Microstimulator Implantation Device for Gastrointestinal Tract

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, and irritable bowel syndrome often require invasive surgical methods or have limited effectiveness in addressing neuromuscular imbalances and muscle tone issues within the gastrointestinal tract.

Innovation Solution

The development of a device and method for implanting microstimulators at specific sites within the gastrointestinal tract using endoscopic, laparoscopic, or open surgical techniques, which can stimulate or inhibit muscle activity to treat various gastrointestinal disorders by enhancing muscle tone and neuromuscular function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical methods are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but invasiveness increases and patient recovery time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical intervention with electrical stimulation delivered through microstimulators. Instead of mechanically altering or removing tissue, the invention uses electrical fields to modulate neuromuscular function, thereby treating gastrointestinal disorders with a non-mechanical approach that reduces invasiveness while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and parameters of the treatment by using electrical stimulation with specific voltage, frequency, and pulse duration parameters. The microstimulators deliver controlled electrical parameters to activate or inhibit neuromuscular activity, transforming the treatment modality from mechanical to electrical with adjustable parameters that can be optimized for different conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If current treatments for gastrointestinal disorders are used, then some symptoms are addressed, but neuromuscular imbalances and muscle tone issues remain untreated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom managementVSAvoidcomprehensiveness of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The microstimulator device is designed with multi-functionality to address various gastrointestinal disorders through a single platform. The device can be programmed to deliver different stimulation patterns, frequencies, and intensities to treat diverse conditions including GERD, gastroparesis, and other neuromuscular disorders, providing comprehensive treatment capability that adapts to different clinical needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where the microstimulators can respond to physiological signals and adjust stimulation parameters accordingly. This closed-loop approach allows the device to monitor muscle activity and neuromuscular responses, automatically adjusting treatment parameters to optimize effectiveness and address underlying causes rather than just symptoms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If microstimulators are implanted using endoscopic techniques, then invasiveness is reduced, but device placement precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoiddevice placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the endoscope as an intermediary tool to deliver microstimulators to target sites within the gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope provides a minimally invasive access route while its imaging and positioning capabilities ensure precise placement of the microstimulators at the desired locations, bridging the gap between reduced invasiveness and maintained precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7871415B2Devices and methods for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

Publication Date: 2011.01.18 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

An implantation device for releasably holding implantable microstimulators can be used to guide one or more microstimulators to any site within the gastrointestinal tract for implantation. The device can further releasably hold one or more ligation clips for securing the one or more microstimulators in place within the implantation site(s) and/or for closing an incision in which a microstimulator is implanted. The device can be employed using open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic techniques.