Gastric band with asymmetrical member

摘要

An apparatus comprises a strap and an inflatable bladder secured to the strap. The apparatus is sized and configured to wrap along a first plane to encompass an anatomical feature such as an esophagus or stomach. The bladder may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric about the first plane, such as a tapered profile or a contoured profile. The wall thickness of the bladder may be substantially uniform or may vary about the perimeter of the bladder. The bladder may include an expansion section that allows the bladder to transition from having a substantially flat cross-sectional configuration in a non-inflated state to having a substantially tapered cross-sectional configuration an inflated state. The expansion section may include folds, pleats, gussets, or the like. The strap may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric about the first plane. Such a strap may include annular ribs of varying sizes.