Mechanical Gastric Band With Cushions

• US 20100087843A1
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fridez, Pierre, Bertolote, Tiago
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands

Abstract

A system for regulating the functioning of an organ or duct generally includes an implantable band structured to at least partially circumscribe an organ or duct and an actuating mechanism operable to effect constriction of the band. The system further includes a plurality of incompressible cushion segments defining a substantially star-shaped inner circumference of the band, the star-shape effective to prevent pinching and necrosis of tissue during adjustment.

Claims

1. A system for regulating an organ or duct, comprising:

a band having a first end, a second end, a distal region and a proximal region and a connector configured to couple the first end with the second end such that the band is formable into a loop configuration structured to circumscribe an organ or duct;

a membrane disposed between the first end and the second end of the band;

at least one cushion segment coupled to the membrane and disposed on the proximal region of the band; and

a mechanism for enabling adjustment of an inner circumference of the loop configuration.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment comprises a plurality of cushion segments disposed on the proximal region.

3. The system of claim 2 further wherein the membrane defines a plurality of tension segments disposed in a substantially alternating manner between adjacent cushion segments.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is made of a substantially incompressible material.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is made of an incompressible material.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment comprises a single incompressible cushion segment disposed along substantially the entire proximal region.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the substantially continuous cushion segment includes thick regions and relatively thin regions disposed in a substantially alternating manner between the thick regions.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion member is located on an external surface of the membrane.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is molded to the membrane.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is molded to an external surface of the membrane.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment defines at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the band when the band is in the loop configuration.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is substantially incompressible.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the membrane includes at least one support wedge secured to the at least one cushion segment.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the membrane includes corrugated surfaces to allow unfolding of the membrane during adjustment.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of a first material and the at least one cushion segment is made of a second material having a different durometer than the first material.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one cushion segment is located on an internal surface of the membrane.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism comprises an interface connected to the band, and a control capable of communicating with the interface to regulate constriction of the band about said organ or duct.

18. A system for regulating an organ or duct, comprising:

a band having a first end, a second end, a distal region and a proximal region and a connector configured to couple the first end with the second end such that the band is formable into a loop configuration structured to circumscribe an organ or duct;

a contact region disposed between the first end and the second end of the band;

the inner circumference of the loop configuration having a generally star-shape defined by the contact region; and

a mechanism for enabling adjustment of the inner circumference of the loop configuration.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the contact region includes a plurality of cushion segments spaced apart by a plurality of tension segments.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of tension segments define vertices of the generally star-shape.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the contact region is structured to prevent pinching of the organ when the band is positioned around the organ and the inner circumference is adjusted.