Digital moisture meter and method for determining percent weight loss

Abstract

The digital moisture meter includes means for taring an empty sample pan placed on the balance platen. After the balance has been tared, a small sample is placed in the sample pan and a heat lamp energized. At this same time, the initial weight of the sample is stored in memory and after twenty seconds a first calculation is made to determine the percent weight loss, the value of which is also stored in memory. Subsequent percent weight loss values are calculated and if the latest percent weight loss is greater than the one that has been stored in memory, the stored one is then replaced with the latest value. However, if the latest percent weight loss value is less or equal to the stored value, the stored value is retained in memory for comparison with the next percent weight loss value that is calculated. When the percent weight loss value remains constant for a predetermined number of checks, the stored percent weight loss that has remained constant is then considered to be...

Patent number: 4316384
Filing date: Sep 4, 1979
Issue date: Feb 23, 1982
Inventors: Dennis L. Pommer, Paul E. Coleman
Assignee: General Mills, Inc.


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What is claimed is:

1. A digital moisture meter comprising a balance including a platen for receiving a sample thereon and means for providing a digital signal having a value in accordance with the initial weight of the sample on said platen and also successive later digital signals having digital values representative of later reduced weights of said sample, means for heating said sample to remove moisture therefrom, means for reducing the intensity of said heating means after a predetermined time interval, first means for storing said digital signal having a value representative of the initial weight of said sample, second means for storing said later digital signals having a value representative of a subsequent reduced weight, each of said later digital signals being successively stored in said second storing means, calculating means responsive to the value of said digital signal stored in said first storing means and the value of said digital signal stored in said second storing means at a given time for providing a digital signal having a value representative of the percent weight loss for each successively stored later digital signal, third means for storing one of said digital signals having a value representative of percent weight loss, fourth means for storing a later digital signal having a value representative of a later percent weight loss, means for comparing the value of said one digital signal stored in said third storing means with the value of the digital signal stored in said fourth storing means and for substituting the digital signal stored in said fourth storing means for the one stored in said third storing means if greater in value than the one already stored in said third storing means, means for displaying the value of said digital signal stored in said third storing means if the value stored in the fourth storing means is less than or equal to the signal stored in said third storing means, and means for disconnecting said heating means only after a predetermined number of successive digital signals stored in said fourth means have a value less than or equal to the digital signal stored in said third storing means and have thus denoted a stabilized weight loss condition.

2. A digital moisture meter comprising balance means including a platen for receiving a sample therein and means for producing digital signals having values in accordance with the weight of the sample on said platen, means above said platen for heating said sample, first and second registers, means for forwarding a first digital signal having a value representative of the initial weight of said sample to said first register for storage therein and for subsequently forwarding successive digital signals having values representative of later weights of said sample to said register for storage therein, calculating means for receiving the digital signals stored in said first and second registers to provide successive digital signals each of which has a value representative of the percent weight loss of said sample for each of said successive digital signals, third and fourth registers, said fourth register storing said digital signals having values representative of the percent weight loss, and comparing means connected to said third and fourth registers for transferring the latest digital signal stored in said fourth register to said third register when the value of the latest digital signal stored in said fourth register is greater than the digital signal stored in said third register and in which the digital signal stored in said third register is retained in said third register when said digital signal in said fourth register is less than or equal to the digital signal stored in said third register, means for counting the number of times the latest digital signal stored in said fourth register is less than or equal to the digital signal stored in said third register, and means responsive to said last-mentioned means for disabling said heating means after said last-mentioned means has reached a predetermined count and has thus denoted a stabilized weight loss condition.

3. A method of determining the percent moisture loss in a relatively small sample comprising the steps of obtaining a first digital signal having a value representative of the initial weight of said sample, storing said first digital signal, subjecting said sample to a source of heat, obtaining a second digital signal having a value representative of the weight of said sample at a later time, storing said second digital signal, calculating from said first and second digital signals a third digital signal having a value representative of the percent weight loss, storing said third digital signal, obtaining a fourth digital signal having a value representative of the weight of said sample at a still later time, storing said fourth digital signal, calculating from said first and fourth digital signals a fifth digital signal having a value representative of the percent weight loss occurring at said still later time, comparing said third and fifth digital signals to ascertain whether the fifth digital signal has a value greater than that of said third digital signal, or less than or equal to the value of said third digital signal, continuing to subject said sample to said heat source if the value of said fifth digital signal is greater than the value of said third digital signal, and removing said heat source when the value of said fifth digital signal is equal to a predetermined value.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 including the steps of obtaining additional third and fifth digital signals and determining when a predetermined number of fifth digital signals are less than or equal to a third digital signal, said predetermined number of fifth digital signals when less than or equal to a third digital signal denoting a stabilized weight loss condition.

Methods for preventing weight loss, reduction in weight gain, and anorexia

Abstract

Animal feed or human food which contains added conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) can enhance growth and prevent anorexia and weight loss due to immune stimulation (e.g., endotoxin exposure) and the adverse effects of catabolic hormones (i.e., IL-1). Methods of treatment using CLA also are disclosed.

Patent number: 5430066
Filing date: Apr 29, 1992
Issue date: Jul 4, 1995
Inventors: Mark E. Cook, Michael W. Pariza
Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
Primary Examiner: K. Weddington


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What is claimed is:

1. A method of preventing weight loss, reduction in weight gain or anorexia in an animal caused by immune stimulation of the animal by endotoxin, said method comprising administering orally or parenterally to said animal a safe amount of a member selected from a conjugated linoleic acid, free linoleic acid, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, said amount being effective to prevent the weight loss, reduction in weight gain or anorexia caused by the immune stimulation.

2. A method of claim 1 in which the animal is a bird.

3. A method of claim 1 in which the conjugated linoleic acid is selected from 9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

4. A method of alleviating the adverse catabolic effects produced by a product of the immune system which is released after immune stimulation of an animal by endotoxin, said method comprising orally or parenterally administering to said animal a safe amount of a member selected from a conjugated linoleic acid, free linoleic acid, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, said amount being effective to alleviate said adverse catabolic effects produced by a product of the immune system.

5. A method of claim 4 in which the conjugated linoleic acid is selected from 9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

6. A method of alleviating the adverse catabolic effects produced by interleukin-1, said method comprising administering orally or parenterally to an animal a safe amount of a member selected from a conjugated linoleic acid, free linoleic acid, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, said amount being effective to alleviate said adverse catabolic effects.

7. A method for improving an animal food so as to prevent the weight loss, the reduction in weight gain or the anorexia which can be caused by immune stimulation of an animal by endotoxin, said method comprising adding to an animal food a member selected from 9,11-octadecadienoic acid; 10, 12-octadecadienoic acid; and mixtures thereof, so that the food contains about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of the food, said amount being effective when the food is fed to an animal to prevent the weight loss, the reduction in weight gain or the anorexia caused by immune stimulation.

Device and method of causing weight loss using removable variable volume

Abstract

A method and apparatus for causing weight loss in obese humans by occupying a segment of the stomach volume using a variable volume bladder filled with fluid. The bladder is inserted into the upper part of the stomach including the fundus through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostony tube, which was non-surgically placed to create a permanent channel to the stomach. The inserted bladder is filled and emptied using a filling system for pumping fluid in and out of the bladder according to a predetermined scheme. The filling system comprises a reversible pump, a two-way valve connected to the filling tube, an electronic control means for automatically controlling the action of the filling system, and a battery. The electronic control means is connected to a plurality of sensors placed on the human body to detect digestion cycle and hemodynamic parameters. The electronic control means collects information detected by the sensors, governs the filling system according to the obtained...

Patent number: 5259399
Filing date: Mar 2, 1992
Issue date: Nov 9, 1993
Inventor: Alan Brown
Primary Examiner: J. P. Lacyk


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What is claimed is:

1. A method of causing weight loss in obese humans by occupying a segment of the stomach volume using an inflated bladder, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring the volume and location of the stomach including the fundus by radiological techniques,

(b) selecting a bladder contoured in size and shape to substantially occupy the fundus or the body of the stomach measurement,

(c) introducing by percutaneous endscopic techniques a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (P.E.G.) tube to establish access from the outside to the body of the stomach through the abdominal wall,

(d) inserting said bladder through said percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube into the stomach so the size and shape of said bladder, cooperating with the position of placement of said gastrostomy tube, maintains said bladder in the upper part of the stomach including the fundus, and

(e) filling and emptying said bladder with fluid repeatedly over time through a filling tube that extends through said gastrostomy tube, in the manner that said bladder when filled occupies a large portion of said stomach to cause a feeling of satiety, thereby to achieve decreased consumption of food by a patient, and said emptying of said bladder provides periods of reduced trauma to the stomach to promote the patient's health and feeling of well being, said bladder capable of being withdrawn from said stomach through said P.E. G. tube to enable inspection and replacement and to enable ready access to the lumen of the stomach through the abdominal wall.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said measurement of the volume and location of said stomach is conducted by employing an air contrast upper GI series, including the making of frontal and lateral projection radiographs.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said measurement of the volume and location of said stomach is conducted by employing computerized tomography.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said introduction of said P.E.G. tube in said obese person comprises the steps of:

(a) inspecting said stomach of said obese person using both an endoscope and a fluoroscope, said endoscope introduced into the stomach through the mouth down through the esophagus,

(b) establishing a location for said gastrostomy tube placed to maintain said bladder in the desired position,

(c) when a needle, forming a puncture in the abdomen at said location, the needle passing through the thick layer of abdominal fat of said obese person, and via said puncture inserting a guidewire from outside through the abdominal wall into said fundus of said stomach, grasping the distal portion of said guidewire using said introduced endoscope and by pulling said endoscope out of the mouth extracting the distal end of said guidewire out of the mouth while the proximal end of said guidewire is held outside of the puncture formed in the abdomen,

(d) placing said gastrostomy tube through the abdominal wall by attaching said gastrostomy tube to the distal portion of said guidewire while said portion extends out of the patient's mouth and pulling on the proximal end of said guidewire until said percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube passes through the esophagus, stomach, and abdominal wall to the outside, and

(e) securing said sealing said placed gastrostomy tube on the stomach wall and on the abdominal wall and cutting said gastrostomy tube to the appropriate length.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

(a) removing said bladder from the stomach through said gastrostomy tube,

(b) inserting an endoscope into the stomach through said gastrostomy tube in order to examine the gastric wall for trauma and ulceration, and

(c) re-inserting said bladder through said gastrostomy tube into the stomach so the size and shape of said bladder, cooperating with the position of placement of said gastrostomy tube, again maintains said bladder in the fundus or the body of the stomach.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said repeated filling or emptying said bladder is automatically controlled by a filling system.

7. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of:

(a) detecting condition of said obese patient with sensors measuring indicators of digestion and hemodynamic parameters,

(b) transmitting information from said sensors to an electronic control means linked to a filling system used for filling and emptying said bladder, and

(c) controlling filling and emptying of said bladder by said filling system using said electronic control means.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said filling and emptying of said bladder being performed by a reversible air pump forcing air into said bladder or releasing air from said bladder as governed by said electronics control means receiving input from said sensors and operating according a predetermined procedure.

9. The method of claim 6 further including manually inducing said filling or emptying of said bladder by overriding said electronics control means connected to said filling system.

10. A medical device for treatment of obese humans by occupying a segment of the stomach volume comprising

a bladder sized and shaped to substantially occupy the fundus or the body of the stomach,

a filling tube connectable to said bladder for repeated filling and emptying of said bladder located in the stomach of said obese humans, and

said filling tube and said bladder collapsed in condition to pass through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (P.E.G.) tube into the stomach, said filling tube having sufficient lengths to extend proximally through said gastrostomy tube to enable said filling and emptying of said bladder.

11. The device of claim 10 including a stylet extending into the bladder to enable thrusting of the collapsed bladder through said P.E.G. tube into the stomach.

12. A system for automatically filling and emptying a bladder positioned in the stomach to enable weight loss in obese humans, said system being connected to a bladder through a filling tube, said system comprising

(a) a valve adapted to control amount of fluid introduced or released from said bladder through said filling tube,

(b) a reservoir of fluid for introduction into said bladder through said valve, and

(c) an electronics control means for controlling filling and emptying said bladder with said fluid according to a predetermined set of criteria.

13. A system for automatically filling and emptying a bladder positioned in the stomach in order to cause weight loss in obese humans, said system being connected to said bladder through a filling tube, said system comprising

(a) a valve for controlling amount of fluid introduced or released from said bladder through said filling tube,

(b) a pump for introducing air into said bladder through said valve, and

(c) an electronics control means for controlling filling and emptying said bladder with said fluid according to a predetermined set of criteria.

14. The system of claim 12 or 13 further comprising a plurality of sensors connected to provide information to said electronic control means,

said sensors being placed in the human body to monitor indicators of digestion or hemodynamic parameters and said electronic control means adapted to control said filling and emptying of said bladder in accordance with digestive cycles corresponding to said indicators.

15. A system of claim 12 or 13 wherein said electronic control means is adapted to keep an electronic record of inflation and deflation times and volumes of fluid passed through said valve.

