Anchorless intragastric Device For Treating Obesity

Abstract

A intragastric device that contains a compressible free-floating structure and a sleeve attached thereto is provided. The device is considered to be anchorless as the sleeve is not physically attached to any portion of the GI tract. The device is configurable between a compressed pre-deployment configuration and an expanded post-deployment configuration. The free-floating device may be composed of a shape memory material such a nitinol. In some embodiments, the free-floating structure is space occupying and non-porous. The sleeve may be attached to the free-floating structure, such as with sutures and/or glue. In some embodiments, a stent may be inserted at the proximal end of the sleeve. A second free-floating structure may be connected to the free-floating structure such that there is an upper structure and a lower structure. In some embodiments, the gastrointestinal device is used to deliver prebiotic and/or probiotic therapy to a patient.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An intragastric device comprising:
 a non-porous, compressible anchoring structure having a spiral-shaped configuration with a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween that is wider than the proximal and distal ends; and   an elongate sleeve coupled to said distal end of said anchoring structure and extending distally from said anchoring structure.   
     
     
         22 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein said anchoring structure is configured to provide positioning support to said sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein said anchoring structure comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         24 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein said anchoring structure has a diameter in from 3 mm to 30 mm at its widest part. 
     
     
         25 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein said sleeve is attached to said anchoring structure by sutures, glue, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , further comprising a second anchoring structure attached to said proximal end of said compressible anchoring structure. 
     
     
         27 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein the anchoring structure comprises a flat material. 
     
     
         28 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein the spiral-shaped configuration of the anchoring structure is adapted for food to enter through spaces in the spiral-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The intragastric device of  claim 21 , wherein said anchoring structure is configurable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. 
     
     
         30 . An intragastric device comprising:
 an anchoring structure including a plurality of loops; and   an elongate sleeve extending distally from said anchoring structure, said sleeve having an upper proximal portion, a middle transitional portion, and a lower distal portion,   wherein said loops extend radially and outward from the proximal end of said upper proximal portion of said sleeve, and   wherein said middle transitional portion has a diameter that decreases in size from its proximal end to its distal end and interconnects said upper proximal portion and said lower distal portion.   
     
     
         31 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said loops are interconnected around the circumference of said upper proximal portion. 
     
     
         32 . The intragastric device of  claim 31 ,
 wherein said upper proximal portion and said lower distal portion each has an approximate consistent diameter along its length,   wherein said lower distal portion has a length that is greater than a length of said upper proximal portion, and   wherein a diameter of said upper proximal portion is larger than a diameter of said lower distal portion.   
     
     
         33 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a plurality of horizontal support elements along a length of said middle transitional portion and said lower distal portion. 
     
     
         34 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a plurality of vertical support elements in the form of elongate metal wires. 
     
     
         35 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said anchoring structure comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         36 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said anchoring structure is configurable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. 
     
     
         37 . The intragastric device of  claim 30 , wherein said sleeve comprises a membrane.