Method and system to restrict stomach size

• US 20070093861A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gil Vardi
• Original Assignee: Gil Vardi
• Inventors: Vardi, Gil
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/062 Needle manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/081 Tissue approximator A61B2017/1103, A61B17/8866 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints

Abstract

An implantable device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall includes a member. The member has a first end connected with respect to a first portion of the stomach wall and an opposing second end connected with respect to a second portion of the stomach wall. The member has shape memory properties and is adapted to move the first end towards the second end.

Claims

1. An implantable device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall, said apparatus comprising:

a member having a first end connected with respect to a first portion of the stomach wall and an opposing second end connected with respect to a second portion of the stomach wall, said member having shape memory properties and adapted to move said first end towards said second end.

2. An implantable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said member comprises at least one wire connected between said first portion and said second portion.

3. An implantable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said member comprises a biasing element urging said first portion towards said second portion.

4. An implantable device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said biasing element comprises one of a coil and a spring.

5. An implantable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said member comprises Nitinol.

6. An implantable device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first end of said member is connected at an anterior portion of the stomach wall and said second end of said member is connected at an opposing posterior portion of the stomach wall.

7. An implantable device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a first fastener connecting said first end of said member to the first portion of the stomach wall; and

a second fastener connecting said second end of said member to the second portion of the stomach wall.

8. An implantable device in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said first fastener and said second fastener extends at least partially through a thickness of the stomach wall.

9. An implantable device in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said first fastener and said second fastener comprises at least one of a needle, a hook, a staple and a suture.

10. An implantable device in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said first fastener and said second fastener further comprises a plurality of extendable hooks, each extendable hook of said plurality of extendable hooks passing through the stomach wall and interfering with an outer surface of the stomach wall.

11. A system for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall, said system comprising:

a catheter comprising a passage extending therethrough;

a first member initially positioned within said passage and movable with respect to said catheter along a length of said passage;

a first fastener extending from a proximal end of said first member, said first fastener movable between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in said retracted configuration said first fastener at least partially disposed within said passage, and in a deployed configuration said first fastener attached to a first portion of the stomach wall;

a second member initially positioned within said passage and movable with respect to said catheter along a length of said passage;

a second fastener connected to a proximal end of said second member, said second fastener movable between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in said retracted configuration said second fastener at least partially disposed within said passage, and in a deployed configuration said second fastener attached to a second portion of the stomach wall.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a retainer configured to move said first fastener toward said second fastener and restrict the cross-sectional area of the cavity when said first fastener and said second fastener are in said deployed configuration.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said first member and said second member is independently translatable with respect to a length of said catheter to move one of said first fastener and said second fastener in said deployed configuration with respect to a center point of the cross-sectional area of the cavity.

14. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first fastener is attached to the stomach wall at a first position radially offset with respect to a second position of said second fastener on the stomach wall.

15. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein, in said deployed configuration, each of said first fastener and said second fastener extends through the stomach wall and contacts an outer surface of the stomach wall.

16. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said first fastener and said second fastener comprises at least one of a needle, a hook, a staple and a suture.

17. A system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a first magnet positioned with respect to said first fastener and a second magnet positioned with respect to said second fastener, said first magnet and said second magnet configured to move said first fastener toward said second fastener and restrict the cross-sectional area of the cavity when said first fastener and said second fastener are in said deployed configuration.

19. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

inserting a catheter into the cavity, the catheter initially housing the first fastener and the second fastener; and

removing the catheter from within the cavity upon attachment of the first fastener to the first portion and attachment of the second fastener to the second portion to urge the first portion towards the second portion, and restrict the cross-sectional area of the cavity.

20. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

inserting a catheter percutaneously through an anterior portion of the stomach wall;

attaching the first fastener to an opposing posterior portion of the stomach wall;

pushing a collar against an outer surface of the anterior portion to urge the anterior portion towards the posterior portion to restrict the cross-sectional area of the cavity; and

attaching at least one of the second fastener, a suture and a clip to the anterior portion.

18. A method for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall, said method comprising:

attaching a first fastener to a first portion of the stomach wall;

attaching a second fastener to a second portion of the stomach wall;

urging the first portion towards the second portion to restrict the cross-sectional area of the cavity; and

maintaining the first portion urged towards the second portion to secure the cavity in a restricted position.

21. An implantable device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall, said apparatus comprising:

an expandable member initially positioned within a catheter in a collapsed position; and

a sheath initially positioned about said member and movable along a length of said catheter with said catheter positioned within the cavity to expose said member, said member expandable to an expanded position to restrict the cross-sectional area.