Method and apparatus to treat disorders of gastrointestinal peristalsis

摘要

Many patients suffer from diseases and surgical damage that result in failure of the stomach and intestinal tract to contract and relax normally in order to transfer contents distally. Electrical stimulation applied to one or more sites on the surface of the gastrointestinal viscera can treat this problem by triggering or altering muscle contractility. The present invention provides such stimulation by implanting leadless microstimulators in or on the walls of the viscera that can be programmed or controlled from a source outside the body.