Weight loss management system

Abstract

A weight loss management system utilizes a computer analysis of a participant's past medical history, eating habits, body measurements, exercise level and taste preferences to provide a menu of a specified number of calories to maintain a reasonable weight. The system provides consultation with a dietition in order for a participant to recognize the deficiencies in the past diet. The system further provides consultation to effect behavior modification of the participant by offering instruction in nutrition, exercise and proper cooking techniques.

Patent number: 4951197
Filing date: Feb 10, 1989
Issue date: Aug 21, 1990
Inventor: Gilbert Mellinger
Assignee: AMC of America
Primary Examiner: Gail O. Hayes



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1. A method of individualized weight management comprising:

(a) obtaining a medical history of a subject and determining the existence of any physiological abnormalities;

(b) obtaining a present physical profile of said subject said profile including data as to sex, physical measurements for determining frame size such as bone or wrist measurements, weight and height of said subject;

(c) obtaining specific information of recent food items caused by said subject and recent level of physical activity in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day;

(d) entering data obtained from steps (a)-(c) into a computer for comparison with predetermined standards of food consumption given a specified sex, frame size, weight, height and said recent level of physical activity in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day in relation to an ideal weight;

(e) obtaining a computer analysis of the comparison of the results of step (d) with the caloric and nutritional requirements for said subject at said ideal weight at said recent level of physical activity and employing said computer to calculate the deviation of the current eating habits from said requirements for said subject;

(f) computing with said computer to determine whether a subject should be placed on an intermediate diet plan having a target weight above an ideal target weight by utilizing the formula:

(A.times.C)-(B.times.C)=D

wherein

A represents the actual current weight of the subject in pounds or kilograms;

B represents the ideal weight in the same unit of measure as A and as determined by said compute analysis;

C represents said activity level of said subject in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day in which said activity level is represented by the values of 11 calories per pound for sedentary activity; the value of 13 calories per pound for light activity; the value of 15 calories per pound for moderate activity and the value of 20 calories per pound for vigorous physical activity;

D is a calculated number which if greater than 1,000 calories indicates said subject should be placed on a diet in which said target weight should be initially set above said ideal target weight;

(g) providing said subject with information as to a weight control program in which the eating habits are modified by selectively placing the caloric and nutritional intake at a targeted weight substantially at or above the value corresponding to said ideal weight;

(h) providing said subject with behavior modification instruction to alternatives to past food consumption wherein said behavior modification is selected from the group consisting of cooking, eating, exercise, nutrition or a combination thereof;

(i) providing said subject with periodic goals for achieving said behavior modification;

(j) providing periodic consulation with said subject and review to ascertain the attainment of goals resulting from step (i) and providing additional goals; and (k) following up said consulation and review with periodic computer analysis of said ideal with additional data gathered including the changes in weight and food consumption of said subjects in relation to said predetermined standards.

2. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said medical history includes historical information as to blood pressure, heart anomalities, chronic diseases and pregnancy.

3. The method of individualized weight measurement of claim 2 wherein said step of obtaining said physical profile and said physical measurements for determining frame size comprises the measurement of the circumference of the wrist of said subject.

4. The method of individualized weight measurement of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining specific information on recent food items consumed includes data on fat, carbohydrate protein and caloric intake in relation to the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day.

5. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes periodic updating as to changes in nutrient intake of said subject compared with predetermined standards.

6. The method of individualized weight management of claim 5 wherein said step of following up said consultation and review with periodic computer analysis further includes a print-out of the sources of calories consumed.

7. The method of individualized weight management of claim 6 wherein said print-out of said sources of calories consumed includes catagories listing the amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol as separate calorie sources.

8. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes periodic updating as to changes in the physical activity level of said subject.

9. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes computer analysis of the sources of calories consumed which are then compared with predetermined standards for sources of calories.

10. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining specific information of recent food items consumed by said subject includes information as to past food consumption and data regarding food item preferences.

11. The method of individualized weight management of claim 10 wherein said step of obtaining specific information of recent food items consumed by said subject includes information regarding food item taste preference.

12. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification instruction includes instruction in selecting quantity and types of foods.

13. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification instruction includes instruction for physical exercise.

14. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification includes modifying cooking habits to waterless and greaseless cooking.

15. A weight management method for attaining an ideal weight comprising:

(a) obtaining medical history of a subject to enumerate specific potential physiological abnormalities;

(b) obtaining a physical profile of said subject by means of obtaining data on height, sex, frame size, and weight;

(c) obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption over a specified period of time in terms of types of food, nutritional value, and the number of calories burned per pound per day;

(d) inputting data obtained from the information obtained in steps (a)-(c) to a computer for comparison with predetermined standards;

(e) ascertaining the number of calories said subject is above an ideal calorie and nutritional intake level;

(f) obtaining a computer analysis of the current calorie and nutritional level of said subject in relation to said predetermined standards;

(g) providing an intermediate calorie level above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level for a predetermined period of time where the number of calories said subject is above said ideal calorie and nutritional level is greater than 1000 calories;

(h) providing said subject with information as to a modification of eating patterns to selectively place said subject either at said ideal calorie and nutritional level, above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level, or not more than 300 calories below said ideal calorie and nutritional level:

(i) providing said subject with behavior modification instruction to alternatives to past food consumption wherein said behavior modification includes one or more changes selected from the group consisting of cooking, eating, nutritional and exercise habits;

(j) providing said subject with goals for achieving behavior modification on a periodic basis;

(k) providing periodic consultation and review with said subject to ascertain the attainment of goals of step (h) and providing additional goals; and

(l) following-up the consultation and review with a further computer analysis of the present weight and food consumption of said subject in relation to said predetermined standards.

16. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of ascertaining the number of calories said subject is above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level is calculated by said computer.

17. The weight management method of claim 16 wherein said step of obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption includes obtaining information as to food taste preference.

18. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of behavior modification includes modifying at least one member of the group consisting of cooking, eating and exercise habits.

19. The weight management method of claim 18 wherein said step of modifying said cooking habits includes greaseless and waterless cooking.

20. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of behavior modification consists of changing exercise habits.

21. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption includes listing amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol as separate calorie sources in relation to the number of calories burned per pound per day.

Weight loss composition for burning and reducing synthesis of fats

Abstract

The present invention involves a dietary supplement that can be used as a weight loss composition. The composition comprises of an essentially dry mixture of chromium, L-carnitine, gamma-linolenic acid, (-) hydroxycitric acid, choline, inositol, antioxidants and herbs. The preferred antioxidants are Coenzyme Q10 and the herbs are ginkgo biloba leaves. The essentially dry mixture can be prepared as a beverage and delivered enterally. The present invention also involves a method for inducing weight loss in a mammal. The method involves administering to a mammal, preferably a human, a weight loss inducing effective amount of the above described essentially dry mixture. The weight loss inducing effective amount of the above composition is administered daily in at least two separate portions of 7.325 grams each.

Patent number: 5626849
Filing date: Jun 7, 1995
Issue date: May 6, 1997
Inventors: Carl W. Hastings, David J. Barnes
Assignee: Reliv International, Inc.


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What is claimed is:

1. A weight loss composition comprising:

250 to 500 mg (-) hydroxycitric acid;

50 to 125 mg L-carnitine;

25 to 100 mcg Chromium;

25 to 100 mg Choline;

25 to 100 mg Inositol;

25 to 100 mg Gamma-Linolenic Acid;

15 to 75 mg herbs; and

5 to 30 mg antioxidants.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the herbs are ginkgo biloba leaves and the antioxidants are Coenzyme Q10.

3. The composition of claims 1 or 2 further comprising 0.15 to 0.35 g soy lecithin, 0 to 10 g carbohydrates, and 0.1 to 0.5 g oat flour.

4. The composition of claim 3 where the carbohydrates are maltodextrin and the oat flour is hydrolyzed.

5. A weight loss composition comprising:

250 to 500 mg (-) hydroxycitric acid;

50 to 125 mg L-carnitine;

25 to 100 mcg Chromium;

25 to 100 mg Choline;

25 to 100 mg Inositol;

25 to 100 mg Gamma-Linolenic Acid;

15 to 75 mg Ginkgo Biloba Leaves; and

5 to 30 mg Coenzyme Q10.

6. The composition of claim 5 further comprising 0.15 to 0.35 soy lecithin, 0 to 10 g carbohydrates, and 0.1 to 0.5 g oat flour.

7. The composition of claim 6 where the carbohydrates are maltodextrin and the oat flour is hydrolyzed.

8. A weight loss composition comprising:

375 mg (-) hydroxycitric acid;

75 mg L-Carnitine;

50 mcg Chromium;

50 mg Choline;

50mg Inositol;

501 mg Gamma-Linolenic Acid;

b 33 mg Ginkgo Biloba Leaves; and

15 mg Coenzyme Q10.

