Method and
system for providing electrical pulses to the
gastric wall of a patient to provide therapy for
obesity /
eating disorders comprises implantable and external components. The implantable components are a lead and rechargeable implantable
pulse generator, comprising rechargeable
lithium-
ion or
lithium-
ion polymer battery. The external components are a
programmer and an external recharger. In one embodiment, the implanted
pulse generator may also comprise stimulus-
receiver means, and a
pulse generator means with rechargeable battery. The rechargeable implanted pulse generator of this embodiment is also adapted to work in conjunction with an external stimulator. In another embodiment, the implanted pulse generator is adapted to be rechargeable, utilizing
inductive coupling with an external recharger. Existing gastric stimulators may also be adapted to be used with rechargeable power sources as disclosed herein. The implanted
system may also use a lead with two or more electrodes, for
selective stimulation and / or blocking. In another embodiment, the external stimulator and / or
programmer may comprise an optional
telemetry unit. The addition of the
telemetry unit to the external stimulator and / or
programmer provides the ability to remotely interrogate and change stimulation programs over a
wide area network, as well as other networking capabilities.