Methods for implanting electrodes and treating a patient with gastreosophageal reflux disease
The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow and have improved energy storage requirements.
1. A method of implanting electrodes in a patient in order to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:
implanting a first electrode in a stomach of the patient;
implanting a second electrode in the stomach of the patient, wherein the second electrode is positioned parallel to the first electrode;
connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a pulse stimulator configured to supply a stimulation pulse to the first electrode and the second electrode;
programming the pulse stimulator to apply a train of stimulation pulses, wherein the pulse stimulator is not in data communication with an implanted sensor configured to sense a physiological state of the patient; and
operating the first electrode and the second electrode in combination to deliver the stimulation pulses to normalize a function of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the patient post-stimulation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation pulses have a pulse amplitude equal to or less than 15 mAmp.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a distance equal to or less than 1.5 cm.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are each positioned more than 1 mm away from a vagal trunk of the patient.
5. A method of implanting a first electrode and a second electrode in a patient in order to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:
implanting the first electrode in a stomach of the patient;
implanting the second electrode in a stomach of the patient, wherein the second electrode is positioned skew relative to the first electrode,
connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a pulse stimulator configured to supply a stimulation pulse to the first electrode and the second electrode;
programming the pulse stimulator to apply a train of stimulation pulses, wherein the pulse stimulator is not in data communication with an implanted sensor configured to sense a physiological state of the patient; and
operating the first electrode and the second electrode in combination to deliver the stimulation pulses to normalize a function of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the patient post-stimulation.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the stimulation pulses have a pulse amplitude equal to or less than 15 mAmp.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a distance equal to or less than 1.5 cm.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrodes is positioned more than 1 mm away from a vagal trunk of said patient.