Method and apparatus for control of bowel function
AssigneeAlfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California
InventorGerald E. Loeb
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Abstract
Spinal cord injury and other injuries and diseases of the nervous system often result in the inability to sense the need to empty the rectum or to control the timing of bowel movements. This invention includes microminiature electronic devices implanted on or around the large bowel to sense the volume and nature of rectal contents and to stimulate peristaltic contractions to empty the large bowel when it is convenient for the patient to do so.
Claims68
A system for controlling bowel function, the system comprising:
- a first electronic device adapted to be implanted in the body and to detect distension of the rectum;
- a second electronic device adapted to be implanted in the body and to trigger peristaltic evacuation of the bowel;
- and
- an external electronic device coupled to an inductive coil.
A method for determining the state of material in the rectum by measuring the electrical resistance of the material in the rectum, the method comprising:
- implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;
- and
- emitting a brief electrical current from the first microelectrical device;
- and measuring the strength of the electrical field at the second microelectrical device.
A method for determining the state of material in the rectum by measuring the electrical resistance of the material in the rectum, the method comprising:
- implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls;
- emitting a brief electrical current from the first microelectrical device;
- measuring the strength of the electrical field at the second microelectrical device;
- and
- transmitting the measurement recorded at the second microelectrical device to an external controller which uses information about the distance and electrical coupling of the first and second microelectronic devices to infer the resistance and nature of the material in the rectum.
A method for measuring physical distension of the rectum, the method comprising:
- implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;
- and
- emitting a short burst of RF energy from the first microelectrical device;
- and measuring the strength of the short burst of RF energy at the second microelectrical device.
A method for measuring physical distension of the rectum, the method comprising:
- implanting first and second microelectrical devices in the rectal walls so as to stimulate peristaltic contractions;
- emitting a short burst of RF energy from the first microelectrical device;
- measuring the strength of the short burst of RF energy at the second microelectrical device;
- and
- transmitting the measurement recorded at the second microelectrical device to an external controller which uses information about the distance and electrical coupling of the first and second microelectronic devices to infer the amount and nature of the rectal distention.
A device for use in detecting the state of material in the body by measuring the electrical resistance of the material, comprising:
- a) a first electronic device for generating an electrical current, the first electrical device adapted for implantation in the body;
- b) a second electronic device configured to detect a potential field, the second electrical device adapted for implantation in the body;
- c) an external electronic device in communication with the second electronic device for detecting a signal indicative of the strength of the potential field detected by the second electrical device, the external electronic device using the signal to determine the state of material between the first and second electrical devices.
The device of claim wherein the external electronic device further comprises a controller in communication with the first or second electronic devices, whereby activation of the controller causes the emission of an electrical current from the first or second electronic devices, and wherein the electrical current stimulates peristaltic contractions.
The device of claim 40, wherein the electromagnetic field is a radiofrequency field.
A device for use in detecting tissue distension by measuring mutual electromagnetic coupling, comprising:
- a) a first electronic device for generating an electromagnetic field, the first electrical device adapted for implantation in the body;
- b) a second electronic device configured to detect an electromagnetic field, the second electrical device adapted for implantation in the body;
- and
- c) an external electronic device in communication with the second electronic device for detecting a signal indicative of the strength of the electromagnetic field detected by the second electrical device, the external electronic device using the signal to determine the degree of tissue distention between the first and second electrical devices.
A device for use in the control of gastrointestinal function, comprising:
- a) an external electronic device for generating control signals;
- b) a first electronic device in communication with the external electronic device, including a component for emitting a signal to a second implanted electronic device;
- and
- c) the second electronic device in communication with the external electronic device, including a component for measuring a signal from the first implanted electronic device and communicating measurement information to the external electronic device;
- wherein the first and second implanted electronic devices are separably positionable and adapted for implantation in the proximity of the gastrointestinal system, and
- wherein the external electronic device determines the status of the gastrointestinal tract based on the measurement transmitted from the second electronic device.
