Gastric filler devices for obesity therapy

摘要

An obesity treatment device comprises a filament filler material movable between a substantially straight insertion/removal configuration and an operative configuration in which the filament extends along a predetermined curve to occupy a selected volume within the stomach and a retrieval device connected to a proximal end of the filler material facilitating grasping and withdrawal of the filler material. A method of treating obesity, comprises inserting to a desired position within the GI tract a filament filler in a substantially straight configuration and moving the filler into an operative configuration in which the filler curves along a predetermined path to define a desired volume in combination with, after a predetermined treatment period has elapsed, collapsing the filler into the substantially straight configuration for trans-oral removal.

主权项

1. An obesity treatment device, comprising:
a hollow bubble having a shape that is one of substantially spherical and substantially ovoid, in an insertion/removal configuration, the bubble sized to be slidably inserted through the esophagus and, in an operative configuration, the bubble configured to be inflated to a desired volume within a stomach, the bubble including a flexible outer wall and a failure zone formed in the wall so that, when the bubble is subject to a predetermined stress, the wall fails along the failure zone, wherein the failure zone is formed as a spiral groove weakened with respect to other portions of the wall and directs tearing of the wall into an elongated tape; and a handle being operatively connected to a proximal end of the outer wall facilitating grasping and retrieval of the wall to draw the wall proximally.