Gastric filler devices for obesity therapy

Abstract

An obesity treatment device comprises a filament filler material movable between a substantially straight insertion/removal configuration and an operative configuration in which the filament extends along a predetermined curve to occupy a selected volume within the stomach and a retrieval device connected to a proximal end of the filler material facilitating grasping and withdrawal of the filler material. A method of treating obesity, comprises inserting to a desired position within the GI tract a filament filler in a substantially straight configuration and moving the filler into an operative configuration in which the filler curves along a predetermined path to define a desired volume in combination with, after a predetermined treatment period has elapsed, collapsing the filler into the substantially straight configuration for trans-oral removal.

1 . An obesity treatment device, comprising:
 a filament filler material movable between a substantially low profile insertion/removal configuration and an operative configuration in which the filament extends along a large profile to occupy a selected volume within the stomach; and   a retrieval device connected to a proximal end of the filler material facilitating grasping and withdrawal of the filler material.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the filler material includes an elastic material biased towards the insertion configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the filler material comprises a shape memory material, wherein the operative configuration is a memorized shape of the shape memory material. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein in the operative configuration, the filler material forms a coil. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a containment device forming an expandable pouch and an opening for insertion of the filler material therein so that the pouch expands upon movement of the filler material from the insertion/removal configuration to the operative configuration and collapses upon withdrawal of the filler material therefrom.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the containment device comprises one of a flexible bag and a flexible net. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval device includes one of a handle, a tag and a tether coupled to the proximal end of the filler material. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible conduit insertable through the mouth and into the esophagus.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is inserted through a lumen of the flexible conduit, which resists forces exerted thereon by instruments inserted therethrough. 
   
   
       10 . An obesity treatment device, comprising:
 a hollow bubble having a shape that is one of substantially spherical and substantially ovoid, in an insertion/removal configuration, the bubble being sized to be slidably inserted through the esophagus and, in an operative configuration, the bubble being inflated to a desired volume within a stomach, the bubble including a flexible outer wall and a failure zone formed in the wall so that, when the bubble is subject to a predetermined stress, the wall fails along the failure zone; and   a handle being operatively connected to a proximal end of the polymer wall facilitating grasping and retrieval of the wall to draw the wall proximally.   
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the failure zone is formed as a spiral groove weakened with respect to other portions of the wall and directs tearing of the wall into an elongated tape. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is aligned with the failure zone so that proximally directed force applied to the handle causes the wall to unwind along the failure zone. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the failure zone is configured so that, after being torn therealong, the wall is sized for trans-oral withdrawal. 
   
   
       14 . A method for treating obesity, comprising steps of:
 inserting to a desired position within the GI tract a filament filler in a substantially low profile configuration;   moving the filler into an operative configuration in which the filler curves along a predetermined path to define a desired volume; and   after a predetermined treatment period has elapsed, collapsing the filler into the substantially straight configuration for trans-oral removal.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 inserting a retaining device to the desired position within the GI tract; and   inserting the filler into the retaining device so that an outer surface of the retaining device defines the desired volume.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the retaining device is one of a bag and a net. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the filler includes one of an elastic and a shape memory material and wherein the operative configuration is one of a deformed and a memorized shape of the filler. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 removing the gastric filler by grasping, with an endoscopically inserted grasper, a tab connected to a proximal end of the filler.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 inserting an overtube trans-orally into the GI tract, the overtube being movable between a straight insertion/removal configuration and a curved operative configuration; and   inserting the filler to the desired location via the overtube.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 inserting a catheter trans-orally into the GI tract to deploy and retrieve the filler and selecting a volume of the filler in the operative configuration to occupy a desired portion of the stomach.   
   
   
       21 . A gastric fill method, comprising steps of:
 inserting into the stomach a bubble including a failure zone formed in a wall thereof such that, upon application of a proximally directed retrieving force, the wall to tears along the failure zone;   inflating the bubble to a desired volume;   after a desired treatment period has elapsed, applying the retrieving force to the filler, tearing the wall; and   retrieving the torn wall trans-orally.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting and removing the bubble is performed using one of a flexible and a shape lock overtube. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the failure zone is formed as a spiral groove weaker than other portions of the wall, such that when torn along the failure zone, the wall unravels to form an elongated strip. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the retrieval force is applied to the filler via an endoscopically inserted grasping device.