Patent Publication Number: US-2022218984-A1

Title: Electrical Stimulation Device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments relate to an electrical stimulation device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A functional gastrointestinal disorder among gastrointestinal disorders is a chronic or relapsing disorder developed in approximately 40% of adults. Currently, various attempts including, for example, medication, endoscopic procedures, and surgical operations, are being made to treat the functional gastrointestinal disorder and metabolic obesity. However, such methods may not have significant effects, and may cost patients a lot and invite complications. Accordingly, an electrical gastrointestinal stimulation technology is being developed as a technology for treating a functional gastrointestinal disorder or disease. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0023966 discloses “Devices for Gastrointestinal Stimulation and Uses Thereof.” 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Goals 
     An aspect provides an electrical stimulation device that is used along with an endoscope and noninvasively applies electrical stimulation to a desired portion on a surface of a target. 
     Technical Solutions 
     According to an example embodiment, there is provided an electrical stimulation device including an elongated element having a working channel, a plurality of electrical stimulators including respective longitudinal members each extending in a longitudinal direction of the working channel and respective tips each provided at a distal end of the longitudinal members and configured to apply electrical stimulation to a target, and a controller configured to independently control the electrical stimulators to vary a range of electrical simulation to be applied to the target. 
     The controller may independently control a deployment or a withdrawal of the longitudinal members in the longitudinal direction of the working channel such that a space between the tips is adjusted. 
     The controller may control the longitudinal members to have a first configuration in which all of at least a portion of the longitudinal members withdraw into the working channel to contract and have a second configuration in which all of at least a portion of the longitudinal members deploy outside the working channel to expand. 
     The controller may control the longitudinal members to deploy in the longitudinal direction of the working channel until all the tips come into contact with a surface of the target. 
     The controller may apply different potentials to at least two of the tips. 
     The controller may control a movement of the elongated element along an inner cavity of the target, and control the longitudinal members such that the tips are not exposed to the inner cavity of the target from the working channel during the movement of the elongated element along the inner cavity of the target. 
     The elongated element may include an opening through which the longitudinal members pass, and a closely attached portion configured to surround the opening and configured to be closely attached to the surface of the target. 
     When the closely attached portion is closely attached to the surface of the target, the controller may suck air into the working channel through the opening. 
     EFFECTS 
     According to example embodiments described herein, an electrical stimulation device may be used together with an endoscope and noninvasively apply electrical stimulation to a desired portion on a surface of a target. 
     The effects of the electrical stimulation device are not limited to what has been described above, and other additional aspects of example embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic structure of an electrical stimulation device according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an end structure of an elongated element of an electrical stimulation device according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a movement of an elongated element of an electrical stimulation device along a gastrointestinal tract according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a first configuration of a plurality of electrical stimulators of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second configuration of an electrical stimulation device of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a second configuration of a plurality of electrical stimulators of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, some example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various alterations and modifications may be made to the example embodiments. The example embodiments are not construed as limited to the disclosure and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and the technical scope of the disclosure. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not to be limiting of the examples. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises/comprising” and/or “includes/including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order, or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). 
     It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” to another component, a third component may be “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” between the first and second components, although the first component may be directly connected, coupled or joined to the second component. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those generally understood consistent with and after an understanding of the present disclosure. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be construed to have meanings matching with contextual meanings in the relevant art and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless otherwise defined herein. 
     Hereinafter, the example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like components and a repeated description related thereto will be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic structure of an electrical stimulation device according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an end structure of an elongated element of an electrical stimulation device according to an example embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an example embodiment, an electrical stimulation device  1  may be noninvasively inserted into an inner cavity of a target to apply electrical stimulation to the target. The target described herein may include a living creature, such as, for example, a human and an animal. The electrical stimulation device  1  may include a catheter  11  and a controller  12  configured to control the catheter  11 . The catheter  11  may be inserted into an oral cavity of the target and move along an esophagus, and an end thereof may then be positioned in a gastrointestinal tract GI of the stomach and intestines G. The catheter  11  may apply electrical stimulation to the surface of the gastrointestinal tract GI. 
     The catheter  11  may include an elongated element  111  and an electrical stimulator  120 . 
     The elongated element  111  may be inserted into the gastrointestinal tract GI while moving along the inner cavity of the target. The elongated element  111  may be provided in a form of a tube. The elongated element  111  may have a material suitable to be bent such that an end portion thereof readily approaches a desired portion. For example, the elongated element  111  may be formed of a silicon material. Also, the elongated element  111  may be formed of a water-resistant material. For example, the elongated element  111  may include titanium. The elongated element  111  may have a length suitable for the end portion thereof to reach the gastrointestinal tract GI from the oral cavity of the target. 
