RELEASABLY-SECURABLE ONE-PIECE ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BAND

• US 20090082793A1
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery US, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Birk, Janel A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0066 Closing devices for gastric bands

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.

Claims

1. An releasably-securable adjustable gastric band comprising:

a tail end;

a head end for receiving said tail end; and

a releasable locking means for releasably securing said head and tail ends of said gastric band in an encircling position.

2. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1 further comprising a tooth formed on a portion of said tail end.

3. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 2 further comprising a notch in said head end for engaging said tooth.

4. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 3, wherein upon insertion of said tail end into said head end, said tooth engages with said notch and releasably locks said tail end in said head end.

5. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 4 further comprising a release tab on said head end.

6. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 5, wherein application of force to said release tab in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band allows said tooth to disengage from said notch so as to allow the release of said tail end from said head end.

7. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1, further comprising a visual securing indicator.

8. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 7, further comprising a window for providing positive visual indication when said head end and said tail end are releasably secured together.

9. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 8, wherein said gastric band is releasably locked in place when said indicator appears in said window following insertion of said tail end into said head end.

10. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1, further comprising a tactile securing indicator.

11. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1, wherein said band is adjustable via hydraulic inflation.

12. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 11, further comprising an inflation tube.

13. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 12, wherein said tail end comprises said inflation tube.

14. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 12, wherein said head end comprises said inflation tube.

15. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1, wherein said band is mechanically adjustable.

16. The releasably-securable gastric band of claim 1, wherein said band is remotely adjustable.

17. A method of releasing a releasably-securable gastric band comprising the steps of:

grasping a release tab positioned on a head end of the gastric band;

applying force to the release tab in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the application of force causes a tooth portion of the gastric band to disengage from a notch portion of the gastric band to allow the release of the tail end from the head end.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of grasping a gripping land for holding the gastric band in preparation for said application of force step.

20. A method of forming a stoma in a patient comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a gastric band around the stomach of the patient;

inserting a tail end of the gastric band into a head end of the gastric band;

releasably securing the gastric band by drawing the tail end through the head end until an indicator formed on the tail end is visible in a window formed on the head end,

wherein the gastric band can be released by applying force to a release tab formed on the gastric band in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band.