Image: The Diamond attached via electrodes to the stomach muscles (Photo courtesy of Metacure).

An implantable gastric stimulator could free diabetics from medications and injections, and lose weight during the process.

The Diamond implantable gastric stimulator is based on electrodes attached through laparoscopic surgery to the outer stomach muscles, enhancing their contractions, a natural physiological response to eating; these contractions cause the patient to feel sated more quickly during a meal. It also affects the release of hormones form the gastrointestinal (GI) system that influencing hunger, and the absorption and metabolism of nutrients. Initially designed as a treatment for obesity--one of the risk factors for diabetes--the Diamond was also found to be effective independently in controlling blood glucose levels. Patients have also shown improvement in diabetes-associated metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

The Diamond works by enhancing, rather than artificially pacing, stomach contractions; additionally, it is not continuously activated, but rather kicks in only when the eating detection sensor is activated. Implanted during a minimally invasive procedure with about a day's recovery period, the device does not require any action by the patient, apart from a 45-minute weekly recharging. Every three to six months, the patient is examined by a clinical technician to make sure the system is aligned properly with personal physiological patterns. The Diamond gastric simulator is a product of MetaCure (Kfar Saba, Israel), and has received the European Union CE marking of approval.

“We have over 230 patients implanted with it worldwide, and we've seen the system reduces blood glucose levels significantly,” said Lior Teitelbaum, director of business development at MetaCure. “Our solution reduces weight an average of five kilos, improves the blood lipids profile, reduces blood pressure, and can even improve liver function.”

Guangzhou Jia Yu medical equipment Limited