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. 1998 Nov;43(5):607–611. doi: 10.1136/gut.43.5.607

Microprocessor controlled movement of liquid gastric content using sequential neural electrical stimulation

M Mintchev 1, C Sanmiguel 1, S Otto 1, K Bowes 1
PMCID: PMC1727304  PMID: 9824339

Abstract

Background—Gastric electrical stimulation has been attempted for several years with little success. 
Aims—To determine whether movement of liquid gastric content could be achieved using microprocessor controlled sequential electrical stimulation. 
Methods—Eight anaesthetised dogs underwent laparotomy and implantation of four sets of bipolar stainless steel wire electrodes. Each set consisted of two to six electrodes (10×0.25 mm, 3 cm apart) implanted circumferentially. The stomach was filled with water and the process of gastric emptying was monitored. Artificial contractions were produced using microprocessor controlled phase locked bipolar four second trains of 50 Hz, 14 V (peak to peak) rectangular voltage. In four of the dogs four force transducers were implanted close to each circumferential electrode set. In one gastroparetic patient the effect of direct electrical stimulation was determined at laparotomy. 
Results—Using the above stimulating parameters circumferential gastric contractions were produced which were artificially propagated distally by phase locking the stimulating voltage. Averaged stimulated gastric emptying times were significantly shorter than spontaneus emptying times (t1/2 6.7 (3.0) versus 25.3 (12.9) minutes, p<0.01). Gastric electrical stimulation of the gastroparetic patient at operation produced circumferential contractions. 
Conclusions—Microprocessor controlled electrical stimulation produced artificial peristalsis and notably accelerated the movement of liquid gastric content. 



Keywords: gastric electrical stimulation; gastric motility

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Schematic drawing of a canine stomach with four sets of circumferentially implanted electrodes. The active electrodes and the ground electrodes in each circumferential set were separately short circuited. The stomach was filled with 600-800 ml water through an intragastric tube introduced in the fundus. After initiating the sequential stimulation, movement of liquid content was monitored through an intraduodenal tube and was quantified using a scaled container. 


Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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Time characteristics of the stimuli applied to the different circumferential electrode sets starting with the most proximal set. 


Figure 3 .

Figure 3

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Gastric contractions without stimulation (A) and with stimulation (B) registered with force transducers (FT1-FT4). The amplitudes of the recordings were measured in relative units (r.u.). 


Figure 4 .

Figure 4

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Spontaneous and stimulated gastric emptying of 200 ml water in the canine model. A substantial increment in gastric emptying during stimulation was noted. 


Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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