Methods and devices for the surgical creation of satiety and biofeedback pathways

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and systems which to sense parameters related to the mechanical forces imposed on devices implanted in the stomach. The parameters of the system are further translated into patient feedback systems to create satiety inducing pathways in the stomach.

1 . A device to treat obesity comprising:
 a restrictive balloon adapted to circumscribe the stomach and which defines a restrictive volume of the stomach; and   an integral sensor located with the balloon wherein the sensor is responsive to changes in the restrictive volume of the stomach.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the restrictive balloon is attached to the abdominal wall. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the restrictive balloon is attached to the abdominal wall by an anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transmitter configured to transmit information from said integral sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a system efferent pathway with a first end and a second end;
 wherein the first end of said system efferent pathway is attached to said device to treat obesity and the second end of said system efferent pathway is configured to be attached to a patient afferent pathway. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said patient afferent pathway is a visceral nervous pathway. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said patient afferent pathway is a vagal nerve pathway. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said patient afferent pathway is a layer of the stomach. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said patient afferent pathway is a cutaneous nervous pathway. 
     
     
         10 . A method of inducing satiety in a patient comprising:
 implanting a restrictive balloon to circumscribe the stomach of a patient wherein the restrictive balloon defines a restricting volume and wherein the restrictive balloon further comprises an integral sensor to detect changes in the restricting volume;   detecting changes in a restricted volume defined by the restrictive balloon; and   transmitting the detected changes of the restricted volume to a device efferent pathway and thence to a patient afferent pathway for stimulation, wherein the stimulation induces satiety in the patient.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the restrictive balloon is attached to the abdominal wall. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the restrictive balloon is attached to the abdominal wall by an anchor.