Feedback systems and methods to enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments, optionally using multiple sensors

摘要

Feedback systems and methods enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments by presenting feedback regarding patients' actual eating. An ingestion restricting implant body can be deployed along the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, ingestion alters the implant body, which, in turn, generates signals. The generated signals can be used to inhibit unhealthy ingestion by the patient. In other embodiments, the implant body can be altered by signals so as to selectable change the restriction imposed on the gastrointestinal tract, optionally in response to ingestion events, an eating schedule, or the like. The implant body may comprise a gastric band. Sensor signals may be processed to identify ingestion and/or characterize ingestion material, and the results may be displayed on a screen for a patient or coach to view.

主权项

1. A therapeutic implant system for treating an overweight patient, the patient having a gastrointestinal tract and an unhealthy ingestion pattern, the therapeutic implant system comprising:
an ingestion restricting implant body deployable along the gastrointestinal tract so as to separate the gastrointestinal tract into a restricted portion of the gastrointestinal tract and a gastric pouch portion of the gastrointestinal tract upstream of the restricted portion, the implant body comprising a gastric band defining a channel therethrough, the gastrointestinal tract extendable through the channel of the implant body, wherein the gastric band comprises a fluid-filled pressure bladder disposed between the channel and a support structure such that changes in a fluid pressure within the fluid pressure bladder correspond with changes in an engagement force between the gastrointestinal tract and the gastric band; a sensor coupleable to the gastric pouch portion of the gastrointestinal pouch so that signals are generated in response to transient changes in the gastric pouch and the signals indicate an ingestion event; a processor coupled to the signal generator and the implant body; a display coupled to the processor, the display showing eating events identified in response to the signals during a plurality of days and configured for communicating feedback to the patient, a peer group member, a health care professional, or a lifestyle coach; an actuator coupled to the processor so as to alter the fluid pressure within the bladder in response to the ingestion event; and at least two electrodes coupled to the processor so as to stimulate tissue of the gastrointestinal tract such that, in response to the signals, the unhealthy ingestion pattern by the patient is inhibited in use sufficiently to modify the unhealthy ingestion pattern toward a healthier ingestion pattern.