Intestinal devices and methods for facilitating weight loss

Abstract

An intestinal device, or a non-constrictive cuff, is configured for placement around an intestine. In the closed position the non-constrictive cuff is configured to be around at least part or all of an intestine, wherein the non-constrictive cuff does not constrict the portion of the intestine when deployed. A first intestinal device can be deployed for placement around a portion of an intestine, wherein a proximal end of the first intestinal device is configured to longitudinally overlap a distal end of a second intestinal device when disposed around an intestine. A method of use for a first intestinal device or non-constrictive cuff is also disclosed.

1 . A device for placement around an intestine, comprising:
 a non-constrictive cuff, wherein the non-constrictive cuff is configured for placement around a portion of an intestine of a patient and further configured to reduce or limit localized intestinal distension and to facilitate weight loss of the patient without constriction of the intestine upon deployment.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the non-constrictive cuff comprises an effective inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the portion of an intestine at a location of the placement of the device thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the non-constrictive cuff is no less than an outer diameter of the portion of an intestine at a location of the placement of the device thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the non-constrictive cuff defines an axial gap which defines a 30-45 degree arc of an outer circumference of the non-constrictive cuff when measured from an opposite side of the non-constrictive cuff. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to transform from a compressed, first configuration during device delivery into the patient using a delivery device to an uncompressed, second configuration when the device is within the patient and outside of the delivery device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the effective inner diameter is greater than 5.0 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the non-constrictive cuff has a first, open configuration that can transform to a second, closed or partially closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A device for placement around an intestine, comprising:
 a first intestinal device having a longitudinal axis defined along its length, the first intestinal device configured for placement around a portion of an intestine of a patient and configured to reduce or limit localized intestinal distension; and   wherein a proximal end of the first intestinal device is further configured to longitudinally overlap a distal end of a second intestinal device when disposed around an intestine.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein when the first intestinal device is positioned around the portion of the intestine, the first intestinal device does not constrict the intestine. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first intestinal device is configured for placement around at least half of a perimeter of the intestine. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first intestinal device is configured for placement completely around the intestine. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a hinged arm coupled to the first intestinal device at a hinge location;   wherein when a hinged arm end engages a relative end of the first intestinal device, the first intestinal device is in a closed configuration; and   wherein the device is in an open position when the hinged arm extends radially outward.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a post and a post aperture defined within the first intestinal device, the post configured to engage the post aperture to close the device.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 one or more tabs positioned at or near a first end of the first intestinal device; and   a tab receiver positioned at or near a second end of the first intestinal device, the tab receiver configured to receive the one or more tabs to close the first intestinal device;   wherein the one or more tabs allows a user of the first intestinal device to adjust an overall closed configuration size of the first intestinal device.   
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 positioning a first non-constrictive cuff around a portion of an intestine of a patient; and   closing the first non-constrictive cuff around the portion of the intestine such that the first non-constrictive cuff does not constrict the portion of the intestine upon closing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of securing the first non-constrictive cuff in place on the portion of the intestine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of limiting expansion of the portion of the intestine after closing the first non-constrictive cuff without constricting the intestine. 
     
     
         18 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning a second non-constrictive cuff on a second portion of the intestine such that there is a gap on the intestine between the first non-constrictive cuff and the second non-constrictive cuff. 
     
     
         19 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning a second non-constrictive cuff on a second portion of the intestine such that the first non-constrictive cuff is immediately adjacent the second non-constrictive cuff. 
     
     
         20 . The method of treating a patient as in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of securing the second non-constrictive cuff in place on the second portion of the intestine such that the second non-constrictive cuff does not constrict the second portion of the intestine upon closing.