Anchors and methods for intestinal bypass sleeves

Abstract

A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a pylorus, a duodenal bulb, and a duodenum of a patient's gastrointestinal tract includes an expandable structure includes a proximal portion having a plurality of spring arms and a distal portion having a plurality of spring arms, the proximal and distal portions coupled by a rigid central cylinder having a diameter capable of fitting within the pylorus and having a length greater than a width of the pylorus. A membrane is coupled to and covering at least a portion of one of the proximal portion and the distal portion of the expandable structure. An intestinal bypass sleeve is coupled to at least one of the proximal and distal portions of the expandable structure and having a length sufficient to extend at least partially into the duodenum. In the expanded configuration, the proximal portion has a diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter of the pylorus and further wherein, in the expanded configuration, the distal portion has a diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter of the pylorus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a pylorus, a duodenal bulb, and a duodenum of a patient's gastrointestinal tract, the device having a central axis and configured to have an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the device comprising:
 a proximal expandable structure including an inner proximal portion near the central axis and an outer proximal portion extending radially outward from the central axis and configured for engaging a first wall of the pylorus at a first location adjacent the pyloric antrum, the outer proximal portion extending distally such that, upon implantation, in the expanded configuration, the inner proximal portion is configured to minimize a compressive force exerted to the pylorus;   a distal expandable structure including an inner distal portion near the central axis and an outer distal portion extending radially outward from the central axis and configured for engaging a second wall of the pylorus at a second location adjacent the duodenal bulb, the outer distal portion extending proximally such that, upon implantation, in the expanded configuration, the inner distal portion is configured to minimize a compressive force exerted to the pylorus; and   a central cylinder portion coupling the proximal expandable structure and the distal expandable structure and having a diameter that is equal to or larger than a maximum diameter of the pylorus such that the central cylinder portion does not restrict flow through the pylorus;   wherein in the expanded configuration, the proximal expandable structure and distal expandable structure each have a diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter of the pylorus.   
     
     
         2 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal expandable structure comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         3 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 2 , wherein the compression spring comprises a toroidal-shaped coil. 
     
     
         4 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 2 , wherein the compression spring comprises a shape that consists of a round shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape or an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 2 , wherein the compression spring is configured to have a compressed shape and an expanded shape. 
     
     
         6 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 2 , wherein the compression spring is formed from a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 1 , wherein the central cylinder portion fits within the pylorus and has a through lumen that allows chyme to flow from a patient's stomach to the duodenum. 
     
     
         8 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 1 , wherein the central cylinder portion is rigid enough to hold the pylorus open. 
     
     
         9 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 1 , wherein the central cylinder portion is compliant enough to allow opening and closure of the through lumen within the pylorus. 
     
     
         10 . A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a pylorus, a duodenal bulb, and a duodenum of a patient's gastrointestinal tract and configured to have an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the device comprising:
 a proximal portion including a proximal facing opening extending radially outward forming a radially outward circumference and a radially inward circumference, the radially outward circumference located distally from the radially inward circumference such that the outer radial circumference contacts a wall of a pylorus and wherein upon implantation and in the expanded configuration a gap is defined between the inner radial circumference and a first wall of the pylorus;   a distal portion including a distal facing opening extending radially outward forming a radially outward circumference and a radially inward circumference, the radially outward circumference located proximally from the radially inward circumference such that the outer radial circumference contacts a wall of a pylorus; and   a central portion having a diameter and a length and located between the proximal portion and the distal portion and connected to the proximal portion inner radial circumference and the distal portion inner radical circumference.   
     
     
         11 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal portion and distal portion are configured to have an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal portion comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         13 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 12 , wherein the compression spring comprises a toroidal-shaped coil. 
     
     
         14 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 12 , wherein the compression spring comprises a shape that consists of a round shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape or an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         15 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 10 , wherein the central portion has a through lumen that allows chyme to flow from a patient's stomach to the duodenum. 
     
     
         16 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 15 , wherein the central portion is rigid enough to hold the pylorus open. 
     
     
         17 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 15 , wherein the central portion is compliant enough to allow opening and closing of the pylorus. 
     
     
         18 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 12 , wherein the compression spring is configured to have a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The gastrointestinal device of  claim 12 , wherein the compression spring comprises a shape memory alloy.