Stomach belt for weight loss

• US 20070078296A1
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mahmoud Sabri
• Original Assignee: Mahmoud Sabri
• Inventors: Sabri, Mahmoud
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0009 External belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5056 pneumatically controlled

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating obesity comprising an inflatable balloon attached to an inner portion of a belt. The belt is wrapped around an individual'"'"'s abdomen in the vicinity of the stomach. The balloon is inflated prior to consuming a meal and left in place for a certain period of time. The apparatus is then removed from the individual'"'"'s abdomen.

Claims

1. An external abdominal pressurization assembly useful for reducing food consumption in an individual comprising:

securement means for adjustably securing said assembly about an abdominal region of said individual;

an inflatable element constructed and arranged for adjustable engagement with said securement means, wherein said inflatable element is adapted to be positioned in juxtaposed relation to an individual'"'"'s stomach cavity; and

pressurizing means adapted to be fluidly coupled with said inflatable element for reversibly pressurizing said inflatable element;

whereby pressure is controllably applied to the individual'"'"'s stomach cavity sufficient to reduce food consumption by said individual.

2. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 1 wherein said securement means is a body member fabricated of flexible sheet material constructed and arranged to fit around an abdomen of a person.

3. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 1 wherein said inflatable element comprises a flexible-walled, imperforate, air-inflatable member.

4. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 3 wherein said flexible-walled, imperforate, air-inflatable member includes plural wall portions which conform to the shape of said individual'"'"'s stomach cavity upon inflation.

5. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 4 wherein said pressurizing means comprises a means for providing a pressurized air source, and means for fluidly coupling said pressurized air source to said inflatable member;

wherein upon inflation said inflatable member applies pressure to said individual'"'"'s stomach cavity.

6. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 5 wherein said pressurizing means comprises a pump fluidly coupled to said air-inflatable member whereby said inflatable member is pressurized to a desired pressure or dimension.

7. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 2 wherein said securement means comprises an elongate sheet, said elongate sheet having first and second end portions and first and second surfaces, said first surface is juxtaposed to the abdominal region of said individual when said elongate sheet is received around said individual and means to releasably attach said inflatable element to said first surface.

8. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 7 including fastening means constructed and arranged to attach one of said first and second end portions to said second surface.

9. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 8 wherein said fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener.

10. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 8 wherein the fastening means comprises snaps.

11. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 8 wherein the fastening means comprises a zipper.

12. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 2 wherein said securement means further includes a rigid member positioned adjacent said inflatable element and an outer portion of said securement means to direct pressure from said inflatable element to the individual'"'"'s stomach cavity.

13. An external abdominal pressurization assembly useful for reducing food consumption in an individual comprising:

securement means for adjustably securing said assembly about an abdominal region of said individual;

an inflatable element constructed and arranged for adjustable engagement with said securement means, said inflatable element is adapted to be positioned in juxtaposed relation to said individual'"'"'s stomach cavity;

pressurizing means fluidly coupled with said inflatable element for reversibly pressurizing said inflatable element, said pressurizing means comprises a pump;

said securement means comprises an elongate sheet of flexible sheet material, said elongate sheet has first and second end portions and first and second surfaces, said first surface positioned in juxtaposed relation to and surrounding said individual'"'"'s abdomen;

said inflatable element comprising a flexible-walled, imperforate, air-inflatable member including plural wall portions which conform to the shape of said individual'"'"'s stomach cavity upon inflation;

fastening means constructed and arranged to attach one of said first and second end portions to said second surface;

whereby pressure is controllably applied to said individual'"'"'s stomach cavity sufficient to reduce food consumption by said individual.

14. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 13 wherein said fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener.

15. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 13 wherein the fastening means comprises snaps.

16. The external abdominal pressurization assembly of claim 13 wherein the fastening means comprises a zipper.

17. A method of effecting weight loss by limiting the volume of food consumed at a meal comprising the steps of:

positioning an inflatable member juxtaposed an individual'"'"'s stomach on the exterior of the individual'"'"'s abdomen;

securing said inflatable member in said position;

consuming a predetermined amount of fluid;

pressurizing said inflatable member to a predetermined pressure;

consuming a meal;

maintaining said inflatable member in position for predetermined amount of time; and

removing said inflatable member.