Apparatus and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior after weight loss surgery

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior.

主权项

1. A method for modifying the eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction apparatus (GRA), comprising steps of:
a) monitoring, using a processor in communication with at least one sensor, at least one physical parameter directly related to food currently passing through said GRA; wherein said food currently passing through said GRA is characterized by said at least one physical parameter; b) analyzing, using said processor, said monitored physical parameter to provide an indication of a current eating behavior pattern; c) analyzing, using said processor, said indication of a current eating behavior pattern; d) modifying said patient's long term eating behavior by using said analysis of said indication of a current eating behavior pattern; wherein said at least one physical parameter is selected from a group consisting of viscosity of a bolus of said food, density of a bolus of said food, quantity of a bolus of said food, the time of passage of a bolus of said food, interval between a pair of boluses of said food, duration of a meal, and pressure applied onto said GRA by said bolus of said food; and further wherein said step of monitoring includes monitoring of flow of said food currently passing through said GRA based on at least one model selected from a group consisting of modified orifice plate flow meter model, modified Navier-Stokes equation, Bernouilli equation and any combination thereof, wherein said at least one physical parameter comprises pressure.