9. The composition of claim 8 further comprising 0.18 g soy lecithin, 5.3 g carbohydrates, and 0.33 g oat flour.

10. An aqueous beverage composition to facilitate weight loss comprising:

250 to 500 mg (-) hydroxycitric acid;

50 to 125 mg L-carnitine;

25 to 100 mcg Chromium;

25 to 100 mg Choline;

25 to 100 mg Inositol;

25 to 100 mg Gamma-Linolenic Acid;

15 to 75 mg Ginkgo Biloba Leaves; and

5 to 30 mg Coenzyme Q10.

11. The aqueous beverage composition of claim 10 further comprising 0.15 to 0.35 g soy lecithin, 0 to 10 g carbohydrates, and 0.1 to 0.5 g oat flour.

12. The aqueous beverage composition of claim 11 wherein the carbohydrates are maltodextrin and the oat flour is hydrolyzed.

13. A method of inducing weight loss in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a weight loss inducing effective amount of the composition of claim 1.

14. The amount of claim 13 wherein the weight loss inducing effective amount is administered at least daily in two separate portions of 7.325 grams each.

15. A method of inducing weight loss in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a weight loss inducing effective amount of the composition of claim 5.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the weight loss inducing effective amount is administered daily in two separate portions of 7.325 grams each.

17. A method of inducing weight loss in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a weight loss inducing effective amount of the composition of claim 8.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the weight loss inducing effective amount is administered at least daily in two separate portions of 7.325 grams each.

19. A method of inducing weight loss in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal a weight loss inducing effective amount of the composition of claim 10.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the weight loss inducing effective amount is administered daily in at least two separate portions of 7.325 grams each.

Weight loss device and method

Abstract

The intra-gastric weight loss system apparatus and method of the present invention includes an intra-gastric elastomeric rubber balloon with self-sealing fill valve, to be placed and retrieved without surgery. As a benign space-occupying device, it will decrease gastric capacity to the point that saiety (the feeling of fullness) will occur after very little food has been consumed. Thus, the advantages of gastric and intestinal by-pass surgery will be realized, without surgery and the many resulting complications thereof. The elastomeric balloon is inflated with a liquid, preferably a saline solution containing an X-ray contrast media. The balloon is placed in a person's stomach by passing a naso-gastric tube through the mouth. The N-G tube has a previously placed nylon pull string through the lumen and back up the exterior. After this, a metal stylette is run down the lumen to very near the end of the N-G tube. The rolled up balloon with fill tube attached is inserted into a...

Patent number: 4485805
Filing date: Aug 24, 1982
Issue date: Dec 4, 1984
Inventor: Lawrence H. Foster, Jr.
Assignee: Gunther Pacific Limited of Hong Kong


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What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in achieving a loss of weight in an overweight person comprising:

an inflatable device;

means for placing said device within the stomach of the person without surgery;

additional means for inflating said device with liquid after it has been placed in the person's stomach;

further means for allowing both said placing means and said inflating means to be completely removed from the person so as to leave the inflated device floating in the person's stomach; and said further means including

a pull string having a rollable finger cot attached at one end, and a releasable, self-closing fill valve as part of the inflatable device.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said releasable, self-closing fill valve receives one end of a flexible fill tube prior to the device being rolled up and associated with the extended finger cot for placing of the inflatable device in the person's stomach, said fill tube being connected to liquid supply means so that the inflatable device can be inflated with liquid after it has been placed in the person's stomach, and such inflation in turn effecting rolling up and disengagement of said finger cot from the device.

3. The method of placing a gastric cavity filling device within an obese person's gastric cavity without any surgery, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable device in deflated form;

attaching a fill tube to the inflatable device;

inserting a hollow tube containing a string therethrough into the person's mouth, esophagus and gastric cavity;

releasably attaching the deflated device with fill tube attached to one end of the string;

pulling the other end of the string to pull the deflated device into the person's gastric cavity;

inflating the deflated device through the fill tube and after suitable inflation of the device;

removing all the placing apparatus so that the inflated device remains free-floating in the person's gastric cavity without any attachments thereto.

4. The method of claim 3, with the further steps of:

inserting a stiffener member into the hollow tube containing the string therethrough prior to the step of pulling the string.

5. The method of claim 4, with the additional step of using liquid containing an X-ray opaque substance therein for inflating the device.

