Gastrointestinal prostheses having partial bypass configurations

Abstract

A system of components may be used separately or in combination to create partial bypass of food, stomach and intestinal secretions and digestive enzymes. The systems are designed to be modular so as to allow the physicians to quickly replace certain elements to tailor the amount of material bypassed, the restriction applied to food passage, and the origin and destination of bypass according to the patient's individualized clinical needs.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modular gastrointestinal implant system for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity by creating partial internal bypasses of food and organ secretions within the gastro-intestinal tract, the system comprising:
 an anchoring element configured for engaging an esophagus, the anchoring element having a docking feature;   a first gastrointestinal implant having a coupling feature for engaging and coupling with the docking feature of the anchoring element and sized and shaped to extend from the esophagus to the duodenal bulb;   wherein the docking feature and coupling feature are configured such that the first implant may releasably couple with the anchoring element to facilitate removal of the tubular implant; and   a second gastrointestinal implant adapted to extend from the stomach or the duodenal bulb into the duodenum;   wherein the first and second implants are adapted to partially overlap within the duodenal bulb.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring element is an expandable stent. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring element is a band and the docking feature includes one or more magnetic elements. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the docking feature consists of a hook or loop fastener element and the coupling feature consists of a complementary hook or loop fastener element that enables attachment of the first implant to the anchoring element. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the docking feature includes a first mechanical element and the coupling feature includes a second mechanical element, and wherein the first and second mechanical elements are adapted to interlock. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second gastrointestinal elements are thin tubular sleeves. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first gastrointestinal element is Y-shaped sleeve having a first end with a single proximal branch and a second end including at least a first distal branch and a second distal branch. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a second anchoring element adapted for securing at the gastro-intestinal junction and for coupling with both the first and the second gastrointestinal implant. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein a proximal portion of the first gastrointestinal element is connected to the anchoring element at the gastro-esophageal junction, the first distal branch is coupled to the second anchoring element, and the second distal branch is adapted to drain into the stomach. 
     
     
         10 . The modular system of  claim 1  wherein one end of the partial bypass element is connected to a multi-segment docking element at the gastrointestinal junction and other end of the partial bypass element extends farther down the duodenum. 
     
     
         11 . A modular gastrointestinal implant system for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity by creating partial internal bypasses of food and organ secretions within the gastro-intestinal tract, the system comprising:
 a first anchoring element configured for engaging an esophagus, the first anchoring element having a docking feature;   a second anchoring element configured for engaging a duodenum;   a first gastrointestinal implant having a proximal end including a coupling feature for engaging the docking feature of the first anchoring element and a distal end adapted to couple with the second anchoring element;   wherein the docking feature and coupling feature are configured such that the first implant may releasably couple with the anchoring element to facilitate removal of the tubular implant; and   a second gastrointestinal implant adapted to extend from the stomach or the duodenal bulb into the duodenum, the second implant adapted to couple with the second anchoring element;   wherein the first and second implants are adapted to partially overlap within the second anchoring element.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the first anchoring element is an expandable stent. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the first anchoring element is a band and the docking feature includes one or more magnetic elements. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, the method comprising:
 securing a first anchoring element to the esophagus, the first anchoring element having a docking feature;   securing a second anchoring element to the duodenum;   implanting a first gastrointestinal implant having a proximal end including a coupling feature for engaging the docking feature of the first anchoring element and a distal portion adapted to couple with the second anchoring element;   releasably coupling the coupling feature of the first gastrointestinal implant with the docking feature of the first anchoring element and coupling the distal portion with the second anchoring element;   implanting a second gastrointestinal implant adapted to extend from the stomach or the duodenal bulb into the duodenum, the second implant adapted to couple with the second anchoring element;   coupling the second implant to the second anchoring element, such that the first and second implants partially overlap within the second anchoring element.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the securing feature and the docking feature are each magnetic structures adapted for magnetically coupling the internal tubular implant to the external implant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the securing feature and the docking feature are mechanical element adapted to interlock without penetrating the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         17 . A gastrointestinal implant system for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity by creating partial internal bypasses of food and organ secretions within the gastro-intestinal tract, the system comprising:
 a first gastrointestinal implant having a feature for engaging and coupling within the esophagus, the first implant sized and shaped to extend from the esophagus to the duodenal bulb; and   a second gastrointestinal implant adapted to extend from the stomach or the duodenal bulb into the duodenum;   wherein the first and second implants are adapted to partially overlap within the duodenal bulb.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the anchoring element is an expandable stent. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the anchoring element is a band and the docking feature includes one or more magnetic elements. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the docking feature includes a first mechanical element and the coupling feature includes a second mechanical element, and wherein the first and second mechanical elements are adapted to interlock.