Releasably-Securable One-Piece Adjustable Gastric Band

Abstract

A releasably-securable gastric band having a tail end and a head end for receiving the tail end is disclosed. The gastric band also includes a releasable locking structure means that releasably secures the head and tail ends together. The tail end may include a tooth and the head end may include a notch for engaging the tooth. Upon insertion of the tail end into the head end, the tooth mates with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end. The releasably-securable gastric band includes a release tab. When force is applied to the release tab in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band, the tooth is disengaged from the notch to allow the gastric band to be released.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gastric band for positioning around a portion of a stomach of a patient in order to treat obesity, comprising:
 an inflatable portion;   a tail end connected to the inflatable portion;   a head end connected to the inflatable portion, the head end defining a buckle opening through which the tail end is received and extended as the gastric band is drawn through the buckle opening and into an encircling position, the head end having a release tab;   a releasable locking system adapted to releasably secure the head and tail ends of the gastric band in the encircling position, the locking system including,
 a sloped tooth formed on a portion of the tail end, 
 a notch in the head end for engaging at least a portion of the tooth, and wherein upon insertion of the tail end through the buckle opening of the head end, the tooth engages with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end, 
   wherein when the gastric band is in the encircling position with the tail end drawn through the buckle opening of the head end, the tooth is located between the tail end and the release tab, and the release tab is adapted so that application of force to the release tab in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band in the encircled position allows disengagement of the tooth from the notch and release of the tail end from the head end.   
     
     
         2 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , wherein the release tab is provided with an engagement hole. 
     
     
         3 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual securing indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The gastric band of  claim 3 , further comprising a window for providing positive visual indication when the head end and the tail end are releasably secured together. 
     
     
         5 . The gastric band of  claim 4 , wherein when the tail end is drawn through the buckle opening and into the encircling position, the tail end is not drawn through the window. 
     
     
         6 . The gastric band of  claim 4 , wherein the window and the buckle opening are in communication with each other. 
     
     
         7 . The gastric band of  claim 4 , wherein the notch, the window, and the buckle opening are formed by a common opening in the head portion. 
     
     
         8 . The gastric band of  claim 4 , wherein the window and the notch are longitudinally displaced from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The gastric band of  claim 4 , wherein the gastric band is releasably locked in place when a visual indicator appears in the window following insertion of the tail end into the head end. 
     
     
         10 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , further comprising a tactile securing indicator that is received through the window when the gastric band is in the encircling position. 
     
     
         11 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , further comprising an inflation tube in communication with the inflatable portion. 
     
     
         12 . The gastric band of  claim 11 , wherein the tail end comprises the inflation tube. 
     
     
         13 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping land, wherein the tooth is provided between the tail end and the gripping land. 
     
     
         14 . The gastric band of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable portion has a stomach-facing surface between the head and tail ends, and a first end with a first mating surface, and a second end with a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces of the inflatable portion are substantially negative images of one another, and when the gastric band is in the encircling position, the first and second mating surfaces butt together. 
     
     
         15 . A gastric band for positioning around a portion of a stomach of a patient in order to treat obesity, comprising:
 an inflatable portion having a stomach-facing surface, a first end with a first mating surface, and a second end with a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces of the inflatable portion are substantially negative images of one another;   a tail end connected to the inflatable portion;   a head end connected to the inflatable portion, the head end defining a buckle opening through which the tail end is adapted to be extend as the gastric band is drawn through the buckle opening and into an encircling position,   wherein when the gastric band is in the encircling position with the tail end drawn through the buckle opening of the head end, the first and second mating surfaces butt together to prevent overlap of the first and second ends of the inflatable portion.   
     
     
         16 . The gastric band of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second mating surfaces are substantially negative images of one another. 
     
     
         17 . The gastric band of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a releasable locking system adapted to releasably secure the head and tail ends of the gastric band in the encircling position, the locking system including,
 a tooth formed on a portion of the tail end, 
 a notch in said head end for engaging at least a portion of the tooth, and wherein upon insertion of the tail end through the buckle opening the head end, the tooth engages with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end. 
   
     
     
         18 . The gastric band of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a release tab at the head end, wherein the release tab is adapted so that application of force to the release tab in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band in the encircled position allows disengagement of the tooth from the notch and release of the tail end from the head end.   
     
     
         19 . A gastric band comprising:
 an inflatable portion having a stomach-facing inner surface, a radially-opposing outer surface, a first end with a first mating surface, and a second end with a second mating surface for contact against the first mating surface;   a gripping land formed on and extending radially outward from the outer surface;   a tail end connected to the inflatable portion; and   a head end connected to the inflatable portion, the head end defining a buckle opening through which the tail end is adapted to be extend as the gastric band is drawn through the buckle opening and into an encircling position.   
     
     
         20 . The gastric band of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a releasable locking system adapted to releasably secure the head and tail ends of the gastric band in the encircling position, the locking system including,
 a tooth formed on a portion of the tail end, 
 a notch in said head end for engaging at least a portion of the tooth, and wherein upon insertion of the tail end through the buckle opening the head end, the tooth engages with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end. 
   
     
     
         21 . The gastric band of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a release tab at the head end, wherein the release tab is adapted so that application of force to the release tab in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band in the encircled position allows disengagement of the tooth from the notch and release of the tail end from the head end.   
     
     
         22 . The gastric band of  claim 19 , wherein the head end defines a window longitudinally displaced from but in communication with the buckle opening, wherein in the encircling position, the tail end is drawn through the buckle opening and is not drawn through the window.