Autonomous Stimulus Control Prosthetic

Abstract

This operative technique allows for an alternative treatment for patients with diagnoses of hernias or other symptoms in various regions within the body. The proposed approach has the benefit of providing the surgeon faced with the lack of long-term treatment solutions for conditions and symptoms including neuromuscular disorders. The proposed prosthetic device and method presents surgeons with a multi-functional device for stimulus control, operative procedure and surgical technique to achieve results to relieve a variety of patient symptoms. This system provides an accurate robotic surgical technique allowing a minimally invasive procedure.

Claims

1) A prosthetic comprising at least two biocompatible surfaces and a space between said surfaces.

2) The apparatus of claim 1, further containing at least one connector extending from the side of said prosthetic.

3) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one connector having internal conductive elements to transfer electrical impulses.

4) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an energy source and micro-computer thereby autonomously regulating electrical stimulus.

5) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising connecting an internal prosthetic cavity to at least one connector element containing an internal porous core for hormone delivery.

6) A surgical method combining inserting a prosthetic with defined space and attaching said prosthetic robotically.

7) The method of claim 6, further comprising attaching connectors to surfaces robotically, where said connectors transfer energy impulses through an internal conductive element.

8) The method of claim 6, further comprising attaching ends of connectors to surfaces robotically with suture material, where said connectors transfer energy impulses through an internal conductive element.

Description

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Prosthetic with extending flexible connectors.

DRAWINGS REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0013] 1 prosthetic surface 3 self-healing injection orifice

[0014] 2 connectors

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Multi-Cavity Formable Bioprosthetic

[0015] This bioproshetic may be standard size, configured with nanocomposites and have customized seamless design for specific patient needs. Each prosthetic has a number of variable or fixed length flexible and elastic connectors (2). Each connector end may have variable cross-section along its' length such as oval for band-like extensions. The connector and ends which connect to the chosen tissue may use conventional sutures, stem cells, semi-absorbable grafts, resorbable materials or utilize bio-nanotechnology connections comprised of any of the latest methods to connect tissues with prosthetics. The typical configuration is represented by the Perspective shown in FIG. 1, showing a Sample Prosthetic Shape with Connectors. The application of the bioprosthetic allows for a thickness to be established in the region were desired and may contain preformed shapes. These spaces are both shape and volume changing. The principle of utilizing prosthetics having a flexible and elastic external shell is two-fold. First, is the need for the prosthetic volume to compress. Secondly, the permanent prosthetic positioning demands prosthetic shell to contain flexible twisting characteristics similar to the actions of the human or animal torso. Each prosthetic may be rolled, twisted or folded and put into a sheath.

[0016] Each prosthetic surface (1) may be impermeable or permeable thickness, woven and have layers comprised of synthetic polymers, PDMS, platinum, natural biomaterials or biocompatible materials. Each surface may contain an internal insulating layer to establish a membrane potential. The prosthetic device may have internal diaphragms forming a space and cavities which may be filled with collagen or other appropriate material or fluid for the beneficial purpose of conducting electrical impulses and controlled with a micro-circuit and processor. Each of these prosthetic surfaces may also be used as a smaller membrane size as needed with or without internal cavities for impulse control including neuromuscular disorders. This method to autonomously regulate stimulus and secretions optimizes treatment efficacy.

[0017] For those prosthetic surfaces which require capability to control electrical impulses to and from the adjacent plasma-membrane, the membrane potential may be activated by electrical excitation by containing an intracellular conductive ion fluid control system. Layers may be biocompatible materials, utilize nanotechnology, polymers or nanocrystals having switch controlled surface conductivity characteristics across and along each side of the prosthetic layer. Multiple membrane layers may be used to achieve the desired ion flow, collection and to conduct electrical charge in the milli-volt range across membrane surfaces. Membrane edges may be connected in any way known to the art. These membranes may also form prosthetic connector ends of various sizes required to establish a pseudo-synaptic cleft and thus the needed nervous system control to transmit desired stimulus to achieve treatment of symptoms. Each of the membrane's resting potential is designed to be balanced. Histology has been established for the individual membranes and cells being connected to. Conductance may be reversible through the known extracellular spaces, openings, electrochemical channels, gates or the membrane. These surfaces may be used as smaller membranes, suitable attached at the distal ends of connectors and further connected to the affected organ requiring stimulus control through robotic surgical techniques. The prosthetic may be fabricated to fit contours to shape desired surfaces of internal spaces which are unique to each surgical procedure. An additional prosthetic mesh layer(s) or other prosthetic cross-section may extend from the edge of the prosthetic edge, be attached or be as one in an integrally fabricated structure using suitable manufacturing methods and techniques.

[0018] This prosthetic structure may additionally act as a module for housing of collecting electrical impulse energies with the use of capacitors and have circuits containing transducers, microchips and relays for release of said energy according to body orientation. Prosthetic structure walls may be comprised of conductive materials as a matrix to collect adjacent sensory electrical impulses and internally store energy potential into capacitors. To achieve sensory control, electrical impulses may be collected and controlled for any viscera timing objectives.

[0019] Timing control for the nighttime function of sleeping and daytime functions of both emptying bladder and moving bowels may be modulated. A ground may be utilized internally and the electrical energy stored in capacitors that may then be released in a controlled method through connectors and possibly into heat internally via a heat transfer method device to then stimulate organ functions. Contact points may be used as a network with polarity control by any manner known in the art including extending and attaching said connector ends to the natural sensory positions of desired organs. Wake and rest periods are optimized with stimulus control.

[0020] Highly precise bio-nanotechnology prosthetics with suture methods may be robotically implanted and attached allowing for connecting various devices. This is highly advantageous for each connector the prosthetic has to attach to an organ or to establish a fixed position within the abdominal or other region. Each connector may have a cross-section containing at least a central core for transmission with at least one internal conductive sensory impulse element. From the internal micro-circuits, connectors may extend to transmit electrical impulse delivery or collection to points or through graded potential membrane surfaces using an interconnected layered conductor series. This action potential across membranes allows for polarization control with voltage energy to affect ion flow transfer. Internal conductive elements may be a fluid to transmit charges through connectors and across membranes. Energy may be recharged and stored in an internal battery or be released externally with a controlled pulse with known resistance and timing sequence such as a Transcutaneous Energy Transfer (TET) device. Use of a grounding pad may also be used. Stored electrical energy may then be control released with microcircuits programmed for daily cycles of electrochemical collection and or release. Control may be established as well with horizontal and vertical orientation detection such as a micro-gyro or other suitable device. These electrical energy releases, diffusion and electrical gradient functions may be programmed externally by any wireless remote control method available in the art to modify and control function timing and release characteristics. This programming allows for the prosthetic device to automatically assist in daily organ and or muscular functions.

[0021] As another embodiment this prosthetic device may additionally house and control chemical absorption therapies to regulate the release for hormone therapy as a dosing mechanism or any other deficiency or surplus level where dosing with biochemical reaction agents are needed. This includes the use of permeable wall materials. Internal cavities may form a compartment for different functions including but not limited to dosing regulation and sensory assisting modules with connector networks. Each cavity may have a time release function internal to the prosthetic to provide needed ion transfer capability throughout the desired prosthetic surface utilizing microchannels, layers or other available methods known in the art. In this way the prosthetic allows for several applications to function in one prosthetic. Modern nanotechnology fabrication methods may be used to make customized prosthetic shapes including internal circuitry, microchips, solenoids, pumps, magnets, the attachment of connectors and ends with internal conductive elements. This shall provide one or multiple solutions for homeostasis of chronic problems involving any of the organ functions in the abdominal area or other area for improved daily living such as for metabolism regulation and hormone secretions.

[0022] In another embodiment, each cavity in the prosthetic may contain a specific volume of hormone or other fluid. The prosthetic may be positioned adjacent to the organ in need of supplemental control or stimulus added. The cavity volume may be activated for release by a micro-pump through the use of a computer. Internal diaphragms may compensate for volume contraction and expansion within the prosthetic cavities. For circumstances where the connector must deliver the stimulus or secretion, the connector element may have a central porous core to deliver required dosages along the connect length or to an end. Any method known in the art may be used as a gate or valve or switch to control either fluid or stimulus flow. One such method proposed is for use of proportionately sized in the prosthetic exterior wall or internal cavity wall having an internal passage size with passage gate which may be sensor activated which is sized to allow for precise flow based on the fluid's viscosity.

[0023] In another embodiment, prosthetics may be structures shaped and stiffened with biocompatible materials to form the needed dimensions for internal placement and to be externally attached and interconnected for articulating and extending modular robotic functions such as limbs, hands or devices for sensory collection and delivery processes and movements.

[0024] This operative technique proposes combining new and conventional Laparoscopic entry methods, insufflation and new biologic prosthetic design possibly comprising a module with microchips in order to achieve successful treatment. It is important to distinguish the point of the bioprosthetic to be inserted is not a conventional mesh as used and available in current hernia surgery procedures. These space prosthetic devices may be inserted via trocar anywhere for the benefit to implant internal electronic devices which may control organ and muscular actions. The details of Laparoscopic Operative Procedures vary for the position and size of prosthetic needed.

[0025] As a primary feature of design to the biologic prosthetic, the in-situ insertion includes the capability to expand in the peritoneum during insufflation through a removal from sheath process. As the surgeon has control of the prosthetic from both ends of the sheath, the position is held in place with the forceps and removed. Open repair surgery methods may be used as well. The connectors may be predesigned and arranged for use with resorbable or semi-absorbable ends and are then attached as planned for the final location of the biologic prosthetic. Cavities may be refilled by an injection orifice (3) on the prosthetic surface or into a connector end.

[0026] Post-operative treatment is required to establish both physiological normalization and psychological conditioning from the surgery's secondary effects such as closing issues of entry sites, surgical site infections (SSI), re-establishing activity, sleep restriction and a nutrition plan in order to develop new stability of the lower abdominal gastro-intestinal function. Patients must maintain daily and nightly eating and sleeping schedules to retrain the local internal gastro-intestinal organs which are adjusting to new orientations. The post-operative affect shall vary depending on the prosthetic options used and the severity of the existing conditions and for an adjustment period of adjacent viscera functioning in displaced positions. The most common adverse events for all surgical repair of hernias are pain, infection, hernia recurrence, scar-like tissue that sticks tissues together (adhesion), blockage of the large or small intestine (obstruction), bleeding, abnormal connection between organs, vessels, or intestines (fistula), fluid build-up, seroma at the surgical site and holes in adjacent tissues or organs (perforation).

[0027] The proposed prosthetic device and system provide surgeons a multi-functional device and operative procedure to achieve results and relieve a variety of patient symptoms. Multiple sensor elements within each connector and between more than one prosthetic device may be utilized for interconnection of devices to establish an internal feedback system to calibrate timing and allow for mnemonic data to be computed used for improved autonomous synergistic effects.

[0028] All embodiments, features and methods may be combined in any way to establish the desired device. This application description describes an apparatus, device and methods to control stimulus and perform surgical methods. Specific embodiments of this invention allow for numerous combinations for numerous additional advantages. Modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. This invention and its broader aspects are not limited to a specific detail and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.