Apparatus for treating obesity by extracting food

• US 7,815,629 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspire Bariatrics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Altobelli, David E, Solomon, Stephen B, Ambrogi, Michael, Yeaton, Eric, Kamen, Dean, Klein, Samuel, Shike, Moshe
• Primary Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US11/191,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20050277900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,910 Days
• Field of Search: 604/318, 604/319, 604/540, 604/909, 604/332, 604/355
• US Class Current: 604/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/044 Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/004 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0076 preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/73 comprising sensors or indicators for physical values
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/772 operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/81 Piston pumps, e.g. syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/82 Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1053 Stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. A tube is positioned that passes through a patient'"'"'s abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a. a tube comprising

i. a distal end portion having a sidewall with a plurality of holes located therein, wherein said holes are sized and configured to facilitate drainage of food from the upper digestive system of a patient and out through the tube; and

ii. a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient'"'"'s abdominal wall when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient;

b. a first retention member attached to the tube to prevent dislodgement of the tube; and

c. a morcellation device at the distal end portion of the tube to grind and divide food into smaller pieces as the food enters the tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the morcellation device comprises a mechanical propeller and a housing or cage surrounding the propeller to protect body tissue from the propeller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is configured with respect to the tube so that the proximal end portion of the tube will lie substantially flush with the patient'"'"'s abdominal surface when the distal end portion of the tube is disposed in the upper digestive system of the patient.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube'"'"'s outer surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing or cage surrounding the distal end portion of the tube to prevent gastric mucosa from being sucked into the holes.