Implantable device to protect tubing from puncture

Abstract

An implantable device used in a gastric band system includes an access port, a tube coupled to the access port, and a shielding device covering a portion of the tube. The shielding device is positioned adjacent to the access port and covers the end of the tube coupled to the access port. The shielding device is made from a puncture resistant material, to protect the tube from puncture by a misplaced syringe needle inserted by a physician.

1 . A shielding device for use to protect a tube from puncture that extends from an access port of a gastric band system for the treatment of obesity, the shielding device comprising:
 a substantially spiral-shaped body portion and an extended portion, the body portion configured to form a first wrap around the tube and a second wrap around the tube, the extended portion structured to cover at least a portion of the tube positioned between the first wrap and the second wrap, the body portion being made from a puncture resistant material and the extended portion being made from a puncture resistant material.   
     
     
         2 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the extended portion is integral with the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein a gap is formed between the first wrap and the second wrap. 
     
     
         4 . The shielding device of  claim 3  wherein the extended portion extends over the gap. 
     
     
         5 . The shielding device of  claim 3  wherein the gap has a substantially spiral shape. 
     
     
         6 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the extended portion has a substantially spiral shape. 
     
     
         7 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the shielding device is flexible. 
     
     
         8 . The shielding device of  claim 7  wherein the first wrap is configured to rotate relative to the second wrap. 
     
     
         9 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the extended portion is structured to cover at least a portion of the body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The shielding device of  claim 9  wherein a part of the extended portion extends from the second wrap and covers a portion of the body portion that forms the first wrap. 
     
     
         11 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the extended portion forms a hollow cavity having a substantially spiral shape. 
     
     
         12 . The shielding device of  claim 11  wherein a portion of the body portion is positioned within the hollow cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The shielding device of  claim 1  further comprising a spiral-shaped ridge that extends from the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the puncture resistant material of the body portion is-plastic, and the puncture resistant material of the extended portion is plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the shielding device has a first end having a diameter, and a second end having a diameter, and a middle portion, the diameter of the first end being larger than the diameter of the second end, and the middle portion having a tapered shape. 
     
     
         16 . The shielding device of  claim 15  wherein the second end includes a plurality of slits. 
     
     
         17 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the extended portion has a substantially flat outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The shielding device of  claim 1  wherein the body portion is configured to form at least five wraps around the tube. 
     
     
         19 . The shielding device of  claim 1  further comprising an overmolding of elastomeric material covering the body portion and the extended portion. 
     
     
         20 . An implantable device for use in a gastric band system for the treatment of obesity, the device comprising:
 an access port configured to attach to body tissue;   a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the access port; and   a shielding device covering the first end of the tube and having a substantially spiral-shaped body portion and an extended portion, the body portion configured to form a first wrap around the tube and a second wrap around the tube, the extended portion structured to cover at least a portion of the tube positioned between the first wrap and the second wrap, the body portion being made from a puncture resistant material and the extended portion being made from a puncture resistant material.   
     
     
         21 . A shielding device for shielding from and preventing needle puncture to a tubing for the conduct of a fluid, the tubing extending between and for providing bi-directional passage of a fluid between a subcutaneously implantable access port and a hydraulically inflatable portion of a gastric band, the gastric band intended for circumscribing a stomach of an obese patient, the shielding device comprising:
 a substantially spiral-shaped body portion and an extended portion, the body portion configured to form a first wrap around the tubing and a second wrap around the tubing, the extended portion structured to cover at least a portion of the tubing positioned between the first wrap and the second wrap, the body portion being made from a puncture resistant material and the extended portion being made from a puncture resistant material.