Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080215075 | IMPLANTABLE COIL FOR INSERTION INTO A HOLLOW BODY ORGAN - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ including a member having an undeployed shape for delivery to the hollow body and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The member has a plurality of links pivotably connected to each other, and a flexible elongated tether connected to the member such that tensioning the tether places the member in the deployed shape. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. | 09-04-2008 |
20090024077 | METHOD OF INSUFFLATING THE INTERIOR OF A GASTRIC CAVITY OF A PATIENT. - A method of insufflating the interior of a gastric cavity of a patient by accessing the gastric cavity of a patient, sealing the pyloric sphincter so as to prevent passage of fluids therethrough, and introducing a fluid within said gastric cavity proximal to the pyloric sphincter. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024144 | HYBRID ENDOSCOPIC/LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICE FOR FORMING SEROSA TO SEROSA PLICATIONS IN A GASTRIC CAVITY - A device for manipulating gastric tissue with an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The housing contains at least one fastener. The fastener includes at least two anchors connected together by a flexible member. The flexible member has a knot disposed thereon. The knot is movable to draw together the anchors and lock them into position with respect to each other. The device also includes a penetrating member disposed at the distal end of the housing, and an actuator for deploying the fasteners distally through the housing and the penetrating member. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024163 | HYBRID ENDOSCOPIC/LAPAROSCOPIC METHOD FOR FORMING SEROSA TO SEROSA PLICATIONS IN A GASTRIC CAVITY - A method for treating obesity by reducing the volume and/or alter the functioning of the gastric cavity to limit food consumption and induce early satiety. The method includes accessing the cavity endoscopically to visualize the interior of the cavity. The peritoneal cavity is accessed through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Using endoscopic visualization, suture anchoring devices are introduced into the peritoneal cavity through the incision and deployed from the exterior surface through the gastric cavity wall. Suture from pairs of the anchoring devices is drawn through the gastric cavity wall and tightened outside of the cavity to form a serosa to serosa plication. Any number of plications may be formed in the cavity wall and the contacting tissue within a plication may be treated to promote healing and a more durable bond. | 01-22-2009 |
20090157113 | WEARABLE ELEMENTS FOR IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEMS - Various wearable elements are provided for a more comfortable and efficient way of carrying external devices related to powering and monitoring an implantable restriction device. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for forming a restriction in a patient is provided and includes an implantable restriction device adapted to form a restriction in a patient and having an implantable communicating member configured to send and/or receive a wireless signal. The system can further include a wearable element configured to be worn by a patient and an external device coupled to the wearable element which is configured to send and/or receive a wireless signal to communicate with the implantable communicating member. | 06-18-2009 |
20090192534 | SENSOR TRIGGER - Methods and devices for effecting a gastric restriction system are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient is provided and can include an implantable restriction device and at least one implantable sensor that is in communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device can be adjustable and can be configured to form a restriction in a patient. The implantable sensor(s) can be defaulted to a dormant power usage mode and can have a triggering mechanism that is configured to place the sensor(s) in a use configuration upon the occurrence of a triggering event. | 07-30-2009 |
20090275797 | HYBRID LAPAROSCOPIC-ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR DELIVERING END EFFECTORS THROUGH A NATURAL ORIFICE - A method for performing a hybrid laparoscopic-endoscopic procedure is achieved by inserting a medical instrument laparoscopically through an abdominal wall and into a gastric cavity, inserting an overtube and endoscope transorally into the gastric cavity to provide an access path to the gastric cavity, passing an end effector transorally to the surgical site translumenally within the endoscope, and attaching the end effector to a distal end of the medical instrument while the instrument is positioned within the gastric cavity. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275937 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING A LUMENAL WALL - A marking apparatus includes a selectively inflatable balloon. The balloon includes an external lumen adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The external lumen includes ports for creating a vacuum at the ports sufficient to draw walls of the gastric cavity into contact with the external lumen. The balloon is further provided with RF energy delivery devices. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a marking apparatus includes an elongated, hollow body, the hollow body including a proximal end and a distal end. The hollow body includes at least one suction trough in which a plurality of holes is disposed to draw suction on tissue. The at least one suction trough extends along a substantial portion of the hollow body as it extends from its distal end to its proximal end. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275942 | BALLOON TISSUE DAMAGE DEVICE - An inflatable medical instrument for tissue damage in gastric reduction surgery includes a main chamber composed of a biocompatible material capable of being selectively inflated. The medical instrument also includes a longitudinally extending tab member secured to an outer surface of the main chamber, a series of suction holes are formed along the tab member and an electrode is mounted on the tab member. The present invention also provides a method for forming a tissue junction used in defining a gastric pouch including damaging opposed tissue layers, apposing the tissue layers and fastening the tissue layers to allow the tissue layers to heal together. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275961 | GASTRIC VOLUME REDUCTION USING ANTERIOR TO POSTERIOR WALL JUNCTIONS - A restriction system for joining anterior and posterior walls of a gastric cavity in the performance of the gastric reduction surgery includes a first restriction ring and a second restriction ring shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the first restriction ring for effectively decreasing the volume available within the gastric cavity. