Duodenal Sensory Nerve Ablation With Laser Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive methods for managing Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, such as bariatric surgery and endoluminal devices, suffer from high risks, costs, and side effects, and lack optimal solutions for the majority of patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of laser radiation to selectively target and damage sensory neurons in the duodenal wall, minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues through cooling and shielding, thereby blocking or modulating neural activity triggered by food passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bariatric surgery procedures are used to bypass the duodenum, then weight loss and diabetes management improve, but surgical risk and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical intervention with laser energy delivery. Instead of physically bypassing the duodenum through surgery, the invention uses laser radiation to selectively damage sensory neurons in the duodenal wall, achieving metabolic modulation without the risks of major surgery. This substitutes a mechanical system (surgical bypass) with an energy-based system (laser ablation).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and targets only the specific neural components responsible for triggering metabolic responses. By using laser radiation to selectively damage sensory neurons while preserving other duodenal functions, the procedure removes only the problematic neural signaling pathway without requiring complete surgical bypass of the entire duodenum.
2Reliability
If laser radiation is used to damage sensory neurons, then neural activity blocking improves, but thermal damage to surrounding tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies laser radiation with highly localized precision to damage only sensory neurons in the duodenal wall. The laser energy is focused on specific neural targets while surrounding tissues are protected through cooling mechanisms and selective wavelength selection. This creates different thermal zones: a hot zone at the focal point for neural ablation, and cooler surrounding zones that preserve tissue integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces cooling mechanisms as intermediary elements between the laser radiation and surrounding tissues. These cooling systems act as thermal buffers that absorb excess heat and prevent it from damaging adjacent healthy tissues while allowing the laser to effectively ablate the target neurons. The cooling intermediary protects surrounding structures from harmful thermal effects.
3Ease of operation
If endoluminal devices are inserted into the stomach, then invasiveness reduces, but device migration and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical endoluminal devices with laser energy delivery. Instead of inserting physical devices that can migrate or cause mechanical side effects, the invention uses laser radiation delivered through a catheter to achieve neural ablation. This substitutes a mechanical device-based approach with an energy-based approach, eliminating device migration risks while maintaining minimally invasive access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively treats conditions like obesity and Type 2 Diabetes with minimal side effects by modulating metabolic balance and gastrointestinal motility without impairing essential duodenal functions.
Implementation Method 1
introducing at least one laser element into the organ; actuating the laser element to emit laser radiation; focusing the laser radiation to a target area within or in contact with at least part of a wall of the organ
Implementation Method 2
such that the radiation is configured to cause damage to at least part of the sensory nerves
Implementation Method 3
minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues through cooling and shielding
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides, according to some embodiments, methods and systems for selectively reducing, blocking or inhibiting at least part of the neural activity in an organ of a subject. In preferred embodiments, the method and system are used for selectively blocking at least part of the neural activity in a duodenum of a subject in need thereof. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of ultrasound energy. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking comprises causing damage to at least part of sensory nerves located within a target area while maintaining functional activity of tissue surrounding the sensory nerves by means of shielding it from the effects of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the sensory nerves include neurons configured to transmit signals triggered by food passing through the duodenum, such as, but not limited to, neurohormonal signals.