Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Gastric Distention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current obesity management treatments, such as surgical interventions and nutritional supplements, are often ineffective and pose significant risks, while electrical stimulation therapy is limited by side effects and battery longevity in implanted devices.

Innovation Solution

Delivering electrical stimulation therapy with specific pulse widths, ranging from approximately 1 to 50 milliseconds, to cause gastric distention, thereby discouraging excessive food intake and promoting weight loss while conserving battery resources and minimizing adverse side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical stimulation therapy is delivered with longer pulse widths to cause gastric distention, then effectiveness in discouraging food intake is improved, but power consumption increases and battery longevity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in causing gastric distentionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by identifying and implementing an optimal pulse width range (1-50 milliseconds) that balances therapeutic effectiveness with power conservation. This specific parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the sweet spot where gastric distention is effectively induced without excessive power consumption that would deplete battery longevity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial action by delivering electrical stimulation in controlled pulses rather than continuous stimulation. By using intermittent pulsed delivery within the optimal width range, the system achieves sufficient gastric distention effect while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from continuous or overly intense stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If electrical stimulation therapy is delivered with longer pulse widths to cause gastric distention, then effectiveness in discouraging food intake is improved, but undesirable side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in causing gastric distentionVSAvoidundesirable side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter optimization by establishing that pulse widths within the 1-50 millisecond range effectively induce gastric distention while avoiding the threshold for undesirable side effects. This parameter boundary definition ensures therapeutic efficacy without crossing into harmful territory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by delivering stimulation at intensities and durations sufficient to achieve gastric distention but deliberately staying below the threshold that would cause excessive or harmful effects. This controlled partial stimulation achieves the therapeutic goal while minimizing adverse reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If surgical intervention is performed to limit food intake, then effectiveness in weight loss is improved, but risks of side effects and complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in weight lossVSAvoidrisks of side effects and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of physically altering the stomach through surgery to limit food intake, the system uses electrical pulses to induce gastric distention sensations that naturally discourage overeating. This substitution eliminates surgical risks while maintaining weight loss effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical stimulation system acts as an intermediary between the patient's nervous system and the goal of weight management. Rather than directly restricting food intake through surgery, the stimulation mediates the process by inducing fullness sensations that naturally lead to reduced food consumption, avoiding the harmful effects of surgical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8185206B2Electrical stimulation therapy to promote gastric distention for obesity management

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

The disclosure is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to support obesity management. The electrical stimulation therapy is configured to cause at least partial gastric distention. Gastric distention tends to induce a sensation of fullness and thereby discourages excessive food intake by the patient. The electrical stimulation therapy may be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract of the patient by electrodes deployed by one or more implantable leads coupled to an electrical stimulator. The electrical stimulator delivers stimulation pulses having a pulse width in a range found to be effective in causing gastric distention.