Devices and methods for treatment of obesity

Abstract

Methods, devices, tools and assemblies for treating a patient to effect weight loss. One method embodiment involves passing a device including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration and a buoyancy member through an opening in the skin of a patient and into the abdominal cavity of the patient, and anchoring at least a portion of the expandable member, relative to at least one structure in the abdominal cavity. Devices including at least one expandable member and at least one buoyancy member are provided.

1 - 77 . (canceled)  
   
   
       78 . A method of treating a patient, said method comprising the steps of: 
 passing an anchoring frame into the abdominal cavity of the patient;    delivering anchoring members, attached to the anchoring frame, through at least one structure in the abdominal cavity that the anchoring frame is to be anchored to, through the skin and out of the patient;    fixing the anchoring members externally of the abdominal cavity to anchor the anchoring frame to the at least one structure in the abdominal cavity;    passing a device into the abdominal cavity; and    attaching the device to the anchoring frame.    
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the anchoring frame comprises a buoyancy member and the device comprises an expandable member, said method further comprising expanding the expandable member.  
   
   
       80 - 171 . (canceled)