Mountain View, CA based IntraPace has just announced CE mark approval of its abiliti system for treatment of obesity. The abiliti system consists of an electrical stimulator and a sensor that can detect when the patient has eaten. When food is detected in the stomach, the system sends electrical impulses to the stomach, which will cause the patient to feel satiated faster. Unlike existing weight loss treatments such as gastric bypass or gastric banding, the abiliti treatment is completely reversible, and IntraPace claims their treatment will be much less susceptible to side effects than traditional treatments. In addition to reducing appetite, the abiliti system can record a patient’s eating and exercise habits, which can then be wirelessly uploaded to an EMR.
From the press release:
The implantable device looks similar to a pacemaker and is built on the same proven technology used in millions of cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators each year. Following implantation via a simple minimally invasive surgical procedure, the abiliti system detects when a person eats or drinks and sends low level electrical impulses to the stomach. This stimulation is intended to help a person feel full before the stomach is actually full, causing them to eat less. As the anatomy of the stomach is not changed, clinical experience with the abiliti system has shown virtually none of the nausea and other side effects seen with gastric bypass surgery and gastric banding. Patients are not restricted in the types of food that they consume, but are encouraged to adopt a healthy diet and exercise program.
Link: How the abiliti® System Works …
Press release: IntraPace Receives CE Mark Certification for the abiliti® System for the Treatment of Obesity…
Product page: abiliti…