Devices and systems for gastric volume control

Abstract

A gastric balloon includes a scaffold structure, one or more internal inflatable compartments within the scaffold structure, and one or more inflatable bladders formed over the space-filling compartment. The gastric balloon may be deployed transesophageally using a gastroscope and is inflated in situ, preferably using a combination of liquid and gas inflation media.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A gastric balloon positionable within the gastric cavity above the pylorus, said balloon having a constrained configuration that can be introduced into the gastric cavity and a deployed configuration that assumes an overall space-filling geometry with a curved longitudinal axis to maintain the distended shape of the gastric cavity in the feeding state, said balloon comprising:
 two or more inflatable compartments held in place adjacent to each other and together defining the space-filling geometry of the balloon in the deployed configuration, and   a valve structure coupled to one or more of said inflatable compartments, said valve structure allowing fluids to enter the compartment(s) and preventing said fluids from exiting such compartment(s); and   one or more filling tubes detachably coupled to one or more said valve structures through which fluids are delivered into the compartments from outside the body for deployment, and   wherein each of said compartments has an individual volume such that, after the deflation of any single compartment, the collective volume and dimensions of the balloon including the remaining inflated compartments and the valve structures prevent the balloon from passing through the pylorus.