Abstract: Disclosed are gastrointestinal dysfunction treatment protocols and kits for the testing, diagnosis, clinical intervention (diet, medications, temporary gastric electrical stimulation, and/or permanent gastric electrical stimulation), clinical feedback and/or associated treatment parameter adjustment for treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions in a patient. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to how neuromodulation via gastric electrical stimulation, performed anywhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, can help modulate inflammation and its resultant effects. Modulating inflammation via neuromodulation and gastric electrical stimulation enables treatment of a plurality of gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for the intestine is disclosed that bypasses an enterocutaneous fistula so that the intestinal tract can properly function without bowel contents leaking onto the skin. The prosthetic device includes means to securely connect and seal it to the intestine, means to push bowel contents through it, and means to prevent the backflow of bowel contents through the digestive tract.

Abstract: New devices and methods for detecting and diagnosing motility abnormalities within the pancreaticobiliary tree are disclosed. In the first device, a modified ERCP catheter with electrical activity sensing is positionable within the biliary tract, and operates to sense electrical activity during the ERCP procedure. Electrical activity is sensed by two circumferential leads formed by bands of silver, located near the distal tip of the catheter. The detection of electrical activity, in combination with the simultaneous radioscopic visualization of the biliary tract, provides a detailed motility profile for the physician without requiring the additional use of a perfusion catheter. A second device is also disclosed which detects motility within the biliary tract by the simultaneous sensing of electrical activity and surrounding fluid pressure. A biliary catheter has two circumferential silver leads and three perfusion lumens whose outlets are alternately spaced between the silver leads.