Gastric Treatment/Diagnosis Device and Attachment Device and Method

Abstract

A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals. An endoscopic delivery system delivers the functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is attached the stomach wall. The endoscopic instruments attach or remove the attachment devices and functional devices from the stomach and may be used to assist in determining the optimal attachment location.

1 . An attachment device for attaching an implantable functional device to a stomach wall, wherein the functional device performs a diagnostic or therapeutic function at a stomach from within a body of the patient, the attachment device comprising:
 a securing device operative to secure the attachment device to the stomach wall, said securing device comprising a first portion at least a portion of which is arranged to extend into and through the stomach wall when said attachment device is attached to the stomach wall;   a coupling device arranged to receive and couple the functional device to the attachment device;   an expandable distal portion coupled to said first portion, wherein the distal portion is sized in a first configuration to pass through an opening in the stomach wall; wherein the distal portion expands sufficiently to restrainingly engage a stomach wall surface around the opening;   a second portion coupled to said first portion, said expandable distal portion and second portion arranged to secure the attachment device to the stomach wall by restrainingly engaging an inner stomach wall surface and an outer stomach wall surface; and   an electrode disposed along the first portion between the expandable portion and the second portion so as to electrically couple the electrode to the stomach wall.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein said-second portion comprises a bumper arranged to engage said first portion of the attachment device so that said bumper abuts the inner surface of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable distal portion comprises a spring mechanism biased in an expanded position. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable distal portion comprises an inflatable member. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment device of  claim 4  further comprising:
 an inflation lumen in fluid communication with said inflatable member and an inflation medium for inflating said inflatable member.   
     
     
         6 . The attachment device of  claim 4 , wherein said inflation medium comprises a curable polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a functional device configured to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic function at the stomach.   
     
     
         8 . The attachment device of  claim 7 , wherein the functional device comprises electronic circuitry configured to supply an electrically stimulating signal to a stomach wall through an electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment device of  claim 8  wherein the functional device further comprises an electrode coupled to the electronic circuitry and configured to be electrically coupled to the stomach wall. 
     
     
         10 . An attachment device for attaching an implantable functional device to a stomach wall, wherein the functional device performs a diagnostic or therapeutic function at a stomach from within a body of the patient, the attachment device comprising:
 a securing device operative to secure the attachment device to the stomach wall, said securing device comprising a first portion at least a portion of which is arranged to extend into and through the stomach wall when said attachment device is attached to the stomach wall;   an expandable distal portion and a proximal portion disposed along the first portion, wherein when said attachment device is deployed and said first portion extends through said stomach wall the expandable distal portion and the proximal portion engage an outer surface of the stomach wall and an inner surface of the stomach wall;   an electrode disposed along an outer surface of the first portion between the expandable distal portion and the proximal portion so as to electrically couple the functional device to the stomach wall; and   a coupling device arranged to receive and couple the functional device to the attachment device after the attached device has been secured to the stomach wall.   
     
     
         11 . The attachment device of  claim 10 , wherein said distal portion comprises an expandable member. 
     
     
         12 . An attachment means for attaching an implantable functional means to a stomach wall, the functional means comprising signal generation means and a power source configured for implantation into the patient, the attachment means comprising:
 a securing means for securing the attachment means to the stomach wall; and   a coupling means for receiving and coupling said functional means to said attachment means so as to mechanically support the functional means on the wall of the stomach after the attachment means has been secured to the stomach wall.   
     
     
         13 . The attachment means of  claim 12  further comprising a releasable latch means for latching and unlatching said coupling means from a coupled engagement with a device attached to said attachment means. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment means of  claim 12  further comprising a release means for releasing said attachment means from engagement with a stomach wall. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment means of  claim 12 , wherein said securing means is arranged to secure said attachment means in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the natural orientation of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment means of  claim 12  further comprising an expandable means for securing said attachment means to the stomach wall. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment means of  claim 12  wherein said expandable means comprises an inflatable means for sealingly securing said expandable means adjacent an outer surface of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment means of  claim 12  further comprising a bumper means for engaging the attachment means so that said bumper means abuts an inner surface of the stomach wall.