Devices and methods to treat a patient

• US 8,070,673 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael, Sheehan, Neil, Brommer, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US11/540,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 31, 600/37, 128/897, 128/898, 128/DIG.25
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0456 Surface features on the anchor, e.g. ribs increasing friction between the suture and the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks for applying suture anchors A61B2017/0409; for applying wound clamps A61B17/10; for applying ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0076 preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

Claims

1. A system adapted for inducing satiety in a patient comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

a porous structure on the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to the outside of a gastrointestinal organ or to an abdominal wall, wherein the porous structure comprises polypropylene mesh or a metal alloy; and

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body.

2. A system adapted for inducing satiety in a patient comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

a porous structure on the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to the outside of a gastrointestinal organ or to an abdominal wall;

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body; and

at least one electrode attached to the device body and adapted to deliver an electrical signal to the gastrointestinal organ.

3. A system adapted for inducing satiety in a patient comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

a porous structure on the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to the outside of a gastrointestinal organ or to an abdominal wall;

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body, wherein the inflatable structure includes an aperture and is inflatable by introduction of a fluid through the aperture;

an inflation tube adapted to introduce an inflation fluid into the inflatable structure; and

a valve connected to the inflation tube that is actuatable to modify the inflation level of the inflatable structure.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the valve is located external to the patient.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the valve is located internal to the abdominal wall.

6. A system adapted for inducing satiety in a patient comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration, wherein the device body comprises a metal alloy;

a porous structure on the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to the outside of a gastrointestinal organ or to an abdominal wall; and

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body.

7. A system adapted for inducing satiety in a patient comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration, wherein the device body comprises a shape memory alloy;

a porous structure on the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to the outside of a gastrointestinal organ or to an abdominal wall; and

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body.

8. A system adapted for attachment to an exterior surface of a gastrointestinal organ, or an abdominal wall, comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be fit through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

a coating on the device body, wherein said coating discourages tissue ingrowth; and

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the coating is a mesh.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a suture.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the coating comprises an electrode.

12. A system adapted for attachment to an exterior surface of a gastrointestinal organ, or an abdominal wall, comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be fit through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

a coating on the device body, wherein said coating encourages tissue ingrowth; and

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body.

13. A system adapted for attachment beside an exterior surface of a gastrointestinal organ, comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body; and

an anchor attached to the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to an abdominal wall, wherein said anchor is a mesh.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further comprises a suture.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the mesh encourages tissue ingrowth.

16. A system adapted for attachment beside an exterior surface of a gastrointestinal organ, comprising:

a device body capable of changing configuration from a relatively smaller-profiled undeployed configuration to a relatively larger-profiled deployed configuration, sized to be introduced through a percutaneous conduit when in the undeployed configuration;

an inflatable structure connected to or forming a part of the device body; and

an anchor attached to the device body to facilitate attachment of the device body to an abdominal wall, wherein said anchor has an inflatable portion.