Intragastric Prosthesis for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity

Abstract

A porous weave of bioabsorbable filaments having an open mesh configuration is formed into an oblate shape having dimensions greater than the esophageal opening and gastric outlet of a stomach. The resulting prosthesis is deployed in the stomach and is of a size to be retained in the proximate portion thereof for exerting pressure on the upper fundus. The prosthesis limits the amount of food that may be held within the stomach, and exerts pressure on the fundus to create a sensation of being full, resulting in weight loss.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising:
 placing into the stomach of the patient an empty porous oblate body formed of a weave of flexible, resilient filaments and sized for reception in a stomach, the body being formed of a stent of the filaments with opposite ends of the stent being reverted and secured together, wherein, as a result of the opposite ends being reverted and secured together, the filaments move into a configuration corresponding to the oblate body; and   actuating the oblate body for retention in the stomach so that, when deployed in the stomach, a size of the oblate body is greater than the esophageal opening and the gastric outlet.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the filaments are bioabsorbable so that the oblate body will pass from the stomach without surgical intervention after a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the time predetermined time period is between approximately three months and two years. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined time period is approximately six months. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of:
 inserting a loading tube into the esophagus to guide the insertion of the oblate body into the stomach.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of:
 advancing the oblate body out of the loading tube by a pushing mechanism, the pushing mechanism being controlled by a core wire extending to a proximal position located externally of the patient when deployed.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of:
 compressing the oblate body to a substantially cylindrical shape to permit insertion thereof into the loading tube.   
     
     
         27 . A device for treatment of obesity, comprising:
 an implantable body configured and dimensioned for insertion through an esophagus and having a body formed of a weave of filaments, the weave being configured to permit a predetermined flow of flow of fluids therepast;   wherein the body comprises a substantially oblong cylindrical shape extending from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends being brought rolled inward to a contacting configuration in which dimensions of the body are greater than dimensions of an esophageal opening.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the filaments and weave are shape-memorized to a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second ends are secured to one another by a suture. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second ends are secured to one another by a disk woven from the filaments. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the filaments are coated or impregnated with a treating agent. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the treating agent is one of an appetite suppressant and an agent to reduce gastric problems. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the filaments are formed of a bioabsorbable polymer configured for absorption a predetermined period of time after implantation. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the filaments are nonbioabsorbable. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a loading tube configured to receive the body therewithin in an first insertion configuration during insertion through the esophagus;   an advancing tube configured and dimensioned to advance the loading tube through the esophagus; and   a deployment element configured to eject the body from the loading tube and into the stomach so that the body assumes a second deployed configuration.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the body is configured and dimensioned so that, when in the second deployed configuration, the body is held adjacent to a fundus of a stomach. 
     
     
         37 . A device for treatment of obesity, comprising:
 an implantable body configured and dimensioned for insertion through an esophagus and having a body formed of a weave of filaments, the weave being configured to permit a predetermined flow of flow of fluids therepast;   wherein the body comprises a substantially oblong cylindrical shape extending from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends being brought rolled inward to a contacting configuration in which dimensions of the body are greater than dimensions of an esophageal opening; and   wherein the body is movable between a first insertion configuration through an esophagus and a second deployed configuration wherein dimensions of the body are greater than dimensions of a gastric outlet.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the body is configured to prevent interference with a passage of fluids and solids through the stomach and to the gastric outlet. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second ends are secured to one another by one of a suture and by a disk woven from the filaments. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the filaments and sutures are formed of one of a bioabsorbable and a nonbioabsorbable resilient polymer. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 an implantable body configured and dimensioned for insertion through an esophagus and having a body formed of a weave of filaments, the weave being configured to permit a predetermined flow of flow of fluids therepast;   wherein the body comprises a substantially oblong cylindrical shape extending from a first end to a second end, the first and second ends being brought rolled inward to a contacting configuration in which dimensions of the body are greater than dimensions of an esophageal opening.