US20110270024A1 - Self-adjusting gastric band having various compliant components - Google Patents

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides self-adjusting gastric banding systems for the treatment of obesity and obesity related conditions, as well as systems for allowing the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus. In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides for gastric banding systems having a satiety booster, for example, to increase satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for gastric banding systems that allow for both the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus and an incorporated satiety booster for increasing satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/770,617, filed on Apr. 29, 2010. The entire content of that application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
• The present invention generally relates to medical systems and apparatus and uses thereof for treating obesity and/or obesity-related diseases, and more specifically, relates to gastric banding systems that self-adjust to changes in a patient and/or provides a satiety booster.
BACKGROUND
• Adjustable gastric banding apparatus have provided an effective and substantially less invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery and other conventional surgical weight loss procedures. Despite the positive outcomes of invasive weight loss procedures, such as gastric bypass surgery, it has been recognized that sustained weight loss can be achieved through a laparoscopically-placed gastric band, for example, the LAP-BAND® (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) gastric band or the LAP-BAND AP® (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) gastric band. Generally, gastric bands are placed about the cardia, or upper portion, of a patient's stomach forming a stoma that restricts food's passage into a lower portion of the stomach. When the stoma is of an appropriate size that is restricted by a gastric band, food held in the upper portion of the stomach may provide a feeling of satiety or fullness that discourages overeating. Unlike gastric bypass procedures, gastric band apparatus are reversible and require no permanent modification to the gastrointestinal tract. An example of a gastric banding system is disclosed in Roslin, et al., U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2006/0235448, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this specific reference.
• Over time, a stoma created by a gastric band may need adjustment in order to maintain an appropriate size, which is neither too restrictive nor too passive. Accordingly, prior art gastric band systems provide a subcutaneous fluid access port connected to an expandable or inflatable portion of the gastric band. By adding fluid to or removing fluid from the inflatable portion by means of a hypodermic needle inserted into the access port, the effective size of the gastric band can be adjusted to provide a tighter or looser constriction.
• Sometimes, adjustment of a gastric band may be desirable in between adjustments made by a physician. For example, during normal operation of the gastric band, the band applies pressure to the outer surface of the upper stomach. But in some instances, the patient may swallow a bolus that is too large to pass through the constriction produced by the band. The result can be a painful experience which, if it persists, may require medical intervention to release the blockage.
• Some attempts have been made to account for this possibility of blockage. For example, with reference toFIG. 1A, Coe, et al., U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0216255 discloses a flow control device A that moves fluid between a hydraulic restriction system and a fluid source B. The additional flow control device A controls a rate of fluid flow between the restriction device and the fluid source B. With reference toFIG. 1B, Coe, et al., European Patent Application No. 2 074 970 A1 discloses a separate restriction device and pressure adjustment device C. The pressure adjustment device C regulates a constant force applied by the restriction device using, for example, a bellows and a spring.
• With reference toFIG. 1C, Lechner, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0054914 discloses a controllable stomach band that has a chamber for controlling restriction of the stomach band. The chamber is coupled to a separate pressure chamber D that receives fluid leaving the chamber in the stomach band. The pressure chamber D is separated from the esophageal-gastric junction of the patient's stomach.
• With reference toFIG. 2, Forsell, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0064110 discloses an injection port E which can be pressed to change the volume in the gastric band.
• With reference toFIG. 3, Steffen, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0062826 discloses an adjustable gastric band with a “conveyance device” that is powered by a “power storage device.” The power storage device operates the conveyance device to move fluid between expandable chambers to adjust the gastric band.
• Accordingly, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to develop a self-adjusting gastric band that will provide the needed pressure to the stomach to create the stoma and facilitate weight control, but that will also adapt and open up to allow a large bolus to pass through. Additionally, it may be desirable to make the adjustments without additional, complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves to regulate the transfer of fluid within the self-adjusting gastric band. Moreover, it is desirable to make these adjustments to the gastric band utilizing compliant components to both reduce and restore the constriction of the gastric band.
• Accordingly, in certain embodiments, it is desirable to develop a gastric band having a bladder that a patient may press to obtain a satiety boost.
SUMMARY
• Generally described herein are certain embodiments directed to automatic, self-adjusting, gastric banding systems that are capable of automatically relaxing and contracting in response to a large bolus passing through the area of a patient's stomach constricted by a gastric band. The apparatus and systems described herein in these certain embodiments aid in facilitating obesity control and/or treating obesity-related diseases while being non-invasive once implanted. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the self-adjusting gastric banding systems disclosed herein may be automatically adjustable without complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves. The automatic adjustments may also be made in response to other changes in the patient's esophageal-gastric junction, for example, in response to size, shape, and or location changes.
