FATIGUE-RESISTANT GASTRIC BANDING DEVICE

• US 20100324359A1
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery US, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Canada) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Birk, Janel
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0033 with more than one chamber
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/005 Gastric bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0066 Closing devices for gastric bands

Abstract

A fatigue-resistant inflatable gastric banding device suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient for the treatment of obesity and a method for such treatment are disclosed. The device includes a gastric band having a chambered inflatable member, substantially coextensive with an inner stomach facing surface of the band, that does not crease, wrinkle or fold when adjusted, so as to present a substantially smooth contour along the inner circumference, and to avoid fatigue or failure of the member itself. A gastric band having multiple inflatable compartments or chambers, which may be inflated together or individually is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A gastric band for the treatment of obesity suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient to create a stoma comprising:

a body portion or encircling the stomach; and

a multi-chambered inflatable member substantially coextensive with said body portion of said gastric band when said band is place around the stomach, wherein said chambers eliminate creasing, folding or wrinkling along an inner stomach-facing surface of said inflatable member, thereby reducing fatigue on the inflatable member.

2. The gastric band of claim 1, wherein said chambers are in fluid communication with one another and defined by at least one notch along said inner stomach-facing surface of said inflatable member.

3. The gastric band of claim 1, wherein said chambers are in fluid communication with one another and defined by at least one rib inside said inflatable member.

4. The gastric band of claim 2, further comprising at least one rib adjacent to said at least one notch.

5. The gastric band of claim 1, wherein said chambers are in fluid isolation from one another.

6. An gastric band comprising:

an inflatable shell having a plurality of chambers; and

at least one notch defining said plurality of chambers, wherein upon inflation of the gastric band, said chambers and said at least one notch eliminate creasing, folding or wrinkling of said inflatable shell, thereby reducing fatigue on the inflatable shell.

7. The gastric band of claim 6 further comprising a body portion affixed to said inflatable shell.

8. The gastric band of claim 7, wherein said chambers extend beyond the width of said body portion.

9. The gastric band of claim 6 further comprising a fill tube for inflation of said inflatable shell.

10. The gastric band of claim 7 further comprising a buckle for receiving a portion of said body portion to secure said gastric band in a circle.

11. The gastric band of claim 10, wherein said gastric band is releasably secured.

12. The gastric band of claim 6 further comprising at least one rib.

13. A method of treating morbid obesity comprising the steps of:

providing a gastric band having an inflatable shell including a plurality of chambers and at least one notch defining said plurality of chambers;

placing the gastric band around the stomach of a patient to be treated; and

inflating the gastric band to form a stoma.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the gastric band is placed around the stomach laparoscopically.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the gastric band further comprises at least one rib.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein upon inflation of the gastric band, the chambers and the at least one notch eliminate creasing, folding or wrinkling of the inflatable shell.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the gastric band is inflated with a pressurized fluid.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressurized fluid is saline.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the gastric band is inflated via a subcutaneous access port.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the gastric band is inflated via remote control of fluid transfer from a separate location.