A new method
of weight loss and hunger control is about to become
available. It is an implant technology called
Gastric Contractility Modulation (GCM) and works by
attaching electrodes to the top of the stomach where
food comes in, and to the bottom where food lands.
During a meal, when food hits the bottom of the
stomach, the device sends a signal to the brain that
you're stuffed. Apparently, the device monitors the
individuals' food intake by sensing gastric activity
and can automatically adapt to a treatment protocol
set out by the doctor. People with the device eat as
little as a quarter of what they would normally
consume.
So what have early trials
demonstrated? Some pretty promising results. In the
journal Obesity Surgery, 12 subjects lost an average
of 20 pounds in the first 20 weeks and those who
continued the trial for the full year lost 37. Blood
pressure and blood glucose levels have also been
reported to be improved significantly. It is also
noteworthy that some discomfort and pain has been
noted amongst patients.
Also on the
implantable device horizon is a device called
Maestro. This weight loss and hunger control
technology periodically blocks transmission on the
digestion-controlling vagus nerve. Limited study
data suggests it may trigger significant weight
loss. A bigger, yearlong randomized study is
underway which could put the company on track for
U.S. approval in the middle of 2010. If you are
thinking of this device, however, better put off
plans to buy that car or pay for your kid's tuition
as the estimated cost will be around $21 000.
I think this type of technology has the
potential to revolutionize the weight loss industry
as it appears to be a safe, less invasive
alternative to gastric bypass surgery. Time will
tell.
Gastric stimulation is an alternative treatment to
gastric bypass
surgery and
lap band
surgery.
The gastric
stimulation system is a device that induces stomach
contractility and consists of three pairs of bipolar
electrodes connected to an implantable pulse
generator. The device automatically detects food
intake and applies gastric contractility modulation
signals to the stomach to induce early satiety.
A patient
needs only 1 hour per week to recharge the
implantable pulse generator battery using an
external charger and the sensing and stimulation
parameters can be adjusted per subject using an
external programmer
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