• In one embodiment, a self-adjusting gastric band automatically adjusts to allow a large bolus of food to pass through a constriction in the patient's stomach formed by the gastric band. The gastric band comprises an inflatable portion that is disposable about an esophageal-gastric junction of the patient. The gastric band also comprises an access port fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion via tubing to fill and drain the inflatable portion.
• Further, the gastric band comprises a first compliant portion coupled to a part of the system. For example, the first compliant portion may be coupled to the inflatable portion, the access port, and/or the tubing. The first compliant portion automatically relaxes the constriction formed by the self-adjusting gastric band and allows the large bolus to pass through the constriction. After the bolus passes through the constriction, the gastric band automatically returns to its previous state.
• In accordance with various embodiments, the first compliant portion facilitates automatically relaxing the constriction formed by the self-adjusting gastric band without causing a fluid to exit the inflatable portion of the gastric band. For example, the self-adjusting gastric band may comprise a ring coupled to the inflatable portion of the gastric band. The ring provides structure and support to the inflatable portion, and the ring facilitates disposing the inflatable portion about the esophageal-gastric junction.
• The ring may be a flexible ring with a diameter that expands when a predetermined pressure is generated in the inflatable portion. For example, the predetermined pressure may be generated in response to the large bolus passing through the esophageal-gastric junction. The flexible ring expands to automatically relax the constriction formed by the self-adjusting gastric band. In various embodiments, the ring has a durometer in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 70.
• According to a further embodiment, the first compliant portion receives a first amount of fluid from the inflatable portion when the large bolus causes a pressure in the first compliant portion to exceed an expansion pressure. Receiving the first amount of fluid from the inflatable portion facilitates relaxing the constriction formed by the self-adjusting gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through the constriction.
• In an embodiment, the first compliant portion is fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion. The first compliant portion facilitates removing the first amount of fluid from the inflatable portion when the large bolus passes through the constriction.
• According to another embodiment, the self-adjusting gastric band further comprises a second compliant portion fluidly coupled to the access port. The second compliant portion automatically removes a second amount of fluid from the inflatable portion via the access port to facilitate relaxing the constriction formed by the inflatable portion.
• The tubing of the gastric banding system may be compliant tubing that expands in response to a pressure in the tubing exceeding a tubing expansion pressure when the large bolus passes through the constriction formed by the self-adjusting gastric band. In this regard, a third amount of fluid is removed from the inflatable portion when the compliant tubing expands. The tubing may be perforated to facilitate receiving the fluid from the inflatable portion via the tubing.
• Furthermore, another embodiment of the self-adjusting gastric band comprises a third compliant portion fluidly coupled to the tubing for automatically receiving a third amount of fluid from the inflatable portion via the tubing when the large bolus enters the esophageal-gastric junction. Receiving the third amount of fluid from the inflatable portion facilitates relaxing the constriction formed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through the constriction.
• The compliant components, according to various embodiments, comprise a kink-resisting feature. Further, the compliant components may comprise a leak-resisting feature. These components may be an elastic polymer, a balloon, a rubber container, a silicone container, a collapsible container, a bellows, and combinations thereof.
• Generally described herein are certain embodiments directed to satiety boosting bladders which may transfer fluid from the bladder to inflatable portions of a gastric band, thereby tightening the gastric band and providing the patient a “satiety boost”. After a period of time, the fluid may return from the gastric band back to the satiety boosting bladder.
• In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be designed to allow for the free flow of fluids in and out of the gastric banding system without requiring valves and without the need to interface with an injection needle. The satiety boosting bladder may allow for intentional fluid transfer when the patient consciously presses on the bladder (by pressing on the skin area near the bladder).
• In one embodiment, a gastric band system may include a satiety boosting bladder located in fluid connection between the gastric band and an access port. The satiety boosting bladder may be physically located beneath the skin of a patient but above the rectus muscle fascia such that the patient may induce pressure on the bladder and disperse fluid to the gastric band by pressing on the skin area closest to the location of the bladder.
• In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be fluidly coupled to one end of an access port, wherein the access port may be located between the satiety boosting bladder and a tube coupling the access port to a gastric band.
• In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be spherically shaped, rectangularly shaped, or circularly shaped. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the satiety boosting bladder may have non-uniform, tapered walls.
• In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be a series of cylindrical components or a coiled component.
• In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may include flow restriction or flow controlling components such as a flow restrictor and/or a valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art system that includes a flow rate limiting device.
• FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art system that includes a fluid control mechanism.
