Treatment for Obesity by Selectively Clipping the Gastric Fundus to Modify Blood Flow

摘要

Weight loss can be promoted by folding a portion of the gastric fundus of a human subject's stomach in proximity to the distal portion of the subject's left gastric artery (including its smaller branches), and clipping the tissue so that it stays in the folded state. The clips cause endovascular flow reduction or interruption to the fundus. The reduced or interrupted blood flow decreases the production of the hormone ghrelin, which reduces the subject's appetite, thereby promoting weight loss. A similar procedure may also be implemented in portions of the subject's stomach that are in proximity to other arteries.

主权项

1. A method of promoting weight loss, the method comprising the steps of:
folding a healthy and non-bleeding portion of a mammal subject's gastric fundus in proximity to the distal portion of the subject's left gastric artery; and securing the folded portion of the subject's gastric fundus using at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to squeeze the folded portion of the subject's gastric fundus with sufficient force to result in a reduction or interruption of blood flow to a portion of the gastric fundus that is ordinarily supplied with blood by the left gastric artery.