Self-adjusting esophageal restriction device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current obesity treatment systems, such as gastric banding, often require invasive procedures and may not be aesthetically pleasing, and existing alternatives like tissue plication and gastric sleeves can cause erosion or necrosis, while lacking self-adjusting mechanisms for esophageal dilation.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive, self-adjusting esophageal device with a compliant tubular-shaped artificial stoma and tissue anchors that emulates natural peristalsis, allowing for non-surgical implantation and removal, and can be adjusted endoscopically to control food passage, providing a non-surgical alternative for obesity treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gastric banding is used to restrict food passage, then satiety is promoted and weight loss is achieved, but invasive surgery is required and access ports are aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gastric band system with an endoscopic implantable device that uses peristalsis-mimicking material to achieve food restriction without invasive surgery. The device uses the body's natural peristaltic movements to propel food through the esophagus while maintaining restriction, eliminating the need for external access ports and invasive surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary implantable device that acts as a mediator between the esophageal wall and the food bolus. This device uses peristalsis-mimicking material to interact with food in a natural way, allowing restriction while accommodating normal swallowing and peristaltic function, thereby avoiding the need for invasive gastric banding.
2Reliability
If tissue plication is performed to create restriction, then food passage is limited, but erosion and necrosis are encouraged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the restriction mechanism by using peristalsis-mimicking material that dynamically adapts its properties. The material softens to accommodate food bolus passage and hardens to maintain restriction, eliminating the need for permanent tissue plication that causes erosion and necrosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic restriction mechanism that mimics natural peristalsis. The implantable device becomes compliant during swallowing to allow food passage, then returns to a restrictive state, creating a dynamic system that avoids the static tissue damage caused by permanent plication.
3Ease of manufacture
If a non-adjustable artificial stoma implant is used, then implantation is simpler, but the device cannot adapt to esophageal dilation and peristalsis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses peristalsis-mimicking material that changes its physical parameters in response to environmental stimuli. The material transitions between compliant and restrictive states based on the presence and pressure of food bolus, allowing the device to adapt to esophageal dilation and peristalsis while maintaining a simple implantable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a self-adjusting device that automatically responds to peristaltic waves and food bolus pressure without requiring external control or adjustment. The peristalsis-mimicking material self-regulates the restriction level based on natural physiological stimuli, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms.
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
The device effectively restricts food intake, promoting satiety without the need for direct physician adjustment, is obstruction-tolerant, and can be removed non-surgically, offering a safer and more patient-friendly option for obesity treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The peristalsis-mimicking material is configured to propel the bolus through the esophagus
Data Source
AI summary
Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a novel esophageal device implantable in the patient's body and designed to replicate the restrictive and satiety mechanism associated with gastric banding systems known in the art. The device can be a compliant and tubular-shaped and fixated within the gastro-esophageal lumen using tissue anchors.