Satiation devices and methods

Abstract

A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.

1 . A gastroesophageal implant system, comprising:
 an implant;   a plicator endoscopically engageable with stomach wall tissue to form a tissue plication; and   an anchor adapted to be coupled to a stomach wall plication formed using the plicator, and to be coupled to the implant to retain the implant within the stomach.   
     
     
         2 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the implant and the anchor is a ring. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an endoscope extendable through a mouth of the patient and into the stomach, the endoscope operable to provide visualization of the implant and connector during implantation of the implant and the anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the implant is a ring and further comprises a mesh wall attached to the ring. 
     
     
         5 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant, when coupled to the stomach wall plication, defines a restricted flow path from a first stomach region proximal to the implant to a second stomach region distal to the implant. 
     
     
         6 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is a clip. 
     
     
         7 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the plicator is a vacuum plicator. 
     
     
         8 . A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:
 endoscopically forming a tissue plication within a stomach;   coupling a first implant to the tissue plication;   retaining the first implant within the stomach such that a first section of the stomach is proximal to the implant and a second section of the stomach is distal to the implant;   wherein food ingested by the patient flows from the first section to the second section.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first implant is a flow-restrictive implant, and wherein food ingested by the patient flows through the flow-restrictive device from the first section to the second section. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further including after coupling the first implant, coupling a second implant to the first implant. 
     
     
         11 . A system for limiting food intake by a patient, the system comprising:
 a flow-restrictive implant implantable within the stomach such that a first section of the stomach is proximal to the implant and a second section of the stomach is distal to the implant, the implant defining a flow path such that ingested food flows from the first section, through the flow path, and into the second section; and   a connector adapted to couple to tissue within the stomach, the connector engageable with the implant to retain the implant within the stomach;   wherein a portion of the implant is selectively moveable to alter the cross-sectional area of the flow path.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein implant is a tubular device defined by a wall, wherein the wall is band expandable to increase the cross-sectional area and retractable to decrease the cross-section area. 
     
     
         13 . A method of implanting a stomach implant, comprising the steps of:
 endoscopically coupling at least one elongate element to a stomach interior;   threading a proximal portion of the elongate element through a stomach implant; and   advancing the stomach implant over the elongate element and into contact with the stomach interior.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein coupling the elongate element includes coupling the elongate element to a plication formed in stomach wall tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method further includes endoscopically coupling a plurality of elongate elements to plications formed in stomach wall tissue, threading each elongate element through a corresponding anchor point in the stomach implant. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein threading of the proximal portion of the elongate element is performed outside the body. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the elongate element is a suture.