• FIG. 1C illustrates a prior art system that includes a valve and a chamber separated from the esophageal-gastric junction.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art system with a pressable injection port.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art system with a gastric banding system that is immune to deliberate influence by a patient.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a self-adjusting gastric banding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a self-adjusting gastric banding system having various compliant components according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of another self-adjusting gastric banding system having various compliant components according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a chart showing pressure-volume curves for a standard gastric band and a self-adjusting gastric band according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a chart showing pressure-time curves for a standard gastric band and a self-adjusting gastric band subject to a period of obstruction according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a gastric banding system with a satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a gastric banding system having a satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of another gastric banding system having a satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a gastric banding system having a “T-connected” satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a circular satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a rectangular satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a series of cylindrical bladders according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 illustrates a series of differently sized cylindrical bladders according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a coiled bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a bladder having a flow control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 19A illustrates a close up view of the flow control mechanism ofFIG. 19 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention generally provides self-adjusting gastric banding systems, for example, for treatment of obesity and obesity related conditions, as well as systems for allowing automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus.
• Self-adjusting gastric bands are effective in helping a patient lose weight when the band is properly tightened around the patient's esophageal-gastric junction. During normal operation, the gastric band applies pressure to the outer surface of the upper stomach. But, in some instances, the patient may swallow a bolus which is too large to pass through the constriction produced by the gastric band—for example, when the patient swallows a large piece of steak. The result can be a painful experience which, if it persists, may require medical intervention to release the blockage.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the self-adjusting gastric band provides the needed pressure to the stomach to encourage weight loss. However, when a large bolus of food is swallowed, the self-adjusting gastric band temporarily and automatically opens up to allow the bolus through. After the bolus passes through, the mechanisms within the gastric band return the gastric band to its original size and shape. In an embodiment, electrical power and/or power external to the patient is not utilized to perform these adjustments. Further, in an embodiment, complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves are not utilized to regulate the transfer of fluid within the self-adjusting gastric band.
• Turning now toFIG. 4, a self-adjustinggastric banding system400 comprises agastric band405 coupled to asubcutaneous injection port435 viatubing403. Thegastric band405 comprises acircular ring407 and aninflatable portion410 disposed on the inside of thering407. Theinflatable portion410 separates the patient's stomach from thering407 when thegastric band405 is implanted around the esophageal-gastric junction of the patient's stomach. Thering407 provides structure and support to theinflatable portion410, and facilitates implanting thegastric band405 around the patient's stomach.
• Theaccess port435 may be sutured onto the rectus muscle sheath or any other conveniently accessible muscle. The rectus muscle sheath provides a secure surface on which to attach theaccess port435 under a layer of fat that separates the patient's skin from the muscle.
• Theinflatable portion410 may be filled and drained with a fluid via thetubing403. For example, thetubing403 may be connected to thesubcutaneous access port435 for filling and draining theinflatable portion410 via subcutaneous injections. Theinflatable portion410 may also be coupled to a reservoir to facilitate automatic adjustment of theinflatable portion410, and the constriction it causes, when a large bolus attempts to pass through the constriction. When more fluid is introduced in theinflatable portion410, the constriction around the stomach generally becomes tighter. Correspondingly, when less fluid is present, the constriction loosens and/or opens up.
• The fluids used within thegastric band405 may include any fluid that is biocompatible and incompressible. The fluid has no adverse effect on the patient in the unlikely event that a leak emanates from the system. The fluid can simply be water or any biocompatible polymer oil such as caster oil. In an example embodiment, the fluid is saline, a drug, and/or combinations thereof.
• In an embodiment, thering407 is designed to be a compliant portion of thegastric band405. For example, thering407 may flex and/or expand in response to a bolus of food moving through the constriction caused by thegastric band405. Thering407 may have flexible components and rigid components, such that the flexible components expand when a certain elevated and/or maximum pressure is reached in theinflatable portion410. This elevated pressure may exist due to the presence of an obstruction such as a bolus near thegastric band405. As thering407 expands, the diameters of thering407 and theinflatable portion410 increase, and the constriction on the stomach due to thegastric band405 is reduced to allow the bolus to pass through. When the bolus has passed, the elevated pressure no longer exists, and thegastric band405 returns to the pre-obstruction state.
• In another embodiment, theentire ring407 may be flexible and/or expandable such that a diameter of thering407 increases in response to the elevated pressure in theinflatable portion410. For example, thering407 may be constructed of silicone that has a durometer in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 70.
• It should be understood that theflexible ring407 and the other mechanisms disclosed herein for automatically adjusting the constriction of thegastric band405 are only example embodiments. Any mechanism for automatically adjusting the constriction of thegastric band405 that does not include electrical power, power external to the patient, complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
• Furthermore, although various compliant components are illustrated in each of the figures, it should be understood that any combination of the various compliant components may be utilized in different embodiments. For example, an embodiment may include one compliant component—only the ring, the tubing, or the access port may be compliant. In other embodiments, any combination of the ring, the tubing, and the access port may be compliant. For example, an embodiment may include a compliant ring and a compliant port, an embodiment may include compliant tubing and a compliant port, or an embodiment may include a compliant ring and compliant tubing. