Restrictive and/or obstructive implant for inducing weight loss

Abstract

Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.

1 . A system for inducing weight loss in a patient, the system comprising:
 an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach; and   a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extragastric space occupier is proportioned to cause the protrusion to fill a portion of the stomach, thereby causing the patient to feel full. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extragastric space occupier has in expandable within the stomach to an expanded volume in the range of 200-800 cc. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extragastric space occupier is proportioned to cause the protrusion to create a restriction in the stomach that will slow the rate at which food can descend from the esophagus into the stomach. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises at least one suture. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises at least one staple. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises at least one band positionable around the protrusion within the stomach. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the band is positionable encircling the protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the band is inflatable. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extragastric space occupier is inflatable. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extragastric space occupier includes an inflation port, and wherein the system includes an inflation needle extendable through the esophagus into the stomach, the inflation needle engageable with the inflation port. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the inflation port is extendable through an opening in the stomach wall. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the inflation port includes a resealable portion of the extragastric space occupier, and wherein the needle is extendable through the stomach wall into engagement with the inflation port. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including instructions setting forth a method for implanting the system, including the steps of:
 positioning the extragastric space occupier into contact with an exterior of a wall of the stomach, causing the wall to protrude inwardly into the stomach; and   coupling a retention device to the stomach so as to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the instructions set forth that the positioning step includes the step of passing the extragastric space occupier through the esophagus into the stomach, and then passing the extragastric space occupier through an opening formed in the wall of the stomach and into contact with the exterior of the wall. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the instructions set forth that the positioning step includes the step of passing the extragastric space occupier laparoscopically into an abdominal cavity and into contact with the exterior of the wall. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assisting weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:
 positioning an extragastric space occupier into contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach; and   placing a retention device in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the placing step places the retention device into contact with an interior surface of the wall. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the retention device comprises a band and wherein the placing step includes encircling the protrusion using the band. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the placing step includes the step of drawing portions of the wall into contact with one another and attaching a retention device to the wall to retain the protrusion. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the retention device comprises at least one suture or staple. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the extragastric space occupier is expandable, and wherein the method includes the step of expanding the space occupier to a volume sufficient to cause the protrusion to fill a portion of the stomach, thereby causing the patient to feel full. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the expanding step includes expanding the space occupier to a volume in the range of 200-800 cc. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the space occupier is expandable, and wherein the method includes the step of expanding the space occupier to cause the protrusion to create a restriction in the stomach that will slow the rate at which food can descend from the esophagus into the stomach. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the space occupier includes an inflation port, and wherein the method includes the step of passing an inflation needle extendable through the esophagus into the stomach, engaging inflation port with the inflation needle, and inflating the space occupier using the inflation needle. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the positioning step includes positioning the inflation port to extend an opening in the stomach wall. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the inflation port includes a resealable portion of the space occupier, and engaging step includes passing the needle through the stomach wall into engagement with the inflation port. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the positioning step includes passing the extragastric space occupier through the esophagus into the stomach, and then passing the extragastric space occupier through an opening formed in the wall of the stomach and into contact with the exterior of the wall. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the positioning step includes passing the extragastric space occupier laparoscopically into an abdominal cavity and into contact with the exterior of the wall.