Method for prevention of gastro esophageal reflux

• US 4,271,827 A
• Filed: 09/13/1979
• Issued: 06/09/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mentor Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Jean P. Angelchik
• Inventors: Angelchik, Jean P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spear, Jr., Frank A.
• Application Number:
  US06/075,270
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1, 128/1 R, 128/334 R, 128/325, 128/95, 128/346, 128/96, 128/DIG. 23, 128/DIG. 25
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/044 Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets

Abstract

A method for preventing gastro esophageal reflux when the gastro esophageal junction is positioned above the diaphragm. The method comprises positioning a generally C-shaped cushion prosthesis about the distal esophagus, adjusting the free ends of the prosthesis at a spacing to permit normal expansion of the esophagus during swallowing and fixing the free ends of the prosthesis in the adjusted position to maintain the prosthesis in operative position around the distal esophagus adjacent to the gastric fundus when the gastro esophageal junction is positioned above the diaphragm and to maintain the adjusted spacing of the free ends. The inside diameter of the prosthesis generally corresponds to the normal outside diameter of the distal esophagus, and the C-shaped member is deformable to permit adjustment of the spacing of the free ends at a selected distance.

Claims

1. A method for preventing gastro esophageal reflux when the gastro esophageal junction is positioned above the diaphragm, said method comprising:

(a) positioning a generally C-shaped cushion prosthesis around the distal esophagus, the inside diameter of said prosthesis generally corresponding to the normal outside diameter of the distal esophagus, said C-shaped member being deformable to permit adjustment of the spacing of the free ends thereof at a selected distance;

(b) adjusting said free ends of said prosthesis at a spacing to permit normal expansion of the esophagus during swallowing; and

(c) fixing said free ends of said prosthesis in said adjusted position to maintain said C-shaped cushion prosthesis in operative position around the distal esophagus generally adjacent to the gastric fundus when the gastro esophageal junction is positioned above said diaphragm and to maintain said adjusted spacing of said free ends, said prosthesis being positioned above said diaphragm free of any sutures interconnecting said prosthesis with the human body.