Feedback Systems and Methods for Communicating Diagnostic and/or Treatment Signals to Enhance Obesity Treatments

Abstract

Feedback systems and methods communicate implanted sensor-based feedback signals to promote behavior modifications that ameliorate obesity and other eating disorders. The system and methods described may also be applicable to any treatment in which presenting feedback regarding patients' eating and exercise habits is desired. The present invention provides a method and system for treating a patient by collecting ingestion and exercise information about the patient from an implanted sensor and communicating the collected information to the patient, his or her physician and/or other health care providers. In some embodiments, stimulation of the patient's stomach is also provided to reduce caloric intake. In some embodiments, the collected data is transmitted to a central server. Further embodiments may provide access to additional information in conjunction with the collected patient information, such as a calorie database, an exercise planner, and so forth, with the data optionally being used within a social networking system.

1 . A system for treating an eating disorder of a patient, the patient having at least one implanted sensor generating sensor signals in response to an eating-related event and/or an exercise activity of the patient at a location, the system comprising:
 a server coupleable to the sensor(s) and a patient device, the server configured to transmit message data to a device associated with a member of a patient support group, the message data being generated in response to the patient sensor(s) signals, the message data inducing the device associated with the member of the patient support group to present a new message to the member of the patient support group to encourage the patient to eat healthy and/or exercise.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a device associated with the patient, wherein the patient device prompts the patient, in response to the sensor(s) signals, to enter eating-related and/or exercise information into the patient device such that the information is uploaded to the server. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a positive reinforcement message so as to promote the member of the patient group to encourage a continuation of behavior by the patient, and wherein the server is configured to transmit the message data in response to and within two days of:
 the eating-related events sensed by the sensor being within a patient ingestion-related goal;   the exercise activity sensed by the sensor meeting a patient exercise goal; and/or   a quantitative measurement of the patient indicating the patient has reached a weight-related goal, the weight related goal comprising a change in weight of the patient, a change in a size measurement of the patient, or a change in exercise performance of the patient.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the message comprises a negative reinforcement message so as to promote the at least one member of the patient group to discourage behavior by the patient, and wherein the server is configured to transmit the message data in response to and within two days of:
 eating-related events sensed by the sensor exceeding a patient ingestion-related goal; and/or   exercise activity sensed by the sensor being below a patient exercise goal.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a device associated with the patient, wherein the server is configured to transmit to the patient device message data inducing the patient device to present another message regarding another member of the patient group, the message data generated using sensor signals from sensor data from a sensor of another device implanted in the other member of the patient group, the patient group comprising a support group of patients having implanted sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprises information about ingestion and identifies the ingestion-related events of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprises information about exercise and identifies the exercise activities of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising generating an ingestion-related goal and/or an exercise goal in response to input from the patient, comparing the goal to the ingestion-related information and/or the exercise information to generate comparison data, and transmitting the comparison information from the server to a device associated with a member of the group so as to encourage the member to urge increased alignment between the behavior of the patient and the goal. 
     
     
         9 . A system for treating an eating disorder of a patient, the patient having a body and at least one sensor implanted in the body, the sensor configured to generate signals in response to an eating-related event and/or an exercise activity of the patient at a location, the system comprising:
 a server coupleable to the sensor(s) and a global positioning system (GPS) device, the GPS device configured identifying the location and/or track movements of the patient to increase specificity of feedback provided from a patient support group to the patient.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the location and/or tracking movements provide detailed analysis of the level of the exercise activity, including derivations of speed, distance and grade information from the GPS signals 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the grade information is determined using elevation information from the internet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the feedback encourages healthy dining choices near the patient's location. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the feedback encourages exercise activities near the patient's location. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising the use of credit card payment information to identify the patient's presence in a food store or restaurant together with the location information to provide detailed feedback to the pateint. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the GPS device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the GPS device is implanted within the body of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the feedback comprises a positive reinforcement message so as to promote the support group to encourage a continuation of behavior by the patient, and wherein a server is configured to transmit message data in response to and within two days of:
 the eating-related events sensed by the sensor being within a patient ingestion-related goal;   the exercise activity sensed by the sensor meeting a patient exercise goal; and/or   a quantitative measurement of the patient indicating the patient has reached a weight-related goal, the weight related goal comprising a change in weight of the patient, a change in a size measurement of the patient, or a change in exercise performance of the patient.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the server is configured to transmit the message data in near-real-time (NRT). 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the server is configured to transmit the message data at the time the location is identified minus the time required to sense the signals. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a global positioning system (GPS) device is configured to identify the location of the patient and track movements of the patient to increase specificity of feedback provided from the patient support group to the patient at the location. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the patient support group is a healthcare practitioner, at least one other patient, or a peer group. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the message to the member of the patient support group discourages the patient to eat unhealthy and/or not exercise 
     
     
         23 - 67 . (canceled)