Intragastric balloon system and therapeutic processes and products

Abstract

A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach features at least one inflatable space filler with drug delivery and stimulation features and includes therapeutic devices and anchoring apparatus enabling tracking, is and optimized management of inter-balloon connecting sections, drug reservoirs and pumping systems along with related improvements.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A system for treating obesity, the system comprising:
 a gastric space filler comprising a first balloon connected to a second balloon by a conduit, wherein the gastric space filler is configured to occupy a substantial volume of a gastric cavity in the human patient in an inflated state; and   an instrument throughput channel extending through the conduit, wherein the instrument throughput channel is configured to receive instruments.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the conduit comprises a first lumen in fluid communication with the first balloon, a second lumen in fluid communication with the second balloon, and a third lumen defining the instrument throughput channel. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the conduit has an axial length, and wherein the instrument throughput channel extends along the axial length. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the gastric space filler further comprises a coupling mechanism configured to facilitate engagement with a retrieval device for removal of the gastric space filler from the gastric cavity via the esophagus. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31  wherein in the first and second balloons are made from at least one of the following: silicone, latex, polyethylene, polyurethane, and nylon. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the conduit comprises an inter-balloon section spacing the first balloon apart from the second balloon, and wherein the inter-balloon section has a length of about 10-40 mm. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the first and second balloons each comprise a wall having an exterior surface, and wherein the system further comprises a drug coated onto at least a portion of the exterior surface of at least one of the first and second balloons. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the first and second balloons each comprise a wall, and wherein the system further comprises a drug impregnated in the wall of at least one of the first and second balloons. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a drug disposed on at least a portion of the first and second balloons, wherein the drug is configured to resist adhesion. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a therapy assembly coupled to the gastric space filler, wherein the therapy assembly is configured for at least one of drug delivery, mechanical motion, absorption inhibition, sensory function, nutrition delivery, and small bowel therapy, and further wherein the gastric space filler is configured to anchor the therapy assembly in the gastric cavity. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a delivery catheter configured to deliver the gastric space filler to the gastric cavity via an esophagus of the patient, wherein the delivery catheter is configured to receive the gastric space filler in a collapsed state. 
     
     
         42 . A gastric space filler system, comprising:
 a conduit having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is operably coupled to a first balloon and the second end is operably coupled to a second balloon;   a first lumen through the conduit, wherein the lumen is configured for fluid infusion into the first balloon;   a second lumen through the conduit, wherein the second lumen is configured for fluid infusion into the second balloon; and   a third lumen extending through the conduit, wherein the third lumen is configured for instrument throughput.   
     
     
         43 . The gastric space filler system of  claim 42  wherein:
 the first lumen extends from the first end of the conduit to the first balloon; and 
 the second lumen extends from the first end of the conduit to the second balloon. 
 
     
     
         44 . The gastric space filler system of  claim 42  wherein the third lumen extends from the first end of the conduit to a second end of the conduit. 
     
     
         45 . The gastric space filler system of  claim 42 , further comprising a coupling mechanism at the first end of the conduit, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured for instrument throughput into the third lumen and configured to couple to a delivery catheter and/or a filling tube. 
     
     
         46 . The gastric space filler system of  claim 42  wherein the gastric space filler system is configured for delivery through an esophagus of a patient to a stomach of the patient. 
     
     
         47 . The gastric space filler system of  claim 42  wherein the conduit is configured for attachment to a delivery catheter, and wherein the third lumen of the conduit is configured to receive an instrument passed through the delivery catheter. 
     
     
         48 . A method of treating obesity, comprising:
 delivering an intragastric space filler system via a delivery catheter through an esophagus of a human patient into a stomach of the patient, wherein the intragastric space filler system comprises a first balloon and a second balloon connected by a conduit, and wherein the intragastric space filler system is within a catheter sheath during delivery; and   filling the first and second balloons with a predetermined volume of fluid when the intragastric space filler system is in the stomach.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein filling the first and second balloons with fluid further comprises:
 infusing the first balloon with fluid through a first lumen extending through the conduit; and 
 infusing the second balloon with fluid through a second lumen extending through the conduit, wherein the first and second lumens are separate from one another. 
 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising passing an instrument through the delivery catheter to a lumen of the conduit, wherein the lumen extends from the a proximal end of the conduit to a distal end of the conduit. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 deflating the first and second balloons;   capturing a coupling mechanism of the intragastric space filler system; and   removing the intragastric space filler system from the stomach via the esophagus.