Stomach Constriction Device with Electrical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gastric restriction surgeries, such as AGB, face complications like food pieces getting stuck in the stoma opening leading to vomiting and acid reflux, necessitating careful chewing and potential medical intervention.
Innovation Solution
A dual-action apparatus that combines gentle constriction of the stomach tissue with targeted stimulation to control food flow, allowing for adjustable restriction of food passage while maintaining normal blood circulation and minimizing complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a constricting band is placed completely around the stomach to restrict food intake, then weight control is improved, but food pieces may get stuck in the stoma opening causing vomiting and acid reflux
Solution Approach 1:
The stomach is segmented into two functional zones by the constricting band: a small gastric pouch above the band for controlled food intake and a larger stomach region below for normal digestion. This segmentation allows restriction of food quantity while maintaining proper food flow through the stoma opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The constricting band incorporates an inflatable cavity that can be dynamically adjusted by inflating or deflating through a subcutaneously implanted injection port. This dynamic adjustment allows the stoma opening size to be modified to prevent food pieces from getting stuck while still restricting overall food intake.
2Quantity of substance
If the stoma opening is made smaller to restrict food flow, then weight control is improved, but blood circulation in the constricted tissue wall may be hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The constricting band applies localized pressure only to the anterior wall of the stomach to create the gastric pouch and restrict food intake, while the posterior wall and other regions maintain normal blood circulation. This localized constriction prevents hampering of overall tissue blood flow.
3Ease of operation
If the constricting band is made adjustable to modify stoma size, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses pneumatic principles with an inflatable cavity filled through a subcutaneously implanted injection port. Fluid injection inflates the cavity to constrict the stomach, while fluid withdrawal deflates it to release constriction. This pneumatic system provides simple, reliable adjustment without complex mechanical components.
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 apparatus effectively restricts food flow in the stomach, reducing weight gain while minimizing complications like vomiting and acid reflux, by using a combination of constriction and stimulation to manage food passage without impeding blood circulation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject
Implementation Method 2
the constriction device is adapted to constrict the tissue wall of the patient's stomach by applying a force against the wall portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1E
Figure 1F~1H
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling the food flow in the food passageway formed by the tissue wall of a patient's stomach comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the food flow in the food passageway, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the food flow in the food passageway. The apparatus can be used for treating obesity, with a low risk of injuring the stomach.