Conformationally-Stabilized Duodenal Device for Obesity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing obesity, including surgical and non-surgical approaches, are invasive, costly, and often ineffective in achieving sustained weight loss due to limitations in triggering biological satiety signals, leading to challenges in controlling obesity-related health issues.
Innovation Solution
A duodenal device with a solid elongate body and flow reduction elements is positioned within the gastrointestinal tract to conform to the duodenal shape, slowing food transit and releasing bioactive agents to stimulate satiety signals, thereby reducing food intake without anchoring to the stomach or pylorus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgical procedures are used to reduce stomach size or bypass portions of the small intestine, then food intake and weight loss are reduced, but the procedures are highly invasive, cause pain and discomfort, and may result in life-threatening postoperative complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive surgical mechanical procedures with a non-surgical intraluminal device that uses flow reduction elements and bioactive agents to achieve weight loss. The device substitutes surgical intervention with a less invasive approach that delivers satiety-inducing agents directly to the duodenum, avoiding the harmful effects of surgery while maintaining weight loss effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that delivers bioactive agents (such as satiety-inducing hormones or nutrients) to the duodenum. This intermediary approach allows the device to mediate between the patient's digestive system and the desired outcome of reduced food intake, avoiding direct surgical manipulation while achieving similar therapeutic effects.
2Productivity
If gastric balloon is placed within the stomach to fill space, then food intake is reduced, but patient tolerance is poor and complications due to rupture and migration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the functional effect of gastric balloons (reducing food intake through volume occupation) but implements it in a different location (duodenum rather than stomach) using flow reduction elements. This approach achieves the same satiety-inducing effect without the complications of balloon rupture and migration, as the device is anchored in the duodenal fold structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flow reduction elements specifically at the duodenal fold structure, creating a localized effect in the duodenum rather than a generalized gastric filling approach. This localized application improves device stability by anchoring to the specific anatomical structure while reducing the risk of migration and rupture associated with gastric balloons.
3Productivity
If intraluminal device is used to limit nutrient absorption, then weight loss is achieved, but the device must remain stable in the gastrointestinal tract without anchoring to the stomach or pylorus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the device to self-anchor by utilizing the natural duodenal fold structure. The flow reduction elements are configured to engage with and be held in place by the duodenal fold without requiring external anchoring mechanisms to the stomach or pylorus. This self-service approach simplifies the device design while maintaining stability for effective weight loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the curved configuration of the duodenal fold structure to anchor the flow reduction elements. The device elements are shaped or positioned to conform to the curved duodenal anatomy, allowing them to be held in place by the natural curvature of the duodenum without requiring additional anchoring mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to devices that are stabilized at an intraluminal residence site in the gastrointestinal tract by their conformation, including dimensions of length and curvature. The device as a whole corresponds to the conformation of the residence site; more particularly, the curved or angled portions correspond to the curved or angled portions of the residence site and do not conform to an immediately proximal or distal site. In some embodiments, the conformationally stabilized device may effect a change in the residence site shape that contributes to stability of the device. Some embodiments are directed toward curbing appetite and/or reducing food intake, other embodiments may be directed toward other therapeutic ends. Some embodiments of the device are designed to reside wholly in the duodenum; others reside principally within the duodenum but extend proximally into the gastric antrum, while other embodiments are designed to reside elsewhere within the gastrointestinal tract.