Patent ID: 6243607
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A device for electrical stimulation of smooth muscle comprising a portion of the gastro-intestinal tract, wherein the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the device comprising:(a) a proximal electrode set for arrangement circumferentially about the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the smooth muscle may be stimulated thereby to produce a local circumferential contraction of the smooth muscle at the location of the proximal electrode set, wherein the proximal electrode set is comprised of at least one active electrode and at least one ground electrode;(b) at least one distal electrode set for arrangement 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 the proximal electrode set such that the smooth muscle may be stimulated thereby to produce a local circumferential contraction of the smooth muscle at the location of the distal electrode set, wherein each distal electrode set is comprised of at least one active electrode and at least one ground electrode;(c) at least one power source for providing an electrical stimulus to the proximal and distal electrode sets sufficient to stimulate the smooth muscle to produce the local circumferential contractions;(d) a timing mechanism, associated with the power source, for phase locking the electrical stimulus such that the electrical stimulus is applied to the proximal and distal electrode sets successively and repetitively;wherein the axially spaced relationship between the electrode sets and the timing of the electrical stimulus applied to the electrode sets are selected such that the local circumferential contractions are artificially propagated distally through the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract.