System and method for affecting intestinal microbial flora

Abstract

Described is a system for affecting intestinal microbial flora. The system includes an intestinal sleeve that is implanted in a patient and bypasses a section of the intestine; and probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy used in combination with the intestinal sleeve. Also described are related methods.

1 . A system for affecting intestinal microbial flora comprising:
 an intestinal sleeve that is implanted in a patient and bypasses a section of the intestine; and   probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy used in combination with the intestinal sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring element, wherein the sleeve is anchored at a pyloric junction of a patient joining the stomach and the intestine by the anchoring element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring element comprises two flanges, with one flange on an intestinal side and one flange on a stomach side. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring element is made from Nitinol. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring element further comprises a covering comprising a biocompatible polymer or fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is impregnated, coated or otherwise modified to include the probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy. 
     
     
         7 . A method of affecting intestinal microbial flora comprising the steps of:
 implanting an intestinal sleeve in a patient that bypasses a section of the intestine; and   administering probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy to patient.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is attached to an anchoring element that anchors the intestinal sleeve at a pyloric junction of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the anchoring element comprises two flanges, with one flange on an intestinal side and one flange on a stomach side. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the anchoring element further comprises a covering comprising a biocompatible polymer or fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is implanted in the patient for a finite period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy is administered to the patient starting a few days before the sleeve is implanted. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy is administered to the patient when the sleeve is implanted. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of removing the sleeve from the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy is administered to the patient starting a few days prior to removing the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy is administered to the patient starting on the day the sleeve is removed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is implanted endoscopically. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve is removed endoscopically. 
     
     
         19 . A method of affecting intestinal microbial flora in a patient comprising the steps of:
 implanting a sleeve in the patient's intestine that bypasses a section of the intestine; and   removing the sleeve after a period of time and after intestinal microbial flora has been affected.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sleeve is impregnated, coated or otherwise modified to include probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy.