Self-sealing fluid joint for use with a gastric band

• US 8,961,394 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery US, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Honaryar, Babak, Snow, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): KUHLMAN, CATHERINE BURK
• Application Number:
  US13/332,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20130158343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 600/37, 13724711-24751, 137/384, 128/120, 128/126, 128/155, 285 10- 11, 285/80, 285 95-113, 285405-416, 606151-158
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/003 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0056 using injection ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0255 for access to the gastric or digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0276 for introducing or removing fluids into or out of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a mechanical interlock joint geometry for various components and joining of components thereby creating a reliable seal against fluid leaks that is resistant at typical pressures experienced when the components are implanted into a human body. Furthermore, the seal may be enhanced when a fluid pressure exerted inside the components is increased (e.g., from 1 to 10 psi).

Claims

1. A gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the gastric banding system comprising:

a gastric band having an inflatable portion configured to constrict a stomach of a patient;

an access port coupled to the gastric band for insertion of fluid to or removal of fluid from the inflatable portion of the gastric band to adjust the constriction of the inflatable portion of the gastric band about the stomach of the patient;

a fluid reservoir for holding fluid and connected between the gastric band and the access port, the fluid reservoir including a first end and a second end, the fluid reservoir having a first male half and a first female half, the first male half extending from a first outer end to a first inner end and the first female half extending from a second outer end to a second inner end,

the first male half of unitary construction having a first ring and a first flange, the first ring having a first side that faces the first flange and having a second side opposite the first side that faces the first outer end, the first flange located at the first inner end of the first male half and the first ring spaced between the first flange and the first outer end, and

the first female half defining a first circumferential groove for receiving the first ring and for surrounding the first and second sides of the first ring, and further defining a first annular wall facing the second outer end that seals with the first flange,

wherein when the first ring extends into and is surrounded by the first groove, and when the first annular wall seals with the first flange, physical interference between the first ring and the first groove and between the first flange and the first annular wall cause the first male half and the first female half to form a first interlock therebetween;

a first tube for carrying fluid between the inflatable portion of the gastric band and the fluid reservoir, the first tube having a first end connected to the inflatable portion of the gastric band and a second end connected to the first end of the fluid reservoir; and

a second tube for carrying fluid between the access port and the fluid reservoir, the second tube having a first end connected to the second end of the fluid reservoir and a second end connected to the access port,

wherein the first interlock creates a fluid tight seal.

2. The gastric banding system of claim 1 wherein when the first male half and the first female half are interlocked, the fluid reservoir is self-sealed.

3. The gastric banding system of claim 1 wherein the fluid reservoir defines three fluidly coupled sub-reservoirs when the first male half and the first female half are interlocked.

4. The gastric banding system of claim 3 wherein a first and a second sub-reservoir are defined by the first male half and the third sub-reservoir is defined by the first female half.

5. The gastric banding system of claim 4 wherein the second sub-reservoir is located between the first sub-reservoir and the third sub-reservoir.

6. The gastric banding system of claim 5 wherein when the second sub-reservoir is filled with fluid, a resultant force presses the first ring into the first groove and presses the first flange against the first annular wall further sealing the reservoir and preventing leaking.

7. The gastric banding system of claim 5, wherein the first flange extends into the third sub-reservoir.

8. The gastric banding system of claim 5, wherein the second sub-reservoir tapers from opposite ends.

9. The gastric banding system of claim 4, wherein the second sub-reservoir defines a cavity having an hourglass shape.

10. The gastric banding system of claim 1 further comprising a second interlock and a first sleeve, wherein the first tube is connected to the fluid reservoir via the second interlock and the first sleeve is overmolded on the second interlock, a portion of the first tube and a portion of the fluid reservoir.

11. The gastric banding system of claim 10 wherein the second interlock fluidly couples the first tube and the fluid reservoir and comprises a second male half and a second female half, the second male half having a second ring and a second flange, the second female half defining a second groove for receiving the second ring, and further defining a second annular wall for sealing with the second flange.

12. The gastric banding system of claim 11 further comprising a third interlock and a second sleeve, wherein the second tube is connected to the fluid reservoir via the third interlock and the second sleeve is overmolded on the third interlock, a portion of the second tube and a portion of the fluid reservoir.

13. The gastric banding system of claim 12 wherein the third interlock fluidly couples the second tube and the fluid reservoir and comprises a third male half and a third female half, the third male half having a third ring and a third flange, the third female half of the third interlock defining a third groove for receiving the third ring, and further defining a third annular wall for sealing with the third flange.

