ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT GASTRIC RESTRICTION DEVICES AND METHODS

• US 20090157106A1
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Krumanaker, David, Felder, Kevin, Marcotte, Amy L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0223 having means for anchoring the subcutaneous access site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0229 having means for facilitating assembling, e.g. snap-fit housing or modular design
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for adjusting the height of devices in a gastric restriction system. In general, the methods and devices allow one or more implantable housings coupled to an implantable restriction device to have an adjustable height. The housing can include, for example, a fill port housing, a sensor housing, and any other type of housing that can be used in an implantable restriction system and desired to have an adjustable height. The housing can lower in profile over time, e.g., as the patient loses weight, thereby maintaining the housing in a generally predictable location where it can be found and accessed.

Claims

1. A restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient, comprising:

an implantable restriction device configured to form a restriction in a patient; and

an implantable housing coupled to the implantable restriction device and having a height that is adjustable.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a fill port configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient for delivering fluid to the implantable restriction device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of fluid within the implantable restriction device and configured to communicate pressure data to an external monitor.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coupling element extending between a base of the housing and a body of the housing and operable to alter a distance between the base and the body to thereby adjust the height of the housing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling element comprises a fluid-filled chamber, and wherein a change of fluid volume within the chamber alters the distance between the base and the body.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling element comprises a compliant mechanism that is compressible to decrease the distance between the base and the body.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the compliant mechanism comprises a spring.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the coupling element further comprises a rack coupled to the compliant mechanism and including a plurality of teeth, and a pawl configured to engage the rack for maintaining the housing at a selected height.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling element comprises a collapsible structure.

11. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling element comprises a retractable cord.

12. The system of claim 5, wherein the coupling element is movable between at least two successive positions in which the housing has a height that lowers with each successive position of the coupling element.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the coupling element comprises at least one flexible tab extending between the base and the body and adapted to maintain the housing in at least one of the successive positions.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a depressible element adapted to be depressed to move the coupling element between at least two successive positions.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the depressible element comprises a button formed on one of the body and the base.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is at least partially formed from a bioabsorbable material operable to adjust the height of the housing over time.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the bioabsorbable material is selected from the group consisting of polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polyanhydride, and polyorthoester.

18. A restriction system for forming a restriction in a patient, comprising:

an implantable restriction device configured to form a restriction in a patient; and

an implantable housing coupled to the implantable restriction device and having a body and a base that are movably coupled to one another to allow a height of the housing to be adjusted.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the base is formed from a bioabsorbable material operable to adjust the height of the housing over time.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a coupling element extending between the base and the body and operable to alter a distance between the base and the body to thereby adjust the height of the housing.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the coupling element is movable between at least two successive positions in which the housing has a height that lowers with each successive position of the coupling element.

22. A method of forming a restriction in a patient, comprising:

implanting a restriction device in a patient to form a restriction; and

adjusting a height of a housing coupled to the restriction device and implanted within tissue to lower a profile of the housing.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein adjusting a height of the housing comprises adjusting a coupling element extending between a base of the housing and a body of the housing.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein adjusting a height of the housing comprises allowing the housing to biomedically degrade within the patient.