A new implantable medical device, developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic researchers, shows promise as a reversible and less extreme alternative to bariatric surgery, according to findings published the current issue of the journal Surgery.
In a six-month open label trial involving three medical centers in Australia, Mexico and Norway, the 31 obese participants who received the vagal nerve blocking device, also called VBLOC™ therapy, lost an average of nearly 15 percent of their excess weight. A quarter of the participants lost more than 25 percent, and three patients lost more than 30 percent, of their excess weight.
See below for the remainder of the news release, including audio and video resources featuring Michael Camilleri, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and the co-lead author of the journal article.
Segment #1: Dr. Camilleri describes the theory behind the research into blockade of the vagal nerves.
Segment #2: Dr. Camilleri describes how the device works.
Segment #3: Dr. Camilleri compares VBLOC therapy with established forms of bariatric surgery.
Segment #4: Dr. Camilleri explains why diet modification was not included in this study.
Michael Camilleri, M.D., a gastroenterologist who helped to design the study and one of the Mayo Clinic researchers whose previous work and know-how contributed to development of the device in collaboration with EnteroMedics, Inc., says the goal is to find a less drastic alternative to bariatric surgery that will still yield significant weight loss. Bariatric surgery techniques currently used include “banding” which involves placement of a band around the top part of the stomach to reduce its capacity or the different bypass procedures which re-route food and remove part of the stomach.
Read the rest of the Mayo Clinic news release.
Updated: For information about the new study involving the VBLOC device, visit the EMPOWER Study website, call the study info call line: 866.291.9146 or visit the Clinical Trial Web Link for detailed information about the trial and recruiting centers.
26 Comments
I WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE STUDY GROUP IF HELD IN TEXAS,AUSTIN OR SAN ANTONIO..
I would like to be part of the study group if in the washington dc area.
I am a business development manager in the Middle East and would like to represent the product to sell once commercialized to specially Saudi Arabia where obesity is as high as USA. We also would like to be involve in the study if possible.
I would like to participate in a study group located within the Los Angeles/Orange County area of CA.
I have been reading about the benefits of the VBLOCK study and would gladly be a participant should they do a study in Rochester, MN. Do we know when this might be available?
I would like to volunteer for a study if held in Baltimore, MD or Washington, DC area.
I WOULD LOVE TO DO YOUR STUDY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS ONE IS AVAILABLE IN LOUISIANA. I AM IN BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA
My son has had a weight problem since he was a youngster. He is now 34 and obese. He is desperate to lose weight but says, it is like an addiction. He can not stop eating until he is “uncomforterably” full. He tries to walk, but any small workout is exhausting. So it is a vicious circle. He lives in Canada
I would love to try your study. Contact me in Michigan as soon as it is available. We have all been struggling with weight issues and this sounds like it would really help.
I am very interested in trying this device or having my vagal nerve snipped as a weight loss intervention. I live in Raleigh, Please advise if there will be or already is a trial study available in NC.
See the update in the body of the post for information on the newest VBLOC trial.
I have dibetes. an I would like to be in your next study. I live in Fl.
i would be interested in this i am at high risk for lapband surgery how soon is this available it gives me a much more promising outlook i am scared of surgery.
I would like to be apart of your study for the device blocking for lossing weight.
My son is 19,has Spina Bifida and is morbidly obese. Does this device have any effect on patients who already have a shunt implanted for hydrocephalus? Are there any studies being done in AL?
I am a 66 years old female who is extremely obese, 5′3″ and 222 lbs and have extreme trouble loosing weight. I am also a Diabetic on insulin Novalog 20 20 30 and Levimer 70 units at bedtime. It is important for me to loose weight in order to control my diabeties and try not to get the complications that come with having this desease.
I would love to be a part of your
study. I live in Greenville, SC but would be willing to go to any of the Mayo Clinics performing this study.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Elaine Brown
Thanks for your note. As listed in the updated post, you can follow these links to find a study location close to you
http://www.empowerstudy.com/
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00521079?term=vbloc&rank=2
I live in the Twin Cities not far from the U of M and would love to participate in the study. When do you think this will be available to be used in the US? And is it available anywhere else in the world at this time?
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Weber
This type of surgery for weight loss would truly be for me! I have alot of trouble with digesting foods, hernia, copd, obese, congestive heart failure at one point,lots of breathing problems and it would be a miracle for me to loose weight so i can manage life so much easier! I am to very depressed and who wouldnt, all this since my pregancy of my girl in 1999. I had extemely bad toxcimea(not sure of spelling) and ended up with congested heart failure! So please some one HELP ME Toooo!!
I HAVE SOME MEDICAL PROBLEMS CAUSES ME TO
KEEP THIS WEIGHT. I WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE STUDY. THANKS PATSY FROM GREENEVILLE
TN.
I have been following the development of the Gastric Pacemaker as a device for Vega Nerve stimulation for bariatric purposes since aproximately 1988. I have applied as a Trial volunteer, but no studies have been done in the Seattle, WA area.
I became morbidly obese following massive X-ray radiation exposure, most significantly to the head, from a defective lead shield in a highpower microwave transmitter, which presumeably (based on all hormonal levels going from normal to below or barely above the low end of normal levels) damaged the Hypothalamus. Fortunately, I am not yet diabetic, but my weight continues to slowly increase, and having a dramatic effect on health (Heart attacks, strokes, etc). Fortunately am not yet diabetic, but because of the Morbid Obesity, heart damage, and stroke history, I am now a Non-Operable surgical candidate for other bariatric approaches.
I am discusted with the FDA that a device, which has a long history of remarkably reliable use, namely cardiac pacemakers, now being tried for an alternative application, which has shown to have no more serious pejorative effects than hickups, and is easily turned OFF, has taken 20 years and counting to release for clinical use, while medications, with NO history and potentially grave side effects are kicked out the door in a matter of months.
Yes, studies can optimize the modulation and energy levels of the device, but once implanted, that also can be done via an external CPU low speed EM coupling. So why the hell are we not implanting these ASAP, and dealing with the software optomization improvements later?
SHAME AGAIN AND AGAIN on the FDA.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Luc Martini
I am a 54 years old female who is extremely obese, 5′4″ and well over 220 lbs and have extreme trouble loosing weight. I am also a Diabetic on insulin Humalog 3 times a day using a sliding scale and Lantus 50 units at bedtime. It is important for me to loose weight in order to control my diabeties and try not to get the complications that come with having this desease.I have degenerative arthritis in my lower back. I am currently taking Lyrica for it now. I work full time, but it is very difficult to do that.
I would love to be a part of your
study. I live in Peoria, IL, but would be willing to go to any of the Mayo Clinics that perform this study.
Thank you and God Bless
This is an intriguing idea; how soon can I volunteer? I’m sure that most fat people (myself included) would welcome the opportunity to move this science forward. Thanks to Mayo for (yet again) bringing cutting edge technology to medicine.
I have been intrigued by this procedure since I first saw it on the news months ago. I am extremely overweight and though I try I just can’t stop thinking of food at all times of the day. I think this would be a lifesaver and would love to participate if given the chance!
I AM A 60 YRS OLD WEIGHT 280 LB 5′8” THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY WEIGHT LOSS STUDY CLOSE TO BOSSIER CITY OR SHREVEPORT LA I HAVE HIGH BLOOD ACID REFLUX SHORT OF BREATH AND OTHER PROBLEN.I WILL LIKE TO BE A VOLUNTEE
Although you have NO shortage of volunteers, I qualify on every point and really need to be part of your study. In the words of HOWDY DOODY fans everywhere, “Pick Me! Pick Me”