MINIMALLY-INVASIVE METHODS FOR IMPLANTING OBESITY TREATMENT DEVICES

• US 20090272388A1
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vibrynt, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vibrynt, Inc.
• Inventors: Bender, Theodore M., Makower, Joshua, Limon, Timothy A., Huss, Beverly, Newell, Matthew B., Uemura, Shuji, Acosta, Pablo G., Johnson, Dane A., Shiu, Brian K., Lee, Crystine M.
• Application Number:
  US12/473,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20090272388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/898
• 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 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• 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 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/349 Trocar with thread on outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0073 in the abdominal cavity, e.g. not attached to the stomach

Abstract

Tools, devices and methods for treating a patient. An incision or puncture is made though the patient'"'"'s skin and a delivery tract is made through an opening formed by the incision or puncture, subcutaneous fat and fascia, far into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity. A guide member is inserted through the delivery tract and a distal end portion of the guide member is positioned at a target location within the abdominal cavity. An implantable device is delivered with the aid of the guide member, and the implantable device is attached to at least one internal body structure. A fillable member of the implantable device is at least partially filled with fluid. The guide member is removed and an adjustment member is attached to a conduit in fluid communication with the fillable member. The attachment member is anchored to an internal body structure and the incision or puncture is closed.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient said method comprising:

making an incision or puncture though the patient'"'"'s skin;

establishing a delivery tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture, subcutaneous fat and fascia, far into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, but not through the stomach;

inserting a conduit through the delivery tract and positioning a distal end portion of the conduit at a target location within the boundaries of the rib cage;

delivering an implantable device through the conduit

attaching the implantable device to the inside of the abdominal wall;

at least partially filling a fillable member of the implantable device with fluid;

removing the conduit;

attaching an adjustment member to a fill tube in fluid communication with the fillable member and anchoring the adjustment member to an internal body structure; and

closing the incision or puncture.

2. The method of claim 1 performed without any insufflation.

3. The method of claim 1 performed without using general anesthesia.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is the only opening formed in the patient to carry out the entirety of said method.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device is attached to costal cartilage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable device is attached to fascia and/or peritoneum.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said implantable device is attached to abdominal muscle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjustment member is also used to close the opening in the abdominal wall.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the incision is made subxiphoid, midline.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the incision is made subxiphoid, to the patient'"'"'s right side of midline.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the incision is made in the lower right quadrant at the linea semilunaris of the patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said fillable member is positioned and maintained substantially underneath the diaphragmatic umbrella of the patient beneath the ribs, thereby preventing said fillable member from producing an unsatisfactory cosmetic result.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said establishing a delivery tract comprises advancing a guide member through the opening, subcutaneous fat and fascia, far into the patient'"'"'s abdominal cavity, but not through the stomach, and wherein said conduit is delivered over said guide member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said conduit is mounted on an obturator when said conduit is delivered over said guide member, as said obturator, together with said conduit are delivered over said guide member;

and wherein said obturator and guide member are withdrawn from said conduit prior to said delivering an implantable device through the conduit.