Systems and methods for treating obesity and other gastrointestinal conditions

Abstract

Systems and methods affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter and/or serve to mediate or moderate receptive relaxation of muscles in the stomach, to treat or mitigate various physiologic conditions, such as obesity, biliary reflex, GERD, and/or Barrett's esophagus. The systems and methods may be used as either a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

1 . A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       2 . A method to treat obesity comprising the step of ablating tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter to affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       3 . A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       4 . A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step ablating tissue in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter to affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       5 . A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to a tissue region, at, or near the pyloric sphincter, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue region. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 5   wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.   
   
   
       7 . A method to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent a tissue region at or near the pyloric sphincter, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue region. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7   wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.   
   
   
       9 . A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to a tissue region, at, or near the pyloric sphincter, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue region. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 7   wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.   
   
   
       11 . A method to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent a tissue region at or near the pyloric sphincter, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue region. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11   wherein the treatment agent includes at least one cytokine and/or vanilloid compound and/or tissue bulking agent.   
   
   
       13 . A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a magnetic source fitted in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       14 . A method to treat obesity comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       15 . A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a magnetic source fitted in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       16 . A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source in, at, or near a region of the pyloric sphincter, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted in, at, or near another region of the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       17 . A system to treat obesity by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a tissue constricting band deployed in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       18 . A method to treat obesity comprising the step of deploying a tissue constricting band in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       19 . A system to treat biliary reflux by tightening a pyloric sphincter comprising a tissue-constricting band deployed in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       20 . A method to treat biliary reflux comprising the step of deploying a tissue-constricting band in, at, or near the pyloric sphincter. 
   
   
       21 . A system to treat obesity by mediating receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach comprising an operative device adopted and configured to ablate tissue in, at, or near a stomach region. 
   
   
       22 . A method to treat obesity comprising the step of ablating tissue in, at, or near a stomach region to mediate receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach. 
   
   
       23 . A system to treat obesity by mediating receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach comprising an operative device adopted and configured, in use, to be deployed adjacent to tissue in, at, or near a stomach region, and a source of treatment agent coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue. 
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 23   wherein the treatment agent includes at least vanilloid compound.   
   
   
       25 . A method to treat obesity comprising the steps of deploying an operative element adjacent tissue in, at, or near a stomach region, and applying through the operative element a treatment agent into contact with the tissue to mediate receptive relaxation of muscles of the stomach. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25   wherein the treatment agent includes at least one vanilloid compound.   
   
   
       27 . A system to treat obesity by moderating expansion of the stomach during intake of food comprising a magnetic source fitted to a region of the stomach, the magnetic source being sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to another region of the stomach to thereby moderate expansion of the stomach during intake of food. 
   
   
       28 . A system according to  claim 27   wherein the magnetic source comprises an array of magnets.   
   
   
       29 . A system according to  claim 28   wherein the array of magnets is carried by a biocompatible fabric.   
   
   
       30 . A method to treat obesity comprising the step of fitting a magnetic source to a region of the stomach sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to another region of the stomach to thereby moderate expansion of the stomach during intake of food.