     The elongated element  111  may have a working channel  112 . The working channel  112  may be formed inside the elongated element  111  along a longitudinal direction of the elongated element  111 . Thus, the elongated element  111  may be hollow inside. 
     The elongated element  111  may include an opening  113  and a closely attached portion  114 . 
     The opening  113  may be configured to communicate with the working channel  112 . The opening  113  may allow entry and exit of the electrical stimulator  120  from the inside of the working channel  112  to the outside of the working channel  112  or from the outside of the working channel  112  to the inside of the working channel  112 . The opening  113  may be formed at a distal end of the elongated element  111 . The opening  113  may have a size suitable for the entry and exit of the electrical stimulator  120  to and from the outside or inside of the working channel  112 . The opening  113  may be formed in a circle, but not limited thereto. 
     The opening  113  may include an opening and closing element that selectively allows the entry or exit of the electrical stimulator  120 . For example, the opening and closing element may be provided in a structure of a plate membrane that covers at least a portion of the opening  113 . 
     The closely attached portion  114  may be configured to be closely attached to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The closely attached portion  114  may be formed at an end of the elongated element  111  to surround the opening  113 . When the closely attached portion  114  is attached to the surface of the inner cavity of the target, a suction force of a predetermined pressure may act through the opening  113 , and accordingly, close contact between the closely attached portion  114  and the surface of the inner cavity of the target may be maintained. 
     The electrical stimulator  120  may apply electrical stimulation to a desired portion on the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The electrical stimulator  120  may be disposed in the working channel  112  formed inside the elongated element  111 , and move along the working channel  112 . 
     The electrical stimulator  120  may include a longitudinal member  121  and a tip  122 . 
     The longitudinal member  121  may deploy or withdraw along the working channel  112 . The longitudinal member  121  may deploy or withdraw while passing through the opening  113  formed at the distal end of the working channel  112 . The longitudinal member  121  may extend in a longitudinal direction of the working channel  112 . The longitudinal member  121  may include an electrical lead that transfers electrical stimulation to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The electrical lead may extend along the longitudinal member  121  to be connected to a controller  12  outside a body. 
     The tip  122  may apply electrical stimulation to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The tip  122  may be provided at a distal end of the longitudinal member  121 . The tip  122  may be provided in an elongated form extending from the distal end of the longitudinal member  121 , but not limited thereto. A distal end of the tip  122  may be formed not to bore through the surface of the inner cavity of the target but to effectively transfer electrical stimulation to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The tip  122  may include a conductive material through which electricity flows stably. In addition, the tip  122  may include an acid-resistant material. In such a case, the acid-resistant material may be coated on an outer surface of the tip  122 . 
     The controller  12  may control the catheter  11 . For example, the controller  12  may control a movement of the elongated element  111  along the inner cavity of the target. Alternatively, the elongated element  111  may be controlled by a user&#39;s manipulation. 
     The controller  12  may control a deployment or withdrawal of the longitudinal member  121  along the working channel  112 . When the longitudinal member  121  deploys or withdraws, the controller  12  may determine a degree of exposure of at least a portion of the longitudinal member  121  and the tip  122  to the outside of the working channel  112 . The controller  12  may control the longitudinal member  121  not to deploy until the closely attached portion  114  is attached to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The controller  12  may control the longitudinal member  121  to deploy until the tip  122  comes into contact with the surface of the inner cavity of the target. 
     The controller  12  may determine an orientation of the electrical stimulator  120 . In this case, the controller  12  may determine an orientation of at least a portion of the longitudinal member  121  to allow the portion of the longitudinal member  121  to be bent such that the tip  122  faces toward the surface of the inner cavity of the target. For example, the longitudinal member  121  may be bent to have at least two bent portions. As the orientation of the longitudinal member  121  is controlled as described above, electrical stimulation may be applied to a desired portion on the surface of the inner cavity of the target. 
     The controller  12  may control electrical energy to be applied by the tip  122  to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. The electrical energy may be determined by a voltage, a current, a frequency, an amplitude, a duty cycle, or the like. In addition, the controller  12  may vary the electrical energy to be applied by the tip  122 . 
