Methods and devices for maintaining a space occupying device in a relatively fixed location within a stomach

• US 6,981,978 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Satiety, Inc.
• Inventors: Gannoe, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US10/232,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20040044353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 606/153, 606/192, 600/207, 128/898, 604/103.02, 623/23.64, 623/23.65
• US Class Current: 606/153
• 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 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0036 Intragastrical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0076 preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves

Abstract

Methods and devices for maintaining a space-occupying device in a fixed relationship relative to a patient'"'"'s stomach by manipulation of the stomach. In one variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are brought into appromixation with one another and secured together in a manner that secures a space-occupying device within the stomach of the patient. In another variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are wrapped around a space-occupying device to maintain the position of the space-occupying device relative to the stomach wall. In another variation, a system having a space-occupying member and a locking member capable holding the space-occupying member against the inner wall of the stomach are provided. In a further variation, a pouch is created within the stomach that receives and retains a space-occupying device.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining a space-occupying device within a patient'"'"'s stomach, comprising:

creating a pouch within the stomach;

introducing a space-occupying device into the pouch; and

wherein the pouch is dimensioned to receive and retain the space-occupying device without physical attachment of the space-occupying device to the pouch.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the space-occupying device is an intragastric balloon.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of inflating the intragastric balloon.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the pouch is created by a gastric bypass procedure.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pouch is created by a vertical banded gastroplasty.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pouch is created by laparoscopic banding.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pouch is created by plication of the stomach wall.