Patent ID: 8808206

Claim:
A method, comprising: placing an implant device near an exterior surface of a stomach, the implant device configured to produce and communicate a vibration to stomach tissue, the implant device including a case forming at least a portion of an exterior of the implant device and defining an interior of the implant device, a vibration generator mounted on the case and configured to vibrate the at least a portion of the exterior of the implant device, and a tissue engaging structure located on the exterior surface of the case and configured to engage the stomach tissue, the tissue engaging structure comprising a passage extending through a portion of the exterior surface of the case, the passage extending from an opening on a side of the case to another opening on substantially a same side of the case; securing the implant device to the exterior surface of the stomach, including passing a suture through the passage and threading the suture through a wall of the stomach tissue; and activating the vibration generator of the implant device to cause the implant device to vibrate against the exterior surface of the stomach, wherein a vibration of the implant device against the exterior surface of the stomach is configured to stimulate a nerve to suppress an appetite.