Devices and methods for treatment of obesity

Abstract

A device for isolating tissue in the digestive tract including a biocompatible portion having a surface sized to cover the tissue to be isolated and also includes a plurality of micro-anchors attached to the biocompatible portion and extending from the surface, the micro-anchors sized to penetrate the mucosa of the tissue. A method for isolating tissue in the digestive tract in which an isolation element is delivered to a desired location in the digestive system; the isolation element having fixed thereto a plurality of micro-anchors. The method also includes attaching the isolation element to tissue at the desired location by causing the micro-anchors to penetrate the mucosa of the tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of isolating tissue in the digestive tract comprising:
 delivering an isolation element to a desired location in the digestive system, the isolation element having fixed thereto a plurality of micro-anchors; and   attaching the isolation element to tissue at the desired location by causing the micro-anchors to penetrate the mucosa of the tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element comprises a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element comprises a plurality of spaced apart cylindrical tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the isolation element comprises a proximal tube having proximal and distal ends and a distal tube having proximal and distal ends. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors are positioned about a proximal end of the isolation element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors are positioned at discrete locations along the length of the isolation element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element comprises silicone or polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element is bioabsorbable or biodegradable. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element includes an internal surface and wherein the internal surface is lubricious. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element comprises a wall having a wall thickness of between about 0.0005 and 0.015 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the isolation element has a length in the range of about 60 to 600 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of cylindrical tubes have a length in the range of about 2 to 8 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of cylindrical tubes are spaced apart by a distance in the range of about 1 to 4 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors have a length in the range of about 0.005 to 0.100 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors have a transverse cross-sectional dimension in the range of about 0.001 to 0.015 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of micro-anchors comprise about 500 to 3000 micro-anchors per square inch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors comprise stainless steel, Nitinol, or a polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors comprise protruding scales, the scales having tips that are oriented in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of tips of the micro-anchors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the micro-anchors are U-shaped having first and second ends oriented in the same direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of attaching the isolation element to tissue comprises expanding a balloon to place the isolation element into contact with the tissue. 
     
     
         21 . A method of isolating tissue in the digestive tract comprising:
 delivering a plurality of nanostructures to a desired location in the digestive system; and   attaching the nanostructures to tissue at the desired location.   
     
     
         22 . A device for isolating tissue in the digestive system from food traveling through the digestive system comprising:
 a biocompatible portion having a surface sized to cover the tissue to be isolated; and   a plurality of micro-anchors attached to the biocompatible portion and extending from the surface, the micro-anchors sized to penetrate the mucosa of the tissue.