Methods and apparatus for regulating the flow of matter through body tubing

Abstract

A self-retracting body, which may have a bore, may be inserted into a biological passage. A dilating balloon may be used to expand the body toward an inner wall of the passage. The body may include an anchor that may engage the wall. The anchor may include a tip that is within the body before the body expands and extends away from the body during expansion. The body may include an opening that may receive a portion of the wall. The portion may be fixed to the body. The body may retract toward a central portion of the passage after the anchor engages the wall. The wall may be drawn toward the central passage and the diameter of the passage may be reduced. In some embodiments, a liner may be provided for the passage. In some embodiments, a baffle may be provided for the passage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of implanting and securing a device into a food passageway in a patient, the device including at least one deflectable member, comprising: 
 delivering the device into the passageway with the member at least partially deflected to a first geometry; and    releasing the member so that it conforms to a second geometry that is different from the first geometry.    
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the releasing comprises: 
 causing the member to penetrate a wall of the passageway.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein, when deflected to the first geometry, the member is resiliently biased to conform to the second geometry.  
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein, prior to the releasing, the member is substantially perpendicular to a wall of the passageway.  
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein the releasing causes the member to deflect from being substantially perpendicular to the wall of the passageway.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus for use in pulling in on a wall of a tissue passage comprising: 
 a first structure adapted for disposition in the tissue passage; and    a plurality of metal anchors coupled to the first structure and adapted to penetrate the wall to secure the first structure to the wall, the anchors being further adapted to have a first geometrical shape during delivery into the passage, and a second, different geometrical shape upon deployment into the wall.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein the anchors are resiliently biased to change from the first geometrical shape to the second geometrical shape.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein the anchors are further adapted to be more nearly perpendicular to the wall in the first geometrical shape than in the second geometrical shape.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein the anchors are further adapted to be, in use, substantially contained in the wall in the second geometrical shape.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein each of the anchors includes a sharply pointed, free end tip to facilitate penetration of the wall by the anchor.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6  wherein each of the anchors includes a barb structure configured to resist removal of the anchor from the wall.  
     
     
         12 . A method of pulling in on a wall of a tissue passage comprising: 
 delivering into the tissue passage a structure that includes a plurality of resilient anchors, the anchors having a first geometrical shape during the delivering; and    deploying the anchors into the wall to secure the structure to the wall, the anchors changing to a second, different geometrical shape during the deploying.    
     
     
         13 . The method defined in  claim 12  wherein the anchors are resiliently biased to change from the first geometrical shape to the second geometrical shape.  
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 12  wherein the anchors are more nearly perpendicular to the wall in the first geometrical shape than in the second geometrical shape.  
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 12  wherein the anchors are substantially contained in the wall in the second geometrical shape.