     The controller  12  may generate a suction force from the outside of the working channel  112  to the inside of the working channel  112  through the opening  113 . For example, when the closely attached portion  114  is attached to the surface of the inner cavity of the target, the controller  12  may allow air to be sucked into the inside of the working channel  113  through the opening  113  to maintain close contact between the closely attached portion  114  and the surface of the inner cavity of the target. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a movement of an elongated element of an electrical stimulation device along a gastrointestinal tract according to an example embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the elongated element  111  may be controlled (by the controller  12  of  FIG. 1 ) to move along the esophagus (indicated by GO) of the target. In this case, the longitudinal member  121  and the tip  122  of the electrical stimulator  120  may be controlled (by the controller  12  of  FIG. 1 ) to be disposed inside the working channel  112  and not to be exposed to the outside of the working channel  112  through the opening  113 . This may prevent the tip  122  from damaging a tissue of the target while the elongated element  111  is reaching a desired portion on the surface of the inner cavity of the target. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first configuration of an electrical stimulation device according to another example embodiment.  FIG. 5  illustrates a first configuration of a plurality of electrical stimulators of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second configuration of an electrical stimulation device of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a second configuration of a plurality of electrical stimulators of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , according to another example embodiment, a catheter  21  of an electrical stimulation device may include a plurality of electrical stimulators  120 , dissimilar to what has been described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . The electrical stimulators  120  may be controlled by a controller (e.g., the controller  12  of  FIG. 1 ) described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     The controller may control the electrical stimulators  120  independently for each of them. The independent controlling of the electrical stimulators  120  may include, for example, controlling deployments or withdrawals of respective longitudinal members  121  of the electrical stimulators  120  along the working channel  112 , controlling degrees of exposure of the respective longitudinal members  121  and respective tips  122  of the electrical stimulators  120 , controlling electrical energy to be applied to the respective tips  122  of the electrical stimulators  120 , and controlling an arrangement, an orientation, and an overall shape of the electrical stimulators  120 . 
     The controller may independently control the deployments or withdrawals of the longitudinal members  121  in a longitudinal direction of the working channel  112  such that mutual spaces between the tips  122  of the electrical stimulators  120  are adjusted. For example, the controller may determine the deployments or withdrawals of the longitudinal members  121  such that a mutual space between one pair among the tips  122  increases and a mutual space between another pair among the tips  122  decreases. Accordingly, an overall shape formed by the tips  122  may vary, and a range S 1  or S 2  in which the tips  122  apply electrical stimulation to a surface GIS of an inner cavity of a target may vary. 
     The controller may control the electrical stimulators  120 , in conjunction with the deployments or withdrawals of the longitudinal members  121 , to form a certain shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the controller may control the longitudinal members  121  such that the electrical stimulators  120  have a first configuration in which all of at least a portion of the longitudinal members  121  withdraw into the working channel  112  to contract. With the first configuration formed by the electrical stimulators  120 , a range of electrical stimulation to be applied to the surface GIS of the inner cavity of the target may be relatively small. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the controller may control the longitudinal members  121  such that the electrical stimulators  120  have a second configuration in which all of at least a portion of the longitudinal members  121  deploy outside the working channel  112  to expand. With the second configuration formed by the electrical stimulators  120 , a range of electrical stimulation to be applied to the surface GIS of the inner cavity of the target may be relatively great. The controller may control the deployments and withdrawals of the longitudinal members  121  in a combined way such that the electrical stimulators  120  have a shape between the first configuration and the second configuration. Accordingly, a range of electrical stimulation to be applied to the surface of the inner cavity of the target may have a value between S 1  and S 2 . 
     The controller may control the longitudinal members  121  to deploy in the longitudinal direction of the working channel  112  until all the tips  122  come into contact with the surface of the inner cavity of the target. This may ensure the application of a desired range of electrical stimulation to the surface of the inner cavity of the target. 
     The controller may independently adjust electrical energy to be applied by the tips  122 . For example, the controller may set different potentials to be applied to at least two of the tips  122 . When the tips  122  apply electrical stimulation to the surface GIS of the inner cavity of the target, a current flow from one of the tips  122  having a first potential to another one of the tips  122  having a second potential different from the first potential may be induced. This may implement various forms of electrical current flows on the surface GIS of the inner cavity of the target. Similarly, the controller may set different duty cycles, frequencies, currents, and the like of electrical signals to be applied to at least two of the tips  122 , thereby implementing various forms of electrical current flows on the surface GIS of the inner cavity of the target to which electrical stimulation is to be applied. 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. 
     Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.