Apparatus and method for intragastric balloon with in situ adjustment means

Abstract

An intragastric balloon and method of adding and/or removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The intragastric balloon includes a shell, a grasping tab, and a selfsealing portion. A gastroscopic instrument which includes a grasping tool is inserted into the stomach of a patient and used to grasp the grasping tab located on the surface of the shell. Using the grasping tool, the intragastric balloon is securely fastened to the gastroscopic instrument. A filling instrument, such as a needle, is advanced through the self-sealing portion of the shell for the filling or deflating of the intragastric balloon. After inflation or deflation is complete, the filling instrument is then withdrawn from the balloon and the gastroscopic instrument withdrawn from the stomach.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of adjusting the volume of an implanted intragastric balloon comprising the steps of:
 inserting a gastroscopic instrument into the stomach of a patient having an intragastric balloon implanted therein;   grasping the balloon using a specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument to grasp and capture the intragastric balloon;   advancing a filling instrument into a self-sealing portion located on a surface of the intragastric balloon;   adding fluid to or removing fluid from the intragastric balloon via the filling instrument;   withdrawing the filling instrument from the balloon; and   withdrawing the gastroscopic instrument from the stomach.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the self-sealing portion is a septum. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the self-sealing portion is a self-sealing surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the self-sealing portion is a slit valve. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the self-sealing portion is a self-sealing surface of the intragastric balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling instrument is a needle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implanted intragastric balloon has a grasping tab located on its surface for capturing the balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument has a grasping tool for capturing the grasping tab. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implanted intragastric balloon has a plurality of inflatable portions connected by at least one connecting portion having a self-sealing surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument has a grasping tool for capturing at least one of the inflatable portions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the balloon further comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument has a magnet for capturing the magnet of the surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the balloon further comprises a recess for accepting the specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the specially-adapted gastroscopic instrument is configured to fit into the recess. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intragastric balloon comprises at least one of diphenyl silicone, PTFE, silicone-polyurethane elastomer, HDPE, LDPE or parylene.