APPARATUS FOR TREATING OBESITY BY EXTRACTING FOOD

摘要

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. A tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a. a tube comprising
i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said distal end portion is configured to be disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient; andii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient's abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and b. a first retention member that is disposed on the distal portion of the gastrostomy tube and attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient's abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient, and wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.