CONTROLLING PRESSURE IN ADJUSTABLE RESTRICTION DEVICES

• US 20090216255A1
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Adams, Thomas E., Overmyer, Mark D., Coe, Jonathan A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,034,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for regulating a hydraulic restriction system. In general, the methods and devices can allow for non-invasive pressure control using a flow control mechanism. The flow control mechanism can be disposed between an implantable restriction device and a fluid source and include an adjustable, variably-sized fluid communication member in fluid communication with the restriction device and the fluid source. The geometry of the fluid communication member can control a rate of fluid flow between the restriction device and the fluid source, thereby also regulating a rate at which a pressure of fluid within the restriction device changes. Alternatively, the fluid flow control mechanism can include a biasing mechanism that can control the rate of fluid flow between the restriction device and the fluid source.

Claims

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

an implantable restriction device configured to form a restriction in a pathway as a function of a volume of fluid contained in the restriction device; and

an adjustable flow control mechanism in fluid communication with the restriction device and configured to define a rate of fluid flow to and from the restriction device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable flow control mechanism has an adjustable geometry that defines the rate of fluid flow to and from the restriction device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow control mechanism is configured to be adjustable between a plurality of fixed positions, and wherein increasing a volume of the geometry increases the rate of fluid flow and decreasing a volume of the geometry decreases the rate of fluid flow

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a flexible tube disposed in a housing and in fluid communication with the restriction device, wherein a geometry of the flexible tube is configured to be adjusted by modifying an amount of fluid within the housing to thereby adjust the rate of fluid flow.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the housing is in fluid communication with an implantable port and the amount of fluid within the housing is configured to be modified through the port.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a fluid reservoir, wherein the geometry defines a rate of fluid flow between the restriction device and the fluid reservoir.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the geometry comprises a diameter.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the geometry of the flow control mechanism is configured to be adjusted through linear motion.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a pathway in fluid communication with the restriction device, wherein a geometry of the pathway is configured to be adjusted by adjusting an amount of an obstruction mechanism within the pathway.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a porous membrane.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a porous member disposed within a fluid-filled housing, wherein fluid in the housing is configured to regulate a rate of movement of the porous member through the housing to thereby regulate the rate of fluid flow to and from the restriction device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the porous member is coupled to a fluid source in fluid communication with the restriction device such that movement of the porous member through the fluid-filled housing is effective to cause fluid to flow between the fluid source and the restriction device.

13. A restriction system, comprising:

an implantable restriction device configured to contain a fluid and to form a restriction in a pathway corresponding to an amount of fluid in the restriction device;

a fluid source in fluid communication with the restriction device for receiving fluid from the restriction device to decrease the restriction and for delivering fluid to the restriction device to increase the restriction; and

an adjustable flow control mechanism disposed between the restriction device and the fluid source and configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid between the fluid source and the restriction device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the flow control mechanism has a diameter that is adjustable between at least two positions to regulate the flow rate of fluid.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein increasing the diameter increases the flow rate of fluid, and decreasing the diameter decreases the flow rate of fluid.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a pressured fluid reservoir, wherein the diameter defines a flow rate of fluid between the pressured fluid reservoir and the restriction device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the pressured fluid reservoir includes a cavity in fluid communication with the flow control mechanism and a mechanism configured to apply a biasing force to fluid in the cavity.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein fluid flows at a rate defined by the fixed diameter from the restriction device and through the flow control mechanism to the fluid reservoir when a pressure in the restriction device exceeds a pressure in the fluid reservoir.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a flexible tube disposed in a housing and having a diameter that defines the flow rate of fluid, wherein the diameter of the flexible tube is configured to be adjusted by modifying an amount of fluid within the housing.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing is in fluid communication with an implantable port and the amount of fluid within the housing is configured to be modified through the port.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a porous membrane.

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

implanting a restriction device to form a restriction in a pathway that corresponds to a volume of fluid in the restriction device, and the restriction device receiving fluid from and delivering fluid to a fluid source at a flow rate defined by a geometry of a flow control mechanism in fluid communication with and disposed between the restriction device and the fluid source.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising adjusting the geometry of the flow control mechanism to adjust the flow rate.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the geometry is increased to adjust the diameter of the flow control mechanism and increase the flow rate.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the geometry is decreased to adjust the diameter of the flow control mechanism and decrease the flow rate.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a flexible tube disposed in a fluid cavity, and wherein adjusting a geometry of the flexible tube comprises modifying an amount of fluid within the fluid cavity.