Releasably-securable one-piece adjustable gastric band
First Claim
1. A releasably-securable adjustable gastric band for the treatment of obesity suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient, and suitable for laparoscopic removal from said stomach, comprising:
- an inflatable portion;
a tail end connected to the inflatable portion;
a head end, connected to the inflatable portion, having an aperture structured to allow a first part of said tail end to be drawn through said aperture to position a second part of said tail end within said head end such that said head end encircles said second part of said tail end;
a releasable locking means including a tooth and a notch structured to engage said tooth to releasably secure said head end to said tail end when said first part of said tail end is drawn through said aperture, to thereby releasably secure said releasably-securable adjustable gastric band in an encircling position around said patient'"'"'s stomach;
a visual securing indicator of a contrasting color or texture;
a window through which the visual securing indicator is visible to provide positive visual indication when said head end and said tail end are releasably secured together; and
a release tab positioned on said head end and structured to allow said releasable locking means to release said tail end from said head end when a force is applied to said release tab.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasably-securable gastric band (12) having a tail end (10a) and a head end (10b) for receiving the tail end (10a) is disclosed. The gastric band (12) also includes a releasable locking means (20) that releasably secures the head (10b) and tail ends (10a) together. The tail end (10a) may include a tooth (14) and the head end (10b) may include a notch (22) for engaging the tooth (14). Upon insertion of the tail end (10a) into the head end (10b), the tooth (14) mates with the notch (22) and releasably locks the tail end (10a) in the head end (10b). The releasably-securable gastric band (12) includes a release tab (24). When force is applied to the release tab (24) in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band (12), the tooth (14) is disengaged from the notch (22) to allow the gastric band (12) to be released.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A releasably-securable adjustable gastric band for the treatment of obesity suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient, and suitable for laparoscopic removal from said stomach, comprising:
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an inflatable portion; a tail end connected to the inflatable portion; a head end, connected to the inflatable portion, having an aperture structured to allow a first part of said tail end to be drawn through said aperture to position a second part of said tail end within said head end such that said head end encircles said second part of said tail end; a releasable locking means including a tooth and a notch structured to engage said tooth to releasably secure said head end to said tail end when said first part of said tail end is drawn through said aperture, to thereby releasably secure said releasably-securable adjustable gastric band in an encircling position around said patient'"'"'s stomach; a visual securing indicator of a contrasting color or texture; a window through which the visual securing indicator is visible to provide positive visual indication when said head end and said tail end are releasably secured together; and a release tab positioned on said head end and structured to allow said releasable locking means to release said tail end from said head end when a force is applied to said release tab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification