Gastrointestinal Stimulators for Specialized Patient Populations
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept adapts implantable and non-invasive stimulators for gastrointestinal therapeutics to address specific needs in niche patient populations, such as those with spinal cord injuries, diabetes, or undergoing chemotherapy.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a system for gastrointestinal therapeutics using implantable and non-invasive stimulators. However, these solutions may not be suitable for patients with unique needs, such as those with spinal cord injuries, diabetes, or undergoing chemotherapy. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the stimulators to cater to these specific patient populations.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises four specialized systems: (1) a miniaturized implant for treating gastrointestinal dysmotility in patients with spinal cord injuries, (2) a disposable miniaturized implant for expediting healing of surgical wounds in the GI tract, (3) a non-invasive transcutaneous stimulator for treating obesity in patients with a history of gastric bypass surgery, and (4) a system for treating nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Each system incorporates sensors and mobile devices to monitor and adjust the stimulation parameters accordingly.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces novel adaptations of the original stimulators to address specific needs in niche patient populations. The inventive step lies in the integration of sensors, mobile devices, and tailored stimulation parameters to cater to these unique populations.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include variations in sensor types, stimulation protocols, and implantable or non-invasive designs. Additionally, the inventive concept could be adapted for use in other niche patient populations, such as those with neurological disorders or undergoing organ transplantation.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of gastrointestinal therapeutics, neurology, and oncology. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions serving niche patient populations.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically gastrointestinal electrical stimulation systems with a focus on neurostimulation techniques for therapeutic interventions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device researcher with expertise in electrical stimulation technologies, neural interface design, and understanding of gastrointestinal neurophysiology, typically holding a PhD or equivalent professional experience in biomedical engineering or related medical device disciplines
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's core stimulation technology by applying known electrical stimulation principles to specific patient populations. The PTD demonstrates standard engineering problem-solving techniques of adapting existing stimulation technologies to address niche medical conditions through minor modifications in electrode configuration, sensor integration, and stimulation parameters.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,783 |
|---|---|
| Title | Implantable and non-invasive stimulators for gastrointestinal therapeutics |
| Assignee(s) | The Regents of the University of California |