Latching device for gastric band

• US 20070015956A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Crawford, Norman, Perry, Lauren, Swindon, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,416,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0066 Closing devices for gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45602 Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity

Abstract

A gastric band includes a band body having a first end and a second end. The band body includes a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is composed of a shell member at the first end of the band body and a collar member at the second end of the band body, the shell member and collar member being shaped and dimensioned for selective locking and unlocking in a manner creating a loop of the gastric band for positioning about a stomach wall.

Claims

1. A gastric band with a latching assembly, comprising:

a band body having a first end and a second end;

the band body including a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism being composed of a shell member at the first end of the band body and a collar member at the second end of the band body, the shell member and collar member being shaped and dimensioned for selective locking and unlocking in a manner creating a loop of the gastric band for positioning about a stomach wall.

2. The gastric band according to claim 1, wherein the shell member is generally composed of a hollow, half-moon shaped shell.

3. The gastric band according to claim 2, wherein the shell member further includes a tab for gripping and pulling through the collar member.

4. The gastric band according to claim 3, further including an aperture formed in the tab.

5. The gastric band according to claim 2, wherein the shell is resilient and compresses when passed through the collar member.

6. The gastric band according to claim 1, wherein the collar member defines a semi-circular shaped aperture shaped and dimensioned for the passage of the shell member therethrough.

7. The gastric band according to claim 6, wherein the collar member includes a tongue extending toward a tip of the second end.

8. The gastric band according to claim 7, wherein the tongue is distinctly colored providing a user with an indicator that the latching mechanism is properly fastened.

9. The gastric band according to claim 7, wherein the shell member is generally composed of a hollow, half-moon shaped shell.

10. The gastric band according to claim 9, wherein the shell includes an open, wide end into which the tongue passes after the shell member is passes through the semi-circular shaped aperture.

11. The gastric band according to claim 10, wherein the shell member is formed with a substantially M-shaped profile along the wide end thereof.

12. The gastric band according to claim 10, wherein the tongue is downwardly oriented such that it slides within the wide end of the shell member in a convenient and reliable manner.

13. The gastric band according to claim 1, further including a recessed portion formed at the first end of the band body, the recessed portion being shaped and dimensioned for receiving the collar member when the shell member has passed therethrough.

14. The gastric band according to claim 1, wherein the collar member includes a forward facing gripping member shaped and dimensioned to receive and center the shell member as it passes through the collar member and provide a surface for gripping the collar member.

15. The gastric band according to claim 1, wherein the shell member is formed with a substantially M-shaped profile.

16. The gastric band according to claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one gripping member shaped and dimensioned to permit dual directional access for locking and unlocking of the latching mechanism.

17. A gastric band, comprising:

a band body having a first end and a second end;

the band body including a latching mechanism composed of a first latching member at the first end of the band body and a second latching member at the second end of the band body, the first latching member functions as both a male component and female component during operation of the latching mechanism and the second latching member functions as both a male component and female component during operation of the latching mechanism.

18. The gastric band according to claim 17, wherein the first latching member is a shell member and the second latching member is a collar member, the shell member functioning as a male component during insertion through the collar member and a female component thereafter.

19. The gastric band according to claim 18, wherein the shell member is generally composed of a hollow, half-moon shaped shell.

20. The gastric band according to claim 19, wherein the shell member further includes a tab for gripping and pulling through the collar member.

21. The gastric band according to claim 20, further including an aperture formed in the tab.

22. The gastric band according to claim 19, wherein the shell is resilient and compresses when passed through the collar member.

23. The gastric band according to claim 18, wherein the collar member defines a semi-circular shaped aperture shaped and dimensioned for the passage of the shell member therethrough.

24. The gastric band according to claim 23, wherein the collar member includes a tongue extending toward a tip of the second end.

25. The gastric band according to claim 24, wherein the tongue is distinctly colored providing a user with an indicator that the latching mechanism is properly fastened.

26. The gastric band according to claim 24, wherein the shell member is generally composed of a hollow, half-moon shaped shell.

27. The gastric band according to claim 26, wherein the shell includes an open, wide end into which the tongue passes after the shell member is passes through the semi-circular shaped aperture.

28. The gastric band according to claim 27, wherein the shell member is formed with a substantially M-shaped profile along the wide end thereof.

29. The gastric band according to claim 27, wherein the tongue is downwardly oriented such that it slides within the wide end of the shell member in a convenient and reliable manner.

30. The gastric band according to claim 18, further including a recessed portion formed at the first end of the band body, the recessed portion being shaped and dimensioned for receiving the collar member when the shell member has passed therethrough.

31. The gastric band according to claim 18, wherein the collar member includes a forward facing guide member shaped and dimensioned to receive and center the shell member as it passes through the collar member.

32. The gastric band according to claim 18, wherein the shell member is formed with a substantially M-shaped profile.

33. The gastric band according to claim 17, wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one gripping member shaped and dimensioned to permit dual directional access for locking and unlocking of the latching mechanism.