Devices and methods for treatment of obesity

Abstract

Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a portion of the expandable member is anchored relative to at least one structure in the abdominal cavity, without piercing the stomach. The expandable member is expanded to an expanded configuration in a space in the abdominal cavity to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the stomach of the patient into the space; and compression of a portion of the stomach.

1 - 158 . (canceled)  
   
   
       159 . An implantable device for treatment of obesity, said device comprising: 
 an expandable main body member configured to be positioned adjacent a portion of a stomach of a patient, within the abdominal cavity of the patient; said expandable member being inflatable with pressurized fluid; and    an attachment tab extending from said expandable main body member.    
   
   
       160 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , comprising at least one said attachment tab extending from a superior portion of said expandable member.  
   
   
       161 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , comprising at least one said attachment tab extending from an inferior portion of said expandable member.  
   
   
       162 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , wherein said attachment tab comprises a material that encourages tissue ingrowth.  
   
   
       163 . The implantable device of  claim 162 , further comprising a border between said attachment tab and said expandable member, said border comprising a material that substantially prevents tissue ingrowth.  
   
   
       164 . The implantable device of  claim 159  comprising three of said attachment tabs circumferentially spaced about and extending from an inferior portion of said expandable member.  
   
   
       165 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , wherein said attachment tab comprises at least one structural member therein, said at least one structural member being deformable to facilitate passage through a small opening in a patient, and wherein said at least one structural member returns to an undeformed configuration upon entering the abdominal cavity to orient said attachment tab toward a structure in the abdominal cavity to attach said attachment tab to.  
   
   
       166 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , wherein said attachment tab is at least partially inflatable.  
   
   
       167 . The implantable device of  claim 159 , wherein said attachment tab comprises a self-expanding attachment tab that is deformable to a compact configuration for passage through a minimally invasive opening in a patient, and wherein said attachment tab self-expands upon entering the abdominal cavity.  
   
   
       168 . The implantable device of  claim 167 , wherein said self-expanding attachment tab comprises a self expanding wire frame.  
   
   
       169 . The implantable device of  claim 167 , wherein said self-expanding attachment tab comprises bands of resilient, self-expanding material.  
   
   
       170 . The implantable device of  claim 167 , wherein said self-expanding attachment tab comprises bows of resilient, self-expanding material.  
   
   
       171 . The device of  claim 159 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with said expandable main body member, said conduit extending proximally from said expandable main body member.  
   
   
       172 . The device of  claim 171 , wherein a portion of said conduit is sandwiched between layers of said attachment tab.  
   
   
       173 . The device of  claim 171 , wherein a portion of said conduit extends radially outward from said expandable member along said attachment tab.  
   
   
       174 - 184 . (canceled)