Methods and devices for gastrointestinal stimulation

Abstract

Methods and devices for gastrointestinal stimulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, disclosed is an electrical stimulator device that includes a circuit board and a battery contained within a base housing; a conduction element; and at least one electrode. In some embodiments, the stimulator base housing can be directly attached to a wall of a body lumen. In other embodiments, the stimulator base housing can be attached to a cuff or a sleeve device. In still other embodiments, one or more elements of the system are free-floating within the GI tract. The devices can be delivered endoscopically, and in some embodiments toposcopically.

1 . A gastrointestinal stimulation system, comprising:
 a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve configured to be implanted in a patient and having a length to extend distally from the gastroesophageal junction, through the stomach, and into the intestine; and   an electrical stimulator component comprising at least one electrode, the electrode configured to stimulate the stomach or the intestine, wherein the electrode is operably attached to the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve at a location spaced apart from the pylorus when the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve is implanted in the patient   
     
     
         2 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gastrointestinal attachment cuff having a tubular body, a proximal end and a distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulator component further comprises a conductive element. 
     
     
         4 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 3 , wherein the conductive element is a ribbon. 
     
     
         5 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 4 , wherein the ribbon has one of a U-shaped or S-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulator is triggered by a sensor configured to detect one of the group selected from: pressure, temperature, pH, motion, and strain. 
     
     
         7 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 3 , wherein the conductive element is a lead wire. 
     
     
         8 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one biasing element operably connected to the electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing element is configured to increase one of the contact surface area or the contact surface time between the electrode and a lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         10 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve is at least partially inverted within itself, and adapted for eversion within the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         11 . The gastrointestinal stimulation system of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the electrical stimulation component is configured to be attached to a serosal surface of a wall of the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing a gastrointestinal sleeve device having an elongate tubular body, with a proximal end and a distal end;   providing an electrical stimulation component comprising at least one electrode, the electrode being operably attached to the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve;   positioning the gastrointestinal sleeve device in the patient's digestive tract such that the proximal end is in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction, the distal end is in the intestine, and the at least one electrode is spaced apart from the pylorus; and   stimulating the digestive tract via the at least one electrode.   
     
     
         13 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one electrode is attached along an outer surface of the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of attaching the proximal end of the sleeve at the gastroesophageal junction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 14 , wherein the proximal end of the sleeve is attached to the gastroesophageal junction via an attachment cuff. 
     
     
         16 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 12 , wherein stimulating the digestive tract comprises stimulating the intestine. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing a gastrointestinal sleeve device having an elongate tubular body, with a proximal end and a distal end;   providing an electrical stimulation component comprising at least one electrode, the electrode being operably attached to the gastrointestinal bypass sleeve;   positioning the gastrointestinal sleeve device in the patient's digestive tract such that the proximal end is at the gastroesophageal junction, the distal end is in the intestine, and the at least one electrode is in the stomach, spaced apart from the pylorus; and   stimulating the stomach via the at least one electrode.