Apparatus for treating obesity by extracting food

• US 20050277900A1
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspire Bariatrics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aspire Bariatrics, LLC
• Inventors: Klein, Samuel, Solomon, Stephen B., Shike, Moshe
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/044 Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/004 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0076 preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/772 operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/81 Piston pumps, e.g. syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/82 Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1053 Stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. A tube is positioned that passes through a patient'"'"'s abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube comprising

i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said distal end portion is adapted to automatically assume a curved configuration while it is positioned in an upper digestive system of a patient; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the tube has a funnel shaped tip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pump periodically operates in a reverse direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second retention member attached to the tube, wherein the second retention member is disposed on an opposite side of the abdominal wall from the first retention member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end portion of the tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing or cage surrounding the distal end portion of the tube to prevent gastric mucosa from being sucked into the holes.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing or cage is adapted to collapse when the tube is inserted in or taken out of the patient.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a morcellation device at the distal end portion of the tube to grind and divide food into smaller pieces as the food enters the tube.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the morcellation device comprises a mechanical propeller and a housing or cage surrounding the propeller to protect body tissue from the propeller.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are located on the sidewall in a spiral pattern.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size, and wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is at least 10 cm long.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are about 5×

7 mm in size and are spaced about 1-1.5 cm apart.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of intake tubes each having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein each intake tube comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and

b. an output tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and

c. a retention member attached to the output tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube,

wherein the plurality of intake tubes are configured to be disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient, wherein the output tube is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the plurality of intake tubes are disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient, and wherein the distal end portion of the output tube is operatively connected to the proximal end portion of each of the plurality of intake tubes so that food can be extracted from the upper digestive system of the patient through the distal end portion of each of the plurality of intake tubes and out through the proximal end portion of the output tube.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the intake and output tubes have diameters that are greater than 28 French in size.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the retention member is configured with respect to the output tube so that the proximal end portion of the output tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the plurality of intake tubes are disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the holes are located on at least one of the sidewalls in a spiral pattern.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the retention member is configured with respect to the output tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the output tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube comprising

i. a distal end portion that is at least 10 cm long having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said distal end portion is configured to be disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the distal end portion of the tube has a funnel shaped tip.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pump periodically operates in a reverse direction.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a second retention member attached to the tube, wherein the second retention member is disposed on an opposite side of the abdominal wall from the first retention member.

33. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end portion of the tube.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube.

35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the holes are located on the sidewall in a spiral pattern.

36. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.

37. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size, and wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

38. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the holes are about 5×

7 mm in size and are spaced about 1-1.5 cm apart.

39. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is adapted to automatically assume a curved configuration while it is positioned in an upper digestive system of a patient.

40. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube having a diameter greater than 28 French in size comprising

i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said distal end portion is configured to be disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is adapted to automatically assume to a curved configuration while it is positioned in an upper digestive system of the patient.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the distal end portion of the tube has a funnel shaped tip.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the pump periodically operates in a reverse direction.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

47. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a second retention member attached to the tube, wherein the second retention member is disposed on an opposite side of the abdominal wall from the first retention member.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube.

49. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the holes are located on the sidewall in a spiral pattern.

50. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.

51. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube, and wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

52. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end portion of the tube.

53. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is at least 10 cm long.

54. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the holes are about 5×

7 mm in size and are spaced about 1-1.5 cm apart.

55. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube comprising

i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said distal end portion is configured to be disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube,

wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is adapted to automatically assume to a curved configuration while it is positioned in an upper digestive system of the patient.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the distal end portion of the tube has a funnel shaped tip.

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the holes are located on the sidewall in a spiral pattern.

60. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the pump periodically operates in a reverse direction.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

63. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising a second retention member attached to the tube, wherein the second retention member is disposed on an opposite side of the abdominal wall from the first retention member.

64. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end portion of the tube.

65. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube.

66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that a position of the retention member is adjustable with respect to the tube to accommodate changes in thickness of the abdominal wall.

67. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the upper digestive system through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the upper digestive system through the tube, wherein the tube has a diameter that is greater than 28 French in size, and wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

68. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is at least 10 cm long.

69. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the holes are about 5×

7 mm in size and are spaced about 1-1.5 cm apart.

70. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube comprising

i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient; and

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube;

and

c. an actuating mechanism configured to bend the distal end portion of the tube into a curved configuration while it is disposed in an upper digestive system of a patient.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a Cope Loop.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the actuating mechanism bends the distal end portion of the tube to form an arc of at least 270 degrees.

73. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a Cope Loop, and wherein the actuating mechanism bends the distal end portion of the tube to form an arc of at least 270 degrees.