Atraumatic gastrointestinal anchor

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and articles for anchoring within a natural bodily lumen. An anchor is adapted to provide differing radially-outward forces along its length, a securing force and a transitional force. Production of these forces can be controlled by varying a physical property of the anchor, such as its stiffness, thickness, or shape. For example, the stiffness of an elongated anchor can be varied from a relatively soft value at its proximal and distal ends to a relatively stiff value at its center by varying the diameter of wire forming the anchor, thereby tailoring it to an intended application. Such force tailoring can be combined with external barbs and used to reliably anchor other instruments, such as feeding tubes and intestinal sleeves.

1 . An intraluminal implant comprising:
 an anchor configured to be implanted within a natural bodily lumen, the anchor comprising a plurality of wave-shaped anchoring elements, wherein each of the plurality of wave-shaped anchoring elements expands against the lumen; and   a flexible, elongated sleeve coupled at its proximal end to the anchor, the sleeve configured to extend distally beyond the anchor within the natural bodily lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises two of the wave-shaped anchoring elements. 
     
     
         3 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises three of the wave-shaped anchoring elements. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is floppy, or wherein the elongated sleeve is thin-walled, collapsing upon itself. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated sleeve is configured to be anchored in the proximal duodenum, the sleeve extending distally within the intestine. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is coupled to the sleeve between overlapping layers of the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is radially collapsible for endoscopic insertion. 
     
     
         11 . The intraluminal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the waves of the wave-shaped anchoring elements do not overlap axially. 
     
     
         12 . A method for anchoring a flexible, elongated sleeve within a natural bodily lumen, the method comprising:
 providing an anchor fixed to a proximal end of the flexible, elongated sleeve, the sleeve extending distally into the natural bodily lumen, the anchor comprising a plurality of wave-shaped anchoring elements; and   providing a radially-outward securing force from the anchor acting upon the natural bodily lumen, wherein the radially-outward securing forces acts to secure the anchor in the natural bodily lumen.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising inhibiting movement in either direction along the natural bodily lumen using the at least one external barb. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising at least partially radially collapsing the anchor for insertion of the anchor into the natural bodily lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising at least partially radially collapsing at least a portion of the anchor for removal of the anchor from the natural bodily lumen. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor comprises two of the wave-shaped anchoring elements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor comprises three of the wave-shaped anchoring elements. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve is floppy, or wherein the sleeve is thin-walled, collapsing upon itself. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising anchoring the sleeve in the proximal duodenum and extending the sleeve distally within the intestine. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor is coupled to the sleeve between overlapping layers of the sleeve. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the waves of the wave-shaped anchoring elements do not overlap axially.