A device for use in detecting the volume and resistivity of material in a body cavity comprising:
- a) a first pair of electronic devices adapted for implantation in the body comprising, including a first electronic device for generating an electrical current and a second electronic device configured to detect a potential field,
- b) a second pair of electronic devices adapted for implantation in the body, including a third electronic device for generating an electromagnetic field and a fourth electronic device configured to detect an electromagnetic field,
- c) an electronic device in communication with the second and fourth electronic devices for receiving a signal indicative of the strength of the potential field detected by the second electrical device, and for receiving a signal indicative of the strength of the electromagnetic field detected by the fourth electrical device, the electronic device using information received to infer the distance between the first and second electronic devices and the resistivity of the material.
A device for use in detecting the volume and resistivity of material in a body cavity comprising:
- a) a plurality of electronic devices adapted for implantation in the body comprising at least a first electronic device and a second electronic device;
- b) wherein one of the electronic devices is configured to generate an electrical current and the other electronic device is configured to detect a potential field;
- and
- c) an external electronic device in communication with the plurality of electronic devices receiving signals indicative of the strength of the potential field and electromagnetic field detected, the external electronic device using information received to infer the distance between the plurality of electronic devices and the resistivity of the material.
A device for use in detecting the state of material in the body by measuring the electrical resistance of the material, comprising at least three electronic devices configured for implantation into the body, wherein:
- a) a first electronic device is configured for generating an electrical current;
- b) a second electronic device is configured for generating an electromagnetic field;
- c) a third electronic device configured to detect a potential field and an electromagnetic field;
- and
- d) an external electronic device in communication with the third electronic device for receiving a signal indicative of the strength of the potential field and electromagnetic field detected by the third electrical device, the external electronic device using information received to infer the distance between the electrical devices and the resistivity of the material.
A device for use in detecting the state of material in the body by measuring the electrical resistance of the material, comprising:
- a) an external electronic device for generating control signals;
- b) an inductive coil operably connected to the external electronic device for transmitting control signals;
- c) a first electronic device adapted for implantation in the body including a first capsule having electronic circuitry in operable communication with a first antenna for detecting control signals, and the first capsule in communication with two electrodes for generating an electrical current;
- and
- d) a second electronic device adapted for implantation in the body including a second capsule having electronic circuitry and in communication with two electrodes for detecting the magnitude of the electronic field emitted from the first electronic device, and a second antenna for transmitting signals to the inductive coil;
- wherein the external electronic device computes an electrical resistance of the material between the first and second electronic devices from the signal detected at the second electronic device.
A device for use in detecting the state of material in the body by measuring the electrical resistance of the material, comprising:
- a) an external electronic device for generating control signals;
- b) an inductive coil operably connected to the external electronic device for transmitting control signals;
- c) a first electronic device configured for implantation in the body including a first capsule having electronic circuitry in operable communication with a first antenna for detecting control signals, and the first electronic device emitting an electromagnetic field;
- and
- d) a second electronic device configured for implantation in the body including a second capsule having electronic circuitry and detecting the magnitude of the electromagnetic field emitted from the first implanted electronic device, and a second antenna for transmitting signals to the inductive coil;
- wherein the external electronic device computes the distention of the tissue between the first and second electronic devices from the signal detected at the second electronic device.
A method for use in detecting the state of material in a body cavity by measuring the electrical resistance comprising:
- a) implanting a first and second electronic device, the first and second electronic devices configured for implantation into the body;
- b) emitting electrical current from the first electronic device;
- c) measuring the strength of the potential field at the second electronic device;
- and
- d) transmitting the measurement recorded at the second microelectrical device to an external controller which uses information about the strength of the potential field to infer the state of material in the body cavity.
A method for measuring tissue distension, the method comprising:
- a) separately implanting a first electronic device and a second electronic device at a distance from one another;
- b) emitting an electromagnetic field from a first electronic device;
- c) measuring the strength of the electromagnetic field at a second electronic device;
- and
- d) transmitting a signal corresponding to strength of the electromagnetic field at a second electronic device to an external electronic controller, the electronic controller using the signal to infer the magnitude of tissue distention.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.