Optimization and assessment of a novel gastric electrode anchoring system designed to be implanted by minimally invasive surgery

Adrien Debelle*, Hilde de Rooster, Erika Bianchini, Laurent Lonys, François Huberland, Anne Vanhoestenberghe, Pierre Lambert, Vicente Acuña, Hugo Smets, Fabrizio Giannotta, Alain Delchambre, Charlotte Sandersen, Geraldine Bolen, Sophie Egyptien, Stefan Deleuze, Jacques Devière, Antoine Nonclercq

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A novel electrode anchoring design and its implantation procedure, aiming for a minimally invasive solution for gastric electrical stimulation, are presented. The system comprises an anchor made of a flexible body embedding two needle-shaped electrodes. The electrodes can easily switch from a parallel position – to pierce the stomach – to a diverging position – enabling them to remain firmly anchored into the muscular layer of the stomach. Key device parameters governing anchoring stability were assessed on a traction test bench, and optimal values were derived. The device was then implanted in six dogs by open surgery to assess its anchoring durability in vivo. Computed tomography images showed that the electrodes remained well placed within the dogs’ gastric wall over the entire assessment period (more than one year). Finally, a prototype of a surgical tool for the minimally invasive device placement was manufactured, and the anchoring procedure was tested on a dog cadaver, providing the proof of concept of the minimally invasive implantation procedure. The use of our electrode anchoring system in long-term gastric electrical stimulation is promising in terms of implantation stability (the anchor withstands a force up to 0.81 N), durability (the anchor remains onto the stomach over one year) and minimal invasiveness of the procedure (the diameter of the percutaneous access is smaller than 12 mm). Moreover, the proposed design could have clinical applications in other hollow organs, such as the urinary bladder.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-101
Number of pages9
JournalMedical Engineering and Physics
Volume92
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Electrode anchoring
  • Percutaneous implantation
  • Single incision surgery
  • In-vivo validation
  • Gastric electrical stimulation

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