14. The gastric banding system of claim 1, wherein the first circumferential groove is defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and wherein when the first male half and the first female half are interlocked, the first ring extends into the groove and the first sidewall is adjacent to the first side of the ring and the second sidewall is adjacent to the second side of the ring.

15. A fluid reservoir for carrying fluid within a gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the fluid reservoir comprising:

a first half of the fluid reservoir of unitary construction including;

a first connector for fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to an inflatable portion of a gastric band,

a first housing coupled to the connector, the first housing defining a first sub-reservoir, the first housing extending to a first flat joining surface, and

a ring and flange coupled to the first flat joining surface, the ring and flange defining a second sub-reservoir, the ring spaced between the first flat joining surface and the flange, the ring having a first side that faces the flange and having a second side opposite the first side that faces the first flat joining surface; and

a second half of the fluid reservoir including;

a second connector for fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to an access port, and

a second housing coupled to the second connector, the second housing defining a third sub-reservoir, the second housing tapering to a second flat joining surface, the second housing further defining a circumferential groove for receiving the ring and for surrounding the first and second sides of the ring and defining an annular wall facing a direction opposite the second flat joining surface that seals with the flange,

wherein when the ring extends into and is surrounded by the groove, and when the annular wall seals with the flange, physical interference between the ring and the groove and between the flange and the annular wall cause the first half and the second half to form a first interlock therebetween.

16. The fluid reservoir of claim 15 wherein when the first half of the fluid reservoir is interlocked with the second half of the fluid reservoir, a fluid path is established between the first sub-reservoir, the second sub-reservoir and the third sub-reservoir.

17. The fluid reservoir of claim 15 wherein the first housing and the second housing are constructed out of rubber silicone and wherein the first connector and the second connector are constructed out of a metal.

18. The fluid reservoir of claim 15 wherein when the second sub-reservoir is filled with fluid, a resultant force presses the ring into the groove and presses the annular wall against the flange further sealing the fluid reservoir and preventing leaking.

19. The fluid reservoir of claim 15, wherein the flange extends into the third sub-reservoir.

20. The fluid reservoir of claim 15, wherein the second sub-reservoir is between the first sub-reservoir and the third sub-reservoir when the first half is interlocked with the second half.

21. A tube-to-tube apparatus for establishing a fluid path between a first tube and a second tube to allow the tubes to carry fluid within a gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the apparatus comprising:

a first sleeve of unitary construction including;

a first end overmolding the first tube,

an intermediate portion coupled to the first end, the intermediate portion defining a first sub-reservoir and having a first flat joining surface, and

a second end having a ring and a flange, the second end protruding from the first flat joining surface and defining a second sub-reservoir fluidly coupled to the first sub-reservoir, the ring spaced between the flange and the first flat joining surface, the ring having a first side that faces the flange and having a second side opposite the first side that faces the first flat joining surface; and

a second sleeve interlocked to the first sleeve, the second sleeve including;

a first end of the second sleeve overmolding the second tube,

an intermediate portion coupled to the first end of the second sleeve, the intermediate portion defining a third sub-reservoir and having a second flat joining surface for interfacing with the first flat joining surface, and

a second end of the second sleeve defining a circumferential groove for receiving the ring and for surrounding the first and second sides of the ring and defining an annular wall facing a direction opposite that of the second flat joining surface that seals with the flange

wherein when the ring extends into and is surrounded by the groove, and when the annular wall seals with the flange, physical interference between the ring and the groove and between the flange and the annular wall cause the first sleeve and the second sleeve to form a first interlock therebetween.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein when the first sleeve is interlocked with the second sleeve, a fluid path is established between the first tube and the second tube via the first sub-reservoir, the second sub-reservoir and the third sub-reservoir.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are constructed out of rubber silicone.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein when the second sub-reservoir is filled with fluid, a resultant force presses the ring into the groove and presses the flange against the annular wall further sealing the interlock and preventing leaking.

25. The fluid reservoir of claim 21, wherein the flange extends into the third sub-reservoir.

26. The fluid reservoir of claim 21, wherein the second sub-reservoir is between the first sub-reservoir and the third sub-reservoir when the first sleeve is interlocked with the second sleeve.

27. The fluid reservoir of claim 26, wherein the diameter of the second sub-reservoir is smaller than the diameter of the first sub-reservoir and is smaller than the diameter of the third sub-reservoir.