Duodenal gastrointestinal devices and related treatment methods

Abstract

An intragastric device includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and an anchor connected to the elongated member. The anchor includes a stem, a first arch and a second arch, and a curvilinear element. The stem includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the stem is attached to the proximal end of the elongated member. Each arch has first and second ends and a proximal peak therebetween. The first end of each arch is attached to the proximal end of the stem, and the second end of each arch extends radially away from the stem. The curvilinear element connects the second end of the first arch to the second end of the second arch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intragastric device comprising:
 an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end; and   an anchor connected to the elongated member, the anchor comprising:
 a stem having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the stem attached to the proximal end of the elongated member; 
 a first arch and a second arch, each arch having first and second ends and a proximal peak therebetween, the first end of each arch attached to the proximal end of the stem, and the second end of each arch extending radially away from the stem; and 
 a curvilinear element connecting the second end of the first arch to the second end of the second arch. 
   
     
     
         2 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the stem, the first arch, the second arch, and the curvilinear element are formed from a single piece of wire. 
     
     
         3 . The intragastric device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated member is formed from the same single piece of wire. 
     
     
         4 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear element includes at least one coil that loops around and substantially perpendicular to the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The intragastric device of  claim 4 , wherein the coil forms at least one complete loop around the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The intragastric device of  claim 4 , wherein a distance between the second end of the first arch and the second end of the second arch is greater than a diameter of the coil. 
     
     
         7 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first arch curves in the same clockwise or counterclockwise direction as the second end of the second arch. 
     
     
         8 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the first arch and second arch extend in substantially opposite radial directions. 
     
     
         9 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear element includes a pull loop extending proximal to the proximal end of the stem and between the first and second arches. 
     
     
         10 . The intragastric device of  claim 9 , wherein the pull loop is configured such that, when the pull loop is moved proximally away from the stem, the curvatures of the first arch and the second arch are reduced. 
     
     
         11 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the curvilinear element includes at least one counterarch, the at least one counterarch having a distal peak. 
     
     
         12 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein, in use within the gastrointestinal tract, the diameter of the anchor is larger than an opening through which the elongated member passes. 
     
     
         13 . The intragastric device of  claim 12 , wherein the opening is a pylorus. 
     
     
         14 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , wherein the arches and curvilinear element are configured to be unwound to form a straightened anchor for delivery or removal of the anchor from the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         15 . The intragastric device of  claim 14 , wherein the straightened anchor comprises two substantially parallel and straight wires for delivery or removal. 
     
     
         16 . The intragastric device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening element configured to fasten at least one portion of the anchor to another portion of the anchor to hold the shape of the anchor during use in the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         17 . A method of anchoring a treatment device within the stomach, the method comprising:
 advancing the treatment device through the pylorus and into position within the gastrointestinal tract;   positioning an anchor connected to the device in the stomach in a stowed configuration; and   expanding the anchor from the stowed configuration into a deployed configuration, the deployed configuration having a stem with a first arch and a second arch radially extending therefrom, the anchor in the deployed configuration having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the pylorus.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein, in the stowed configuration, the anchor comprises two substantially parallel and straight wires, the substantially parallel and straight wires forming the first and second arches in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising pulling proximally on a portion of the anchor in the deployed configuration to collapse the anchor back to the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the anchor is a pull loop connected to the arches. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the anchor further comprises a curvilinear element connecting the first and second arches together. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein pulling proximally on the pull loop causes the curvilinear element to move proximally past the first and second arches and pull the first and second arches substantially straight. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising locking the anchor in the deployed configuration with a fastening mechanism.