Gastrointestinal Therapeutic Restriction via Injectable Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for treating obesity and related conditions, such as bariatric surgeries, are costly, invasive, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and existing non-surgical solutions often require long-term implants or endoluminal sutures that are poorly tolerated by the dynamic GI tract.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the advancement of a delivery element to the gastrointestinal tract to inject an injectate that creates a therapeutic restriction, which can be used to treat obesity and other conditions by restricting food passage, altering absorptive and secretive properties, and hormonal signaling, without the need for long-term implants or intestinal surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bariatric surgeries are performed, then dramatic weight loss is achieved, but significant morbidity and mortality occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight loss effectivenessVSAvoidmorbidity and mortality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surgical interventions (incisions, sutures, implants) with a chemical/biological approach using injectable materials that form a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive surgery while achieving similar weight loss effects through localized tissue reaction and restriction formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (injectable material) that mediates between the treatment goal (weight loss) and the patient's body. This intermediary forms a therapeutic restriction without direct mechanical intervention, reducing harm while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If long-term device implants or endoluminal sutures are used, then restrictive effects are achieved, but poor tolerance occurs due to dynamic GI tract

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestrictive effectVSAvoidtolerance and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biodegradable or temporarily active injectable materials that provide the restrictive effect only when needed, then naturally degrade or are absorbed by the body. This eliminates long-term foreign body presence that causes intolerance, while maintaining effective restriction during the treatment period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the injectable material over time - from initial solid/gel state providing restriction to gradual degradation into absorbable byproducts. This parameter transformation allows the material to fulfill its restrictive function then safely integrate with body tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If permanent intestinal surgical alteration is performed, then weight loss is achieved, but significant morbidity and complication risk occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight lossVSAvoidmorbidity and complication risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces permanent mechanical surgical alteration with a minimally invasive injection procedure. The therapeutic restriction is formed through chemical/biological interaction rather than mechanical cutting and suturing, dramatically reducing morbidity and complication risks while achieving comparable weight loss outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If bariatric surgeries are performed, then dramatic weight loss is achieved, but high costs and inpatient hospitalization are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight loss effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex surgical procedures requiring operating rooms, anesthesia teams, and inpatient care with a simpler injection-based procedure. This substitution of mechanical complexity with a chemical/biological approach reduces treatment complexity, costs, and hospitalization requirements while maintaining weight loss effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240261540A1Systems, devices and methods for the creation of a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract

Publication Date: 2024.08.08 FRACTYL HEALTH INC

AI summary

A system for treating a patient comprises a delivery device and injectate. The delivery device comprises an elongate shaft with a distal portion and at least one delivery element positioned on the elongate shaft distal portion. The delivery device is constructed and arranged to deliver the injectate through the at least one delivery element and into tissue to create a therapeutic restriction in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of creating a therapeutic restriction are also provided.