Apparatus for stomach cavity reduction

• US 4,739,758 A
• Filed: 05/19/1986
• Issued: 04/26/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Criticare Systems, Inc. (Opto Circuits (India) Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Criticare Systems, Inc. (Opto Circuits (India) Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lynch, Wilfred, Lai, N. C. Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US06/864,426
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 R, 128/344, 604/265, 604/287
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0036 Intragastrical devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the size of the stomach cavity in humans. A collapsed balloon is packaged in water soluble material and releasably attached to a filler tube. The balloon is inserted into the cavity through the mouth and esophagus and pumped up to a desired volume through the tube after water soluble material packaging has dissolved and the balloon deployed. After stomach fluids also dissolve the releasing mechanism, the filler tube is removed from the stomach. The balloon remains in the stomach for the required dieting time. Its volume prevents the usual ingestion of food into the stomach by obese patients, causing them to feel full, and reducing the desire for food. At the end of this period a puncturing mechanism is introduced into the stomach, punctures the balloon, grasps it and the balloon is removed through the esophagus and mouth.

Claims

1. A balloon and balloon insertion and inflation assembly for use in stomach cavity reduction treatment, comprising:

(a) a collapsed balloon for insertion through a patient'"'"'s mouth and esophagus into the stomach cavity;

(b) said balloon having an inflation neck with an opening therein and a check valve in said opening for preventing gas from escaping through said opening once said balloon is inflated;

(c) tube means for introducing gas to said balloon through said opening and past said check valve to inflate said balloon;

(d) said tube means being releasably connected to said neck by first water soluble material means;

(e) said collapsed balloon being formed into a generally cigar-shaped package; and

(f) second water soluble material means covering said cigar-shaped package and said first water soluble material means.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further characterized in that:

(a) said first water soluble means is a strip of water soluble plastic material.

3. The assembly of claim 2 further characterized in that:

(a) said second water soluble material is a strip of water soluble plastic material wrapped around said collapsed balloon and over said first water soluble material means.