Weight loss control system

Abstract

A control for a batch bin and a continuous loss bin system having a separate weight measuring device for each bin whose sum at transfer is used to establish continuously digitally desired weights at fixed intervals to be compared with the actual weight in the continuous loss bin to provide an error signal for a continuous feeder.

Patent number: 4111336
Filing date: Apr 14, 1977
Issue date: Sep 5, 1978
Inventors: William H. Ward, Henry F. Henderson, Jr., Kenneth H. Kardux
Assignee: H. F. Henderson Industries


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What is claimed is:

1. In a material feeding apparatus having a first storage means for storing a preselected weight of material, a transfer means at the outlet of said first storage means, a second storage at the outlet of said transfer means for storing material, a continuous feed means at the outlet of said second storage means and control means for operating said transfer means and said continuous feed means the improvement being said control means which comprises:

first measuring means for measuring the weight of material in said first storage means;

second measuring means for continuously measuring the weight of material in said second storage means;

logic means for providing a control signal for said continuous feed means as a function of the weight measurement of said second measuring means relative to the sum of weight measurements of said first and second measuring means prior to opening of said transfer means.

2. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said logic means includes digital weight prediction means responsive to weight measurements of said first and second measuring means to provide desired weights at specific time intervals and a means for comparing said desired weights and weight measurements of said second measuring means to produce said control signal for said continuous feed means.

3. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said weight prediction means includes means for digitally storing weight measurments from said first and second measuring means immediately prior to said transfer means opening and means for decrementing said storing means to provide said desired weights.

4. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said weight prediction means includes a down counter for storing sum of weight measurements from said first and second measuring means, means for counting down said counter at a fixed rate and a digital to analog converter for converting the contents of said down counter to said desired weight for a desired feeding rate.

5. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said comparing means includes an analog comparator for comparing said desired weight with the weight measurement from said second measuring means and said countdown means includes a variable reference for modifying said desired weight as a function of a desired feeding rate.

6. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said comparing means includes a sample and hold means for holding said control signal for said continuous feed means at a fixed value during said transfer.

7. The material feeding apparatus according to claim 6 including timing means responsive to a low weight signal from said second measuring means for activating said transfer means and said sample and hold means for a fixed period of time.

8. A control system for material feeding apparatus comprising:

first means for measuring the weight of a batch supply;

second means for measuring the weight of a continuous loss supply;

means for transferring said batch supply to said continuous loss supply;

logic means for continuously providing a desired weight signal at fixed intervals based on the sum of the signals of said first and second measuring means immediately prior to said batch supply being transferred to said continuous loss supply; and

means for providing a weight error signal responsive to said desired weight signal and said signal of said second measuring means.

9. A control system according to claim 8 wherein said logic means includes means for digitally storing the sum of signals from said first and second measuring means immediately prior to said transfer and means for continuously decrementing said digital storage means at a rate sufficient to provide desired weight signals at said fixed intervals.

10. A control system according to claim 9 wherein said logic means further includes a digital to analog converter for converting the decremental sum to an analog desired weight signal and wherein said error means includes analog means for comparing said desired weight signal with the weight signal from said second measuring means to provide said weight error signals.

11. A control system according to claim 10 wherein said error means includes means connected to the output of said analog comparing means for sampling the output of said analog comparing means and holding the sampled value during said transfer.

12. A control system according to claim 9 wherein said digital storage means includes a down counter and said logic means includes means for summing said signals from said first and second measuring means and means for inserting the sum from said summing means to said digital storage means at a preselected value of said signal of said second measuring means.

13. A control system according to claim 12 wherein said decrementing means includes a means for producing pulses and means for accumulating said pulses to produce said decrementing at said fixed interval, and said inserting means receives pulses from said accumulating means to insert said sum between one of said fixed intervals.

14. A control system according to claim 12 wherein said error means includes means for sampling and holding said weight error signal and wherein said logic means includes a timing means for providing a batch transfer signal and a sample and hold signal for a fixed period of time in response to said preselected value of said signal of said second measuring means.

Method of assisting weight loss

Abstract

A method of assisting weight loss involving the combined administration of a rauwolfia alkaloid and at least one antidepressant, selected from the groups consisting of aminoazoles, phenoxyphenylpropylamines, and aminopropiophenones, in a daily regimen with the optional co-administration of one or more sympathomimetic anorexic agents. In a typical embodiment of this method, reserpine and trazodone are administered in a daily regimen with diethylpropion, fenfluramine or both diethylpropion and fenfluramine.

Patent number: 4895845
Filing date: Sep 15, 1986
Issue date: Jan 23, 1990
Inventor: John C. Seed
Primary Examiner: Raymond J. Henley, III

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What is claimed is:

1. A method of assisting weight loss in a human in need thereof which comprises administering to said human, over a sustained period of time, both a rauwolfia alkaloid in the form of reserpine, and at least one antidepressant selected from the group consisting of trazodone, bupropion and fluoxetine in an administration regimen sufficient to supply effective daily dosages thereof for assisting weight loss.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said antidepressant is trazodone and both reserpine and trazodone are administered concomitantly.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the daily dosage of reserpine is between about 0.001 and about 0.01 milligram per kilogram of human body weight.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said antidepressant is trazodone and the daily dosage of trazodone is between about 0.1 and about 6.0 milligram per kilogram of human body weight.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said antidepressant is fluoxetine and both reserpine and fluoxetine are administered concomitantly.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the daily dosage of reserpine is between about 0.001 and about 0.01 milligram per kilogram of human body weight.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said antidepressant is fluoxetine and the daily dosage of fluoxetine is between about 0.1 and about 1.5 milligram per kilogram of human body weight.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the rauwolfia alkaloid is reserpine, and both trazodone and fluoxetine are administered, said reserpine, trazodone, and fluoxetine being administered in a regimen sufficient to supply effective daily dosages thereof for assisting weight loss.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the rauwolfia alkaloid is reserpine, and trazodone, bupropion, and fluoxetine are administered, said reserpine, trazodone, bupropion and fluoxetine being administered in a regimen sufficient to supply effective daily dosages thereof for assisting weight loss.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the rauwolfia alkaloid is reserpine, and both trazodone and bupropion are administered, said reserpine, trazodone, and bupropion being administered in a regimen sufficient to supply effective daily dosages thereof for assisting weight loss.

Weight loss device and method

Abstract

The intra-gastric weight loss system apparatus and method of the present invention includes an intra-gastric elastomeric rubber balloon with self-sealing fill valve, to be placed and retrieved without surgery. As a benign space-occupying device, it will decrease gastric capacity to the point that saiety (the feeling of fullness) will occur after very little food has been consumed. Thus, the advantages of gastric and intestinal by-pass surgery will be realized, without surgery and the many resulting complications thereof. The elastomeric balloon is inflated with a liquid, preferably a saline solution containing an X-ray contrast media. The balloon is placed in a person's stomach by passing a naso-gastric tube through the mouth. The N-G tube has a previously placed nylon pull string through the lumen and back up the exterior. After this, a metal stylette is run down the lumen to very near the end of the N-G tube. The rolled up balloon with fill tube attached is inserted into a...

Patent number: 4485805
Filing date: Aug 24, 1982
Issue date: Dec 4, 1984
Inventor: Lawrence H. Foster, Jr.
Assignee: Gunther Pacific Limited of Hong Kong

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What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in achieving a loss of weight in an overweight person comprising:

an inflatable device;

means for placing said device within the stomach of the person without surgery;

additional means for inflating said device with liquid after it has been placed in the person's stomach;

further means for allowing both said placing means and said inflating means to be completely removed from the person so as to leave the inflated device floating in the person's stomach; and said further means including

a pull string having a rollable finger cot attached at one end, and a releasable, self-closing fill valve as part of the inflatable device.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said releasable, self-closing fill valve receives one end of a flexible fill tube prior to the device being rolled up and associated with the extended finger cot for placing of the inflatable device in the person's stomach, said fill tube being connected to liquid supply means so that the inflatable device can be inflated with liquid after it has been placed in the person's stomach, and such inflation in turn effecting rolling up and disengagement of said finger cot from the device.

3. The method of placing a gastric cavity filling device within an obese person's gastric cavity without any surgery, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable device in deflated form;

attaching a fill tube to the inflatable device;

inserting a hollow tube containing a string therethrough into the person's mouth, esophagus and gastric cavity;

releasably attaching the deflated device with fill tube attached to one end of the string;

pulling the other end of the string to pull the deflated device into the person's gastric cavity;

inflating the deflated device through the fill tube and after suitable inflation of the device;

removing all the placing apparatus so that the inflated device remains free-floating in the person's gastric cavity without any attachments thereto.

4. The method of claim 3, with the further steps of:

inserting a stiffener member into the hollow tube containing the string therethrough prior to the step of pulling the string.

5. The method of claim 4, with the additional step of using liquid containing an X-ray opaque substance therein for inflating the device.