Patent ID: 8521249
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the volume of a pouch formed in a stomach by bariatric surgery between the lower oesophageal sphincter and a stoma formed in the stomach spaced apart from the lower oesophageal sphincter, the method comprising: providing an elongated catheter which extends between a proximal end and a distal end and which comprises an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof with the catheter extending through the balloon so that on inflating of the balloon the balloon defines with the catheter an annular hollow interior region, the balloon being adapted to define the interior of a part of the stomach comprising the pouch on inflating of the balloon therein, providing at least one stimulating electrode on one of the catheter and the balloon within the balloon, providing a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sensing electrodes on one of the catheter and the balloon within the balloon longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one stimulating electrode, inserting orally or nasally the distal end of the catheter and the balloon into the part of the stomach comprising the pouch, inflating the balloon with an electrically conductive inflating medium until the balloon defines the interior of the part of the stomach comprising the pouch, applying an electrical stimulus signal to the at least one stimulating electrode, reading signals from the sensing electrodes in response to the stimulus signal, processing the signals read from the sensing electrodes to produce signals indicative of a graphical representation of an approximate external longitudinal profile of the inflated balloon, producing signals indicative of the locations of the respective sensing electrodes relative to the graphical representation of the approximate external longitudinal profile of the inflated balloon, selecting two sensing electrodes at respective axially spaced apart locations along the graphical representation of the approximate external longitudinal profile of the inflated balloon at which the transverse cross-section thereof is of reduced transverse cross-section corresponding respectively to the location of the oesophageal sphincter and the stoma, and computing the volume of the inflated balloon between the two selected axially spaced apart sensing electrodes corresponding to the locations of the lower oesophageal sphincter and the stoma from the signals read from the sensing electrodes.