Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating an individual having irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects. Further provided is a method of inhibiting the onset of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to the individual a prophylactically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects.

Abstract: Botulinum toxin is increasingly being injected into visceral smooth muscle for a variety of indications. The present invention discloses intragastric administration of botulinum toxin to delay gastric emptying with the aim of inducing satiety and promoting weight-loss. The present invention also discloses the effects of intragastric administration of Botulinum toxin in reducing post-prandial hyperglycemia in patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of decreasing pain in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compound effective to decrease activation of protease activated receptor-2.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of retarding the development of visceral and somatic hypersensitivities in an individual. Further, the present invention describes a potentially important role for the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in initiation and maintenance of the chronic visceral hypersensitivity and its role in development of irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract: Instruments, systems and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, a mucosal resection device. Systems include a combination of one or more of such instruments with or without injectable agents. Embodiments of various methods for performing the procedures are also provided.

Abstract: Instruments, systems, implants, and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, and a mucosal resection device. A submucosal implant device for diagnosing and treating disorders of the body may be implanted. A passive submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery depot in which a therapeutic agent within the depot elutes from the depot according to a predetermined elution profile. An active submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery device that incorporates a self-contained diagnostic system to determine the appropriate delivery time and dosage of a therapeutic agent to be administered.

Abstract: One of the major disabling symptoms of gastroparesis is nausea and vomiting which can be difficult to control with currently available treatments. It is postulated that signaling of gastrointestinal causes of nausea starts with activation of vagal afferent nerves that trigger the central emetic pathway. Most vagal afferent nerves are unmyelinated C-fibers, many of which express the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 and respond to capsaicin. Resiniferatoxin is a very potent capsaicin analogue that has a much more favorable ratio of desensitization to excitation than capsaicin leading to more effective desensitization without irritation. The present invention demonstrates that desensitization of TRPV1 responsive gastric sensory neurons would attenuate nausea and vomiting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that diabetic rats showed a reduction in nitrergic relaxation of the gastric, impaired nNOS dimerization, decreased BH4 and GTPCH1 levels and thus, are more susceptible to develop diabetic gastroparesis. The use of tetrahydrobiopterin and its derivatives and sex steroid hormones as disclosed herein provides a novel strategy for therapeutic intervention of diabetic gastroparesis and any other gut-related diseases. Additionally, the present invention also discloses methods to determine risk of developing gastroparesis in an individual that are drawn to detecting variations in the activity and levels of GCH gene and in gene encoding sex steroid hormone receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and methods of lie detection utilizing electrogastrography to monitor changes in the gastric electric rhythm of a subject. Also provided are methods of discriminating between the stress of deception induced in a subject during a lie detection examination and the stress of the examination itself.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering energy to a tissue. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component. At a minimum, the inflatable member is constructed of a flexible inner wall and a flexible outer wall, which, taken together, enclose a cavity therebetween. The inflatable member is expanded such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue's surface. Cooling fluid is disposed in the cavity, and energy is delivered to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating a disorder, typically a gastrointestinal disorder, that includes implanting stem cells and/or progeny thereof into a gastrointestinal organ of a subject. Also, a method of producing enhanced levels of insulin that includes implanting stem cells and/or progeny thereof into the pancreas of a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering energy to a tissue. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component. At a minimum, the inflatable member is constructed of a flexible inner wall and a flexible outer wall, which, taken together, enclose a cavity therebetween. The inflatable member is expanded such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue's surface. Cooling fluid is disposed in the cavity, and energy is delivered to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating a disorder, typically a gastrointestinal disorder, that includes implanting stem cells and/or progeny thereof into a gastrointestinal organ of a subject. Also, a method of producing enhanced levels of insulin that includes implanting stem cells and/or progeny thereof into the pancreas of a subject.

Abstract: Direct injection of sphincteric botulinum toxin is disclosed as an effective, safe and simple method of treatment for disorders of gastrointestinal muscle or smooth muscles elsewhere in the body, with results that appear to be sustained for several months. Muscle disorders which are suitable for such treatment include achalasia, isolated disorders of the lower esophageal sphincter, gastroparesis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, short-segment Hirschsprung's, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, proctalgia fugax, irritable bowel syndrome, disorders of the upper esophageal sphincter, vasospastic disorders, and disorders of uterine and bladder spasm. Devices suitable for delivering this therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent, for example for maintaining the patency of a duct such as a biliary duct, is provided that includes a plurality of radially extending wings. The wings project from a core which has a guide wire or wire stylet lumen. Each of the wings preferably includes a plurality of minute, longitudinally extending grooves for bile flow even in the event of tumor ingrowth. Advantageously the core itself is preformed into a helical configuration.