Self-adjusting mechanical gastric band
First Claim
1. A mechanically self-adjusting, gastric band, which when banded assumes a ring configuration, the band constructed to be banded about a fundus, the self-adjusting gastric band comprising:
- a movable member, moveable in a radial direction when the band is in the ring configuration, for contacting the fundus; and
a spring biasing member for applying a substantially constant force in a radially inward direction to the moveable member, the biasing member automatically moving the movable member in the radially inward direction relative to the ring configuration, wherein the movable member self-adjusts radially in response to the biasing force applied by the spring biasing member as the fundus adjusts in size.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-adjusting gastric band applies a substantially constant force to a patient'"'"'s fundus in order to facilitate weight control. The self-adjusting gastric band is capable of automatically relaxing and contracting in response to changes in the patient'"'"'s fundus or in response to a large bolus passing through the patient'"'"'s fundus that is constricted by the gastric band. The self-adjusting gastric band is automatically adjustable without hydraulic fluid and without external physician intervention. The self-adjusting gastric band comprises a movable member and a biasing mechanism coupled to the movable member to facilitate applying the substantially constant force against the fundus as the fundus changes size, shape and/or position.
539 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A mechanically self-adjusting, gastric band, which when banded assumes a ring configuration, the band constructed to be banded about a fundus, the self-adjusting gastric band comprising:
-
a movable member, moveable in a radial direction when the band is in the ring configuration, for contacting the fundus; and a spring biasing member for applying a substantially constant force in a radially inward direction to the moveable member, the biasing member automatically moving the movable member in the radially inward direction relative to the ring configuration, wherein the movable member self-adjusts radially in response to the biasing force applied by the spring biasing member as the fundus adjusts in size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A mechanically self-adjusting, gastric band, which when banded assumes a ring configuration in which the band has a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the band constructed to be banded about a fundus, the self-adjusting gastric band comprising:
-
a lobe, extending from the radially inner surface and moveable in a radial direction when the band is in the ring configuration, for contacting the fundus, wherein the lobe includes i. a rolling diaphragm coupled to the radially inner surface of the band; ii. a cup disposed between the diaphragm and the radially inner surface of the band; iii. a near-constant force compression spring disposed within the cup and contacting the radially inner surface of the band, wherein the diaphragm, cup, and spring are constructed to move in a radial direction relative to the ring configuration, the spring constructed to apply a substantially constant force to the cup and the diaphragm, the near-constant force compression spring automatically moving the cup and the rolling diaphragm in the radial direction relative to the ring configuration, wherein the cup and the rolling diaphragm self-adjust radially in response to the biasing force applied by the spring as the fundus adjusts in size. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
Specification