of layers. The device and method may be employed to create luminal pouches or restrictive outlets. In a stomach organ, the device and methods may be employed to treat obesity by forming a gastric pouch with or without a restrictive outlet.

A system and method for providing pulsed electrical stimulation to one or both vagus nerve(s) of a patient to provide therapy for obesity, eating disorders, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The electrical pulses can be provided either unilaterally or bilaterally (left and right vagus nerves) and can be supra-diaphramatic or be sub-diaphramatic. The system comprising implantable stimulator, lead(s), an external stimulator, and a programmer. The implantable stimulator, comprising a pulse generator module, and a stimulus-receiver module which is used in conjunction with an external stimulator. Control circuitry ensures selective operation of one of the modules of the implanted stimulator, at a time. Further, the external stimulator comprises a telemetry module for remotely activating (or de-activating) programs over the internet, to arrive at the optimal program for each patient. Once the optimal “dose” is titrated using the external stimulator, the implanted pulse generator can then be programmed to similar parameters. The external stimulator in conjunction with the implanted stimulus-receiver can override the implanted pulse generator module, to provide extra dose of therapy, and also to conserve the implanted battery. The external stimulator is networked to other computers. Using the networking, a physician situated remotely can monitor and program the devices, as well as, automatically generate invoicing. In one embodiment, the external stimulator also comprises GPS circuitry for locating patient.

A method for the treatment of obesity or other disorders by electrical activation or inhibition of nerves is disclosed. This activation or inhibition can be accomplished by stimulating a nerve using an electrode. Dynamic stimulation through ramped cycling of electrical stimulation, stimulation frequency alteration, and / or duty cycle variance can produce therapeutic benefits.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating obesity includes an artificial fistula created between gastrointestinal organs such as between the stomach and the colon. The method includes selecting an implant comprising a passageway having an internal lumen with an inlet end and an outlet end. The passageway is positioned passing through a first wall of first gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the stomach) and a second wall of a second gastrointestinal organ (for example, passing through the wall of the large intestine) with the inlet end disposed within an interior of the first gastrointestinal organ and with the outlet disposed within an interior of the second gastrointestinal organ.

Methods and devices for simulating a gastric bypass and reducing the volume of the stomach involve placing a tubular liner along the lesser curve of the stomach cavity. Also, methods and devices for slowing gastric emptying involve placing valves within the stomach cavity near the gastrointestinal junction and / or the pylorus. These methods and devices may prevent a patient from drinking and eating large volumes at one time and from eating slowly all day.

Obesity or fat deposits are treated with ultrasound. In one embodiment, a waveguide-based apparatus and method are disclosed for applying ultrasound to a treatment-subject for the purpose of providing treatment or therapy for obesity, fat-deposits, cosmetic benefit or other bodily therapy tasks. In another embodiment, a novel apparatus and method are disclosed for providing at least one such treatment or therapy using a liquid-based waveguide. In yet another embodiment, a wearable apparatus is disclosed that incorporates a waveguide of the invention. Any of the embodiments has application to hospital use, clinical use or home use, for example, and the place of use will likely be determined by which treatment mechanism is employed and at what power-level.

Method and system to provide therapy for obesity and gastrointestinal disorders such as FGIDs, gastroparesis, gastro-esophageal reflex disease (GERD), pancreatitis and ileus comprises vagal blocking and / or vagal stimulation. Vagal blocking may be in the afferent or efferent direction, and may be with or without stimulation pulses. Blocking may be provided by one of a number of different electrical blocking techniques. Electrical signals may be provided with an external stimulator in conjunction with an implanted stimulus-receiver, or an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for temporary power source. In one embodiment, the external stimulator may comprise an optional telemetry unit. The addition of the telemetry unit to the external stimulator provides the ability to remotely interrogate and change stimulation programs over a wide area network, as well as other networking capabilities,

Disclosed are methods and devices to apply therapies to the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Visualization means and access means are disclosed as are devices and apparatus which can be used to perform the disclosed procedures and methods.

This invention encompasses methods for the treatment and prevention of disorders that include, but are not limited to, eating disorders; weight gain; obesity; irritable bowel syndrome; obsessive-compulsive disorders; platelet adhesion; apnea; affective disorders such as attention deficit disorders, depression, and anxiety; male and female sexual function disorders; restless leg syndrome; osteoarthritis; substance abuse including nicotine and cocaine addiction; narcolepsy; pain such as neuropathic pain, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic pain; migraines; cerebral function disorders; chronic disorders such as premenstrual syndrome; and incontinence. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms which comprise optically pure (+) sibutramine, optionally in combination with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor or a lipase inhibitor.

Compounds of the structuresare useful for treating conditions related to an excess of neuropeptide Y including obesity and circulatory disorders.

A method for treatment of obesity, especially morbid obesity, gastroparesis and other syndromes related to motor disorders of the stomach. The method of this invention utilizes a sensor to detect food entering the patient's stomach, thereby the sensor communicates with and activates at least one electrical stimulation device attached to either the stomach or the small intestine.

Methods for treating conditions or disorders which can be alleviated by reducing food intake are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist, alone or in conjunction with other compounds or compositions that affect satiety. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders, including obesity, Type II diabetes, eating disorders, and insulin-resistance syndrome. The methods are also useful for lowering the plasma glucose level, lowering the plasma lipid level, reducing the cardiac risk, reducing the appetite, and reducing the weight of subjects. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

A device (10) for treatment of obesity of a patient comprises an annular element (12) having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary, and an elongated flexible tube (14) extending from the relatively small inner boundary of the annular element to a distal end. The relatively large outer boundary is adapted to be attached to an inner wall of a stomach (100) of a patient, such that the annular element divides the stomach (100) into two chambers, an esophagus-end chamber close to an esophagus of the patient, and a pylorus-end chamber close to a pylorus of the patient. The invention also provides a method for treatment of obesity of a patient which includes inserting an annular element having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary into a stomach of the patient, and attaching the relatively large outer boundary of the annular element to an inner circumference of the stomach of the patient.

Disclosed are compositions, systems and methods for treating a subject's body, body part, tissue, body fluid cells, pathogens, or other undesirable matter involving the administration of a targeted thermotherapy that comprises a bioprobe (energy susceptive materials that are attached to a target-specific ligand). Such targeted therapy methods can be combined with at least one other therapy technique. Other therapies include hyperthermia, direct antibody therapy, radiation, chemo- or pharmaceutical therapy, photodynamic therapy, surgical or interventional therapy, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, and medical imaging, such as MRI, PET, SPECT, and bioimpedance. The disclosed therapies may be useful in the treatment of a variety of indications, including but not limited to, cancer of any type, such as bone marrow, lung, vascular, neuro, colon, ovarian, breast and prostate cancer, epitheleoid sarcomas, AIDS, adverse angiogenesis, restenosis, amyloidosis, tuberculosis, cardiovascular plaque, vascular plaque, obesity, malaria, and illnesses due to viruses, such as HIV.

Novel devices and methods that affect the neurologic and biological electrical conduction systems for the treatment various neurological and physiological disorders. Localized mechanical forces imparted by the inventive devices and methods modify or alter the mechanoelectric and or electrochemical properties of the affected tissues and biologic systems. Combinations of various technologies can be incorporated into the devices and methodologies for specific treatments. The devices and methods can be used to treat a number of neurologic and physiologic disorders such as Parkinson's, epilepsy, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmia, obesity, and others.

A fixation device for holding stimulating electrodes in electrical contact with the wall of a portion of the gastrointestinal tract is provided. In one embodiment, the fixation device includes an expandable member that fixes the electrodes in electrical contact with the gastrointestinal tract wall. Also provided is an implantable device and method for controlling the opening and / or closing of the pylorus. In particular a device and method is provided for stimulating the duodenum to control the closing / and or opening of the pylorus. Finally, a method is provided for treating obesity by controlling the pylorus to retain food in the stomach for a desired period of time, among other things to provide a feeling of satiety and / or to reduce hunger. One aspect includes controlling the pylorus's contraction by electrical stimulation of the duodenum.

I have discovered cosmetic or topical pharmaceutical compositions for external body part or organ slimming, firming, cellulite reduction, fat-reduction, and obesity control benefits that are in synergistic combination with benefits for the treatment of skin aging, skin wrinkles reduction, skin exfoliating, treatment of acne, treatment of rosacea, age-spots reduction, skin surface whitening, skin surface brightening striae distensae (stretch marks) reduction, treatment of pimples, treatment of skin infections and lesions, spider veins reduction, blood microcirculation (venous insufficiency) improvement, UVA / UVB protection of skin, and skin redness reduction. These compositions thus provide multiple combinations of skin and external body part or organ enhancement benefits that can be selective and specific for external body parts and organs such as face, chin, cheeks, arms, "love handles" in abdomen area, eye lids and eye zone, neck, breasts, thighs, and hips. These compositions include a body beneficial composition selected from certain nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical ingredients, a composition to promote collagen and elastin synthesis in the skin, and a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system.

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 includes methods and materials for manipulating the sense of satiety developed from the gastrointestinal transit of a substance in a mammal, whether the substance be a food or drug compound. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount, by a direct delivery route, of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprising nutrients and pharmacological agents to the mammal's gastrointestinal tract. The present system is designed to maximize satiety feedback from normal intestinal sensors by small amounts of nutrients or nutrient derivatives, in essence, to “fool” body sensors that are not usually in contact with nutrients unless very large amounts are ingested.

A method and apparatus for treating patients suffering from obesity or eating disorders by applying a predetermined stimulating signal to the patient's vagus nerve appropriate to alleviate the condition and by applying a neural conduction block to the vagus nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus nerve at the blocking site.