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275962 | TISSUE APPOSITION METHOD AND DEVICE INVOLVING SHEETS WITH INTEGRATED TENSIONING SYSTEM - A tensioning system for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes a base material that is shaped and dimensioned for surgical attachment to surfaces on or within the body. Multiple tensioning members are incorporated into the base material, each of the tensioning members including a first end and a second end, wherein pulling upon the tensioning member will cause edges of the base material to be drawn together. The method for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes securing edges of a tensioning system to the gastric cavity and drawing the edges of the tissue together to create a fold in the tissue. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275964 | METHOD OF ROLLING STOMACH TISSUE SO AS TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTACT SURFACE AREA OF A FOLD - A rolling instrument for rolling the outside surface of the stomach for reducing stomach volume in bariatric surgery includes an elongated tubular body that is sufficiently flexible to allow for access to the outside surface. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is shaped and dimensioned for use by the medical practitioner performing the medical procedure and includes a handle for manipulation of the rolling instrument. The distal end of the tubular body includes a mechanism allowing for gripping of the stomach in a manner permitting rolling thereof. A coiled retainer shaped and dimensioned is provided for application to the rolled portion of the stomach in a manner holding the rolled portion of the stomach in its rolled configuration. The coiled retainer includes a helically coiled body having a first end and a second end, the first end is pointed such that it may puncture tissue as the coiled body is rotated during its application to the stomach. | 11-05-2009 |
20090275975 | GASTRIC COIL MANIPULATOR - A gastric coil manipulator includes a longitudinally extending shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a flexible element with a portion thereof extending beyond the distal end of the shaft for the creation of a resilient arc, wherein an actuator cable is secured to the flexible element for manipulation of the portion of the flexible element extending beyond the distal end of the shaft. | 11-05-2009 |
20090326433 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - A method for placing an implant within a hollow body organ by providing a member with distal and proximal ends. The member has at least one tensioning tether with a first end attached to at least one of the distal and proximal end and a second ends attached to the member between the distal and proximal ends. The step includes moving the member towards the deployed shape by applying tension to the tether. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326675 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant has a member with distal and proximal ends. The member has an undeployed shape for delivery to the hollow body and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The implant has at least one tensioning tether with a first end attached to at least one of the distal and proximal end and a second ends attached to the member between the distal and proximal ends. Wherein applying tension to the tether moves the member towards the deployed shape. The member preferably has a first rate at which it initially resists bending, and a second substantially higher rate at which it resists further bending. | 12-31-2009 |
20100114125 | METHOD OF REMOTELY ADJUSTING A SATIATION AND SATIETY-INDUCING IMPLANTED DEVICE - An system, including an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The system includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The system includes an external means in communication with the member, the external means is remote from a patient, the external means comprises a means for remotely adjusting the shape of the member, and a means of powering the implant. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114141 | OPTIMIZING THE OPERATION OF AN INTRA-GASTRIC SATIETY CREATION DEVICE - A method for determining an optimum control parameter of a distension system for causing distension in a stomach. The method includes the step of providing an implantable distension system for causing distension in a stomach, the system including an adjustable distension device configured to form a distension in a stomach. The method also involves adjusting the distension device, and determining the value of a control parameter of the distension system. The method also involves repeating the steps of adjusting the distension device and determining the value of the control parameter until the control parameter is substantially convergent as a function of time. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114142 | POWERING IMPLANTABLE DISTENSION SYSTEMS USING INTERNAL ENERGY HARVESTING MEANS - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes a distension device having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The distension device has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant also includes a powered means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body including an apparatus operable to convert energy produced by the patient into energy to power the implantable device. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114143 | WEARABLE ELEMENTS FOR INTRA-GASTRIC SATIETY CREATIONS SYSTEMS - A device, including an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The device includes a wearable element configured to be worn by a patient, and has an external device coupled thereto and configured to send and/or receive a wireless signal to control the means for changing the deployed shape. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114144 | INTRA-GASTRIC SATIETY CREATION DEVICE WITH DATA HANDLING DEVICES AND METHODS - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes an implantable distension device having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The implantable distension device has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant includes a powered means for changing the deployed shape of the implantable distension device while implanted within the hollow body. The implant also includes an implantable sensing device in communication with the implantable distension device and configured to sense a parameter related to the implantable distension device and to communicate the parameter to a filter, the filter transmits a selected portion of the parameter to a data storage device. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114145 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR FIXING ANTENNA ORIENTATION IN AN INTRA-GASTRIC SATIETY CREATION SYSTEM - A device, including an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The device includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The means includes an antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. The external device is configured to communicate telemetrically with the member. The device further includes at least one means to limit rotational movement of the antenna relative at least one of the member and the external device. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114146 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PREDICTING INTRA-GASTRIC SATIETY AND SATIATION CREATION DEVICE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE - A method of affecting a weight loss treatment comprising the step of providing an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant comprising a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant also includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The method further includes the steps of implanting the implant within a patient, implanting a data gathering device within the patient, collecting physiological data of a patient relating to the implant, and comparing the data to a fixed value and changing the shape of the member. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114148 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING A SATIATION AND SATIETY-INDUCING IMPLANTED DEVICE - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ having a member with an undeployed shape, for delivery within a hollow body, and one or more deployed shapes, for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant also includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114149 | AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING INTRA-GASTRIC SATIATION AND SATIETY CREATION DEVICE - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ, the implant includes a distension device having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The device has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant further includes an implantable pump in fluid communication with the distension device and having a plurality of actuators configured to change the shape of the distension device upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump. | 05-06-2010 |
20100185225 | GUI FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DISTENSION DEVICE AND A DATA LOGGER - A device, including a display and an implant for placement within a hollow body organ, the device includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member having sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The device includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The device also includes a wireless device, external to a body of a patient, for controlling the means and for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. | 07-22-2010 |
20110077671 | SUTURE MANAGEMENT - Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for tensioning suture. The methods and devices are particularly useful in surgical suturing applications in which it is desirable to maintain tension on suture being delivered, yet to allow the tension to be released as desired without retracting the suture. Thus, when tension is released, a length of suture extended from the device can remain extended without any tension being applied thereto. Tension is only applied to any additional length of suture that is extended from the device. The tension applied to the suture is proportional to the length of the suture extended from the device until the tension is released and reset. | 03-31-2011 |
20110295055 | Methods and Devices For The Rerouting Of Chyme To Induct Intestinal Brake - Methods and devices reroute chyme to induce intestinal brake in order to improve the effectiveness of bariatric surgical procedures and to improve comorbidity resolution. A bowel is manipulated to provide a shortened path for chyme to travel to the ileum. These methods and devices of rerouting chyme to induce intestinal brake may comprise one or more of a surgical procedure, an implanted device, or a combination of an implant with an improved surgical procedure. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295178 | Intestinal Brake Inducing Intraluminal Therapeutic Substance Eluting Devices and Methods - Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices may be accomplished via stabilized implantable systems and ingestible pills. In one aspect, a method of inducing satiety includes implanting an implant within a lumen of a gastrointestinal tract and retaining a portion of chyme that flows by the implant within a body of the implant. The method further involves re-releasing the retained chyme from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract at a predetermined rate slower than a rate caused by natural peristalsis. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295180 | INTESTINAL BRAKE INDUCING INTRALUMINAL THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCE ELUTING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295185 | Intestinal Brake Inducing Intraluminal Therapeutic Substance Eluting Devices and Methods - Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, a method of producing satiety comprising the steps of accessing a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and implanting an intraintestinal therapeutic substance eluting implant. The implant is capable of eluting a satiety inducing substance selected from at least one of a nutrient, a specific satiety inducing bio-active substance, pancreatic polypeptides, free fatty acids, cholecystokinin, amino acids, glutamine, lipids, linoleic acid, or a combination thereof, from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract. | 12-01-2011 |
20110295337 | Systems and Methods For Regulating Metabolic Hormone Producing Tissue - A method for regulating hormone production comprises placing at least one electrode in a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and recording an electrical signal during a preselected event produced by the gastrointestinal tract. The method further involves the steps of storing the electrical signal, and playing back the electrical signal by activating the electrode during the absence of the preselected event. | 12-01-2011 |
20120165792 | Pill Catchers - Devices and related methods arc provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete. administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs. | 06-28-2012 |
20120165793 | Pill Catchers - Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs. | 06-28-2012 |