Endoscopic Tools for the Removal of Balloon-Like Intragastric Devices

Abstract

A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object such as an intragastric balloon from a patient. The apparatus includes a delivery tube having a lumen and a retrieval tool able to slide within the lumen that can both puncture and grasp the intragastric balloon. The retrieval tool may have sharpened graspers with either a sharp tip and/or knife-like edges. Alternatively, the delivery tube itself may have sharpened cutting blades that deploy outward to puncture the intragastric balloon. One embodiment utilizes a suction cup tip on the delivery sheath and a sharpened puncture rod that extends past the distal tip of the lumen, for rapid deflation of a balloon. Various embodiments hasten the deflation process and simplify the manipulation required by the surgeon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for retrieving an intragastric balloon, comprising:
 an elongated delivery tube having a lumen and terminating in a suction cup; and   a balloon retrieval tool disposed and able to slide within the delivery tube lumen, the retrieval tool comprising an elongated member that extends through the lumen of the delivery tube and terminates in a sharpened tip.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sharpened tip of the elongate member is displaceable beyond the suction cup. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is a rod. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction cup is adapted to engage the intragastric balloon via suction. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the elongate delivery tube lumen is adapted to apply the suction. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction cup is adapted to firmly attach to an exterior wall of the balloon when suction is applied to the suction cup. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon has a shell, and the sharpened tip of the elongate member is adapted to puncture the shell of the balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the balloon contains fluid, and suction applied to the suction cup is adapted to facilitate removal of the fluid from within the balloon when the balloon is punctured by the sharpened tip. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon contains fluid, and suction applied to the suction cup is adapted to facilitate removal of the fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member includes an aspiration channel that can be used to facilitate deflation of the balloon. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the aspiration channel facilitates deflation of the balloon after the balloon is punctured by the sharpened tip.