Gastric Simulation Anchor and Method

Abstract

A device, system and method for electrically stimulating the stomach is provided. A device system and method for attaching a stimulating device to the stomach wall is also provided.

1 . A gastric stimulation device comprising:
 a housing;   electronic circuitry contained within the housing;   at least one stimulating electrode configured to be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry, and configured to be positioned so that it is in electrical contact with the stomach tissue; and   an attachment device coupled to the housing and operative to couple the housing within a stomach cavity to the fundus region of a stomach.   
     
     
         2 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible member coupled to the housing and the attachment device. 
     
     
         3 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 1  further comprising: an electrode anchor operative to couple the at least one stimulating electrode to the antrum of the stomach. 
     
     
         4 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 3  further comprising a flexible member coupled to the electrode anchor and the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to deliver electrically stimulating signals to the stomach tissue through the at least one stimulating electrode. 
     
     
         6 . A gastric stimulation device comprising:
 a housing;   electronic circuitry contained within the housing; at least one stimulating electrode configured to be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry, and configured to be positioned so that it is in electrical contact with the stomach tissue;   an attachment device coupled to the housing and operative to couple the housing within a stomach cavity to the stomach; and   an electrode anchor operative to couple the at least one stimulating electrode to the antrum of the stomach.   
     
     
         7 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 6  further comprising a flexible member coupled to the electrode anchor and the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 7  further comprising a second flexible member coupled to the attachment device and the housing. 
     
     
         9 . A gastric stimulation device comprising:
 a housing;   electronic circuitry contained within the housing at least one stimulating electrode configured to be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry, and configured to be positioned so that it is in electrical contact with the stomach tissue;   an attachment device coupled to the housing and operative to couple the housing within a stomach cavity to the stomach;   an electrode anchor operative to couple the at least one stimulating electrode to the stomach; and   a flexible member coupling the housing to the attachment device.   
     
     
         10 . A gastric stimulation device comprising: a housing;
 electronic circuitry contained within the housing at least one stimulating electrode configured to be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry, and configured to be positioned so that it is in electrical contact with the stomach tissue;   an attachment device coupled to the housing and operative to couple the housing within a stomach cavity to the stomach; an electrode anchor operative to couple the at least one stimulating electrode to the stomach; and   a flexible member coupling the housing to the electrode anchor.   
     
     
         11 . A gastric stimulation device comprising:
 a housing;   electronic circuitry contained within the housing an attachment device coupled to the housing and operative to couple the housing within a stomach cavity to the stomach;   a lead comprising an elongate portion having a first portion including an anchor;   a second portion; and   at least one stimulating electrode located on the elongate portion between the first portion and the second portion and configured to be electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry;   wherein the wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend from within the stomach, through the stomach wall and back into the stomach so that the at least one electrode is in electrical contact with the tissue within the stomach wall.   
     
     
         12 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 11  wherein the at least one stimulating electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes wherein the elongate member is configured to extend through the stomach wall so that the plurality of electrodes are in electrical contact with the tissue within the stomach wall. 
     
     
         13 . The gastric stimulation device of  claim 11  wherein the anchor is configured to engage the inside of the stomach wall.