GASTROINTESTINAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATOR HAVING A VARIABLE ELECTRICAL STIMULUS

摘要

A device and method for electrical stimulation of a portion of the gastro- intestinal tract, defining a longitudinal axis. A proximal and at least one distal electrode set are arranged circumferentially about the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in axially spaced relationship relative to each other. At least one power source provides a variable electrical stimulus to the electrode sets sufficient to stimulate the smooth muscle to produce a local circumferential contraction at each electrode set, wherein the electrical stimulus is variable between each of the proximal and distal electrode sets. A timing mechanism phase locks the electrical stimulus such that it is applied to the electrode sets successively, preferably in an overlapping manner, and repetitively. The axially spaced relationship between the electrode sets and the timing of the electrical stimulus are selected such that the local circumferential contractions are artificially propagated distally through the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract.