INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON RETRIEVAL MECHANISMS

摘要

A mechanism (110) for removing a fluid-filled object (104) from a patient . The apparatus includes a deflation tube (120) with a puncture member (112) at one end of the tube for piercing a hole in the object wall (106). The ap paratus includes a retrieval mechanism slidable within the deflation tube lu men. The retrieval mechanism includes an expansion element (134) that is exp andable when positioned within the object from a first configuration with a dimension less than that of the deflation tube lumen to a second or deployed configuration with a dimension that is greater than an outer dimension of t he puncture member. The expansion element contacts an inner surface of the i nflatable object as the deflation tube and retrieval mechanism are withdrawn from the body cavity. The expansion element may be a T-bar, a foldable anch or, an inflatable member, or another expandable form.