Gastric Constriction Device

Abstract

A gastric constriction device ( 160 ) comprises a sheet ( 131 ) extending over part of the wall of the stomach ( 24 ). Five bands ( 151 ) extend around the stomach ( 24 ) to fix the sheet ( 131 ) in position relative to the stomach ( 24 ). The lower two bands ( 151 ) extend from the first side ( 152 ) of the sheet ( 131 ) around the stomach ( 24 ) only partially towards the second side ( 153 ). These lower two bands ( 151 ) are not fixed to the second side ( 153 ). This arrangement results in an unconstricted portion of the stomach ( 161 ). In this manner, the device ( 160 ) restricts expansion of the majority of the stomach wall while facilitating expansion of this unconstricted portion ( 161 ). The unconstricted portion ( 161 ) is therefore free to expand or bulge outwardly upon ingestion. This expansion may trigger the feeling of satiation due to the presence of the vagal nerves in this portion ( 161 ) of the stomach ( 24 ).

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A gastric constriction device for constricting the volume of a stomach, the device comprising a band for extending at least partially around a stomach in a spiral to constrict the volume of the stomach. 
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the band is a spiral band. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein at least one spiral turn at least partially overlaps an adjacent spiral turn. 
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the device comprises a fixation arrangement for fixing the band in position extending at least partially around a stomach. 
     
     
         23 . A device as claimed in  claim 22  wherein a first region of the band is configured to be fixed to a second region of the band to fix the band in position extending at least partially around a stomach. 
     
     
         24 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A gastric constriction device for constricting the volume of a stomach, the device comprising a bio-absorbable material for absorption of at least some of the material into the stomach wall over time. 
     
     
         27 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the device is configured for absorption of substantially all of the device into the stomach wall over time. 
     
     
         28 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the absorption properties of the material vary over the material. 
     
     
         29 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the material is at least partially of a laminate construction. 
     
     
         32 . A device as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the material comprises a first layer and a second layer, the first layer having a higher absorption rate than the second layer. 
     
     
         33 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A device as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the material is at least partially porous to promote tissue in-growth. 
     
     
         36 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the device comprises a band for extending at least partially around a stomach to constrict the volume of the stomach. 
     
     
         43 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A device as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the band is configured to be extended at least partially around a stomach in a spiral. 
     
     
         49 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A device as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the device comprises a fixation arrangement for fixing the band in position extending at least partially around a stomach. 
     
     
         53 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the device comprises a sheet for extending over at least part of the wall of a stomach to constrict the volume of the stomach. 
     
     
         57 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the device is configured to restrict expansion of a first region of a stomach wall and to facilitate expansion of a second region of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A device as claimed in  claim 57  wherein the material is configured to extend partially around a stomach to restrict expansion of the first region of the stomach wall over which the material extends, and to facilitate expansion of the second region of the stomach wall which remains uncovered by the material. 
     
     
         60 . A device as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the material is configured to extend substantially circumferentially partially around a stomach. 
     
     
         61 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A device as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the device comprises a fixation arrangement for fixing the sheet in position extending over at least part of the wall of a stomach. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A device as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the fixing arrangement comprises at least one band for extending from a first region of the sheet partially around a stomach to a second region of the sheet. 
     
     
         67 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the device comprises a gastric nerve stimulator. 
     
     
         72 - 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . A method of treating obesity comprising the steps of:
 constricting the volume of a stomach; and   stimulating gastric nerves.   
     
     
         101 - 102 . (canceled)