Patent ID: 6026326
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An anticonstipation apparatus for treating constipation in a human patient, comprising:electrode means for delivering sequential electrical stimulation to muscles that are associated with a target portion of the gut of said patient;stimulus generator means for generating said sequential electrical stimulation; andelectrical lead means for conveying said sequential electrical stimulation from said stimulus generator means to said electrode means;wherein said muscles are located sequentially with respect to each other in a proximal to caudad direction and the electrode means are adapted to stimulate same;wherein said sequential electrical stimulation is selected to urge said muscles to sequentially contract, in a proximal to caudad direction, to urge at least a position of the contents of said target portion to move in a proximal to caudad direction; andwherein said electrical lead means comprises an electrical lead; wherein said electrical lead comprises an electrode portion having a flexible, flat, ribbon-like configuration; and wherein at least a portion of said electrode means is located on a first face of said electrode portion.