Pyloric valve corking device and method

• US 6,994,095 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2003
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAROnova, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MedVenture Associates IV
• Inventors: Burnett, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/671,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 606/213, 606/192, 128/898, 604/907, 604/909
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12036 partial occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0073 in the abdominal cavity, e.g. not attached to the stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0079 Pyloric or esophageal obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0089 Instruments for placement or removal

Abstract

Pyloric valve corking devices and methods are described herein. The devices generally include an occluding member which expands from a first configuration to a larger second configuration and a bridging member extending from the occluding member. The bridging member has a length which passes at least partially through the gastric opening such that the occluding member obstructs the gastric opening, and wherein the length permits the occluding member to intermittently move relative to the gastric opening. A second occluding member may be attached to the distal end of the bridging member. The reduction in flow of gastric contents into the duodenum can be tightly regulated using a pump or valve. Otherwise, the flow can be passively regulated with the occluding device.

Claims

1. A method for intermittently obstructing a gastric opening, comprising:

positioning a first occluding member proximal to the gastric opening and a second occluding member distal to the gastric opening; and

maintaining a connection between the first occluding member and the second occluding member via a bridging member which is adapted to pass through the gastric opening such that the first occluding member obstructs the gastric opening and is retained by the second occluding member,

wherein the bridging member is further adapted to permit the first occluding member to intermittently move relative to the gastric opening.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising advancing the first and the second occluding members via a tubiAg member prior to positioning the first occluding member.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising ingesting the first and the second occluding members prior to positioning the first occluding member.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising self-expanding at least the first occluding member prior to positioning the first occluding member.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising self-expanding the second occluding member after positioning the first occluding member.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising self-expanding at least the first occluding member while positioning the first occluding member.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising self-expanding the second occluding member while positioning the first occluding member.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising expanding the first occluding member from a first configuration to a larger second configuration prior to positioning the first occluding member.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising expanding the second occluding member from a first configuration to a larger second configuration prior to positioning the second occluding member.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the first occluding member comprises expanding the first occluding member from a first configuration to a larger second configuration.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein expanding the first occluding member comprises inflating the member with a fluid.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising inflating the member with a visible dye or marker.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein expanding the first occluding member comprises expanding the member with an expandable foam.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein expanding the first occluding member comprises expanding the member with an expandable hydrogel.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein expanding the first occluding member comprises self-expanding the member with a shape memory alloy.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning the second occluding member comprises expanding the second occluding member from a first configuration to a larger second configuration.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein expanding the second occluding member comprises inflating the member with a fluid.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising inflating the member with a visible dye or marker.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein expanding the second occluding member comprises expanding the member with an expandable foam.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein expanding the second occluding member comprises expanding the member with an expandable hydrogel.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein expanding the second occluding member comprises self-expanding the member with a shape memory alloy.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein maintaining the connection comprises fluidly communicating between the first and the second occluding members.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising collapsing at least the second occluding member.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising removing the first occluding member and the second occluding member from the gastric opening.