Method for the treatment of gallstones

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct of a patient, that comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct. The apparatus can be used for actively moving the gallstones in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the biliary duct.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.