Inflatable gastric device for treating obesity and method of using the same
First Claim
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1. A flexible-walled, imperforate, air-inflatable balloon insertable and inflatable within the stomach of a human or animal to deter ingestion of food by occupying a substantial portion of the stomach volume, wherein the improvement comprises:
- (a) said balloon having a plurality of wall portions that form smooth-surfaced convex outward protrusions when inflated,(b) said protrusions being distributed around the balloon and cooperatively defining a plurality of outwardly open channels for passage of fluent material between the balloon outer surface and the stomach wall, and(c) said protrusions being shaped and disposed to permit engagement of the stomach wall by the balloon only at spaced localities so as to maintain a substantial portion of the stomach wall away from contact with the balloon, for minimizing complications due to mechanical trauma of the balloon against the stomach wall.
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Abstract
A balloon insertable and inflatable in the stomach to deter ingestion of food and having, when inflated, a plurality of smooth-surfaced convex protrusions disposed to permit engagement of the stomach wall by the balloon only at spaced localities, for minimizing mechanical trauma of the stomach wall by the balloon.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A flexible-walled, imperforate, air-inflatable balloon insertable and inflatable within the stomach of a human or animal to deter ingestion of food by occupying a substantial portion of the stomach volume, wherein the improvement comprises:
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(a) said balloon having a plurality of wall portions that form smooth-surfaced convex outward protrusions when inflated, (b) said protrusions being distributed around the balloon and cooperatively defining a plurality of outwardly open channels for passage of fluent material between the balloon outer surface and the stomach wall, and (c) said protrusions being shaped and disposed to permit engagement of the stomach wall by the balloon only at spaced localities so as to maintain a substantial portion of the stomach wall away from contact with the balloon, for minimizing complications due to mechanical trauma of the balloon against the stomach wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of treating a human or animal having a stomach to deter ingestion of food, comprising inserting and inflating within the stomach a flexible walled, imperforate, air-inflatable balloon dimensioned to occupy a substantial part of the stomach volume and having a plurality of wall portions that form smooth-surfaced convex outward protrusions when inflated, said protrusions being distributed around the balloon and cooperartively defining a plurality of outwardly open channels for passage of fluent material between the balloon outer surface and the stomach wall, and said protrusions being shaped and disposed to permit engagement of the stomach wall by the balloon only at spaced localities so as to maintain a substantial portion of the stomach wall away from contact with the balloon, for minimizing complications due to mechanical trauma of the balloon against the stomach wall.
Specification