Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis

• US 20030078615A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transneuronix Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sintesi S.r.l. (Dierre SpA)
• Inventors: Cigaina, Valerio
• Granted Patent: US 6,908,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/04 Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; devices, other than stent-grafts, providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body other than stent-grafts, e.g. stents A61F2/82; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95

Abstract

The anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis comprises a body presenting a seat of substantially semicircular shape, means of engagement with the gastric wall of the stomach connected to the body through means of connection, and means of inflating the body for the variation of this volume to accentuate the angle of His (cardiac incisure) and to improve the natural valvular anti-reflux system.

Claims

1. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis characterized by the fact that it comprises a body presenting a sear of substantially semicircular shape, means of engagement with the gastric wall of the stomach connected to said body by means of connection, and means of inflating at least said body for variation of its volume to accentuate the angle of His and improve the natural valvular anti-reflux system.

2. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said means of engagement comprise at least two distal inflatable elements.

3. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said means of connection comprise small tubes to connect said inflatable elements fluid-dynamically with said body.

4. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said small tubes are made of material that is axially elastically pliable.

5. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said means of inflation comprise a container of a fluid for the simultaneous inflation of said distal elements.

6. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said inflatable elements are anchored in the distal antrum, substantially side by side, and at a distance from said principal body substantially equal to the length of said small tubes so that, during the inflation of said body, there is, also thanks to the elasticity of said small tubes, a restriction and an angling of the gastroesophageal tract, improving continence and impeding reflux.

7. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least said principal body comprises a reinforcement core capable of resisting tractive forces.

8. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said body and said distal elements can be removed without surgical intervention.

9. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said body and said distal elements are capable of working together with a gastric peacemaker [sic;

pacemaker] for the stimulation of the smooth musculature of the inferior esophageal sphincter, just for the gastric portion.

10. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said body present a median zone suitable for exerting pressure on the stomach only in the functional sense, mainly when the stomach is full of food.

11. Anti-gastroesophageal reflux valvular prosthesis according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said body and said distal elements are activated especially during the digestive phase.