Implantable band with attachment mechanism

• US 20040267293A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Conlon, Sean P., Byrum, Randal T., Jambor, Kristin L., Crawford, Norman, Spreckelmeier, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30467 using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0083 using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0066 Closing devices for gastric bands

Abstract

An implantable band for placement around an anatomical passageway, such as the stomach or other lumen, has the inner surfaces at each end attached to each other in the operative position. One end may include a passageway through which the other end extends. A lateral member may extend from the surface at one end and engage the other end.

Claims

1. An implantable band for treatment of a medical condition, the band, comprising:

(a) a strap configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, said strap having an inner and outer surface;

(b) said strap including first and second end portions disposed at either end of said strap, said first and second end portions including respective inner and outer surfaces which correspond to said inner and outer surfaces of said strap; and

(c) means integral to said strap for attaching said first and second end portions together with said inner surface of said first end portion abutting said inner surface of said second end.

2. An implantable band for treatment of a medical condition, the band, comprising:

(a) a strap configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, said strap having an inner and outer surface;

(b) said strap including first and second end portions disposed at either end of said strap, said first and second end portions including respective inner and outer surfaces which correspond to said inner and outer surfaces of said strap; and

(c) an attachment mechanism configured to attach said first end portion to said second end portion so as to secure said inner surface of said first end portion abutting said inner surface of said second end.

3. The band of claim 2, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises at least one laterally extending member extending from said first end portion configured to engage said second end portion.

4. The band of claim 3, wherein said at least one laterally extending member defines a passageway, said second end portion being configured to extend through said passageway.

5. The band of claim 4, wherein said second end portion comprises a retaining member which is configured to cooperate with said at least one laterally extending member when said second end portion extends through said passageway so as to resist withdrawal of said second end portion from said passageway.

6. The band of claim 3, wherein said at least one laterally extending member includes a distal end, and wherein said second end portion is configured to receive and retain said at least one laterally extending member.

7. The band of claim 6, wherein said distal end of said at least one laterally extending member comprises an enlarged portion, and wherein said second end portion includes at least one opening which is smaller than said enlarged portion.

8. The band of claim 5, wherein said passageway has a width and a height, and wherein said retaining member comprises a tip and a base, said base being wider than said height of said passageway.

9. The band of claim 8, wherein said retaining member has an arrowhead shape.

10. The band of claim 9, wherein said base has a normal orientation such that said retaining member must be rotated from said normal orientation to align said retaining member with said passageway prior to disposing said retaining member through said passageway.

11. The band of claim 10, wherein said at least one pair of spaced apart members extending from said first end portion at it'"'"'s distal end, said spaced apart members defining a gap therebetween which is configured to receive said base in said normal orientation.

12. An implantable band for treatment of a medical condition, the band, comprising

(a) a strap configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, said strap having an inner and outer surface;

(b) said strap including first and second end portions disposed at either end of said strap; and

(c) means for attaching said inner surfaces of said end portions together.

13. An implantable band for treatment of a medical condition, the band, comprising

(a) a strap configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, said strap having an inner and outer surface;

(b) said strap including first and second end portions disposed at either end of said strap; and

(c) a device configured to maintain said inner surfaces of said end portions together.

14. The band of claim 13, wherein said device is carried by at least one of said first and second end portions.

15. An implantable band for treatment of a medical condition, the band, comprising:

(a) a strap configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, said strap having an inner and outer surface;

(b) said strap including first and second end portions disposed at either end of said strap, said first and second end portions including respective inner and outer surfaces which correspond to said inner and outer surfaces of said strap, said first end portion having a first distal end, said second end portion having a second distal end;

(c) a laterally extending member extending laterally from said inner surface of said first end, said laterally extending member defining a passageway, said laterally extending member having a first leading edge proximal said first distal end and a first trailing edge;

(d) said second end portion comprising a retaining member having a generally tapered shape terminating in a second trailing edge so as to be easily passed through said passageway to an attached position, said second trailing edge comprising at least one retention surface extending therefrom and positioned to engage said first leading edge when said second end portion is disposed in said attached position, said at least one retention surface cooperating with said first leading edge to resist withdrawal of said retaining member from said passageway.

16. The band of claim 15, wherein said at least one retention surface is inclined outwardly away from said second distal, and said first leading edge is inclined complementarily to said at least one retention surface.

17. The band of claim 15, wherein said second end portion includes a neck portion adjacent said retaining member, said neck portion having a reduced cross section relative to the band and retaining member adjacent the neck portion, said neck portion including a base configured to cooperate with said first trailing edge to resist said base portion being pulled through said passageway.

18. The band of claim 17, wherein said neck portion includes at least one angled surface which engages a complementarily shaped angled surface of said trailing edge.

19. The band of claim 17, wherein said neck portion is sized such that the neck portion is under tension when said second end portion is disposed in said attached position.

20. The band of claim 15, wherein said retaining member comprises a resilient element.

21. The band of claim 15, wherein said retaining member comprises a cavity.

22. The band of claim 15, wherein said laterally extending member comprises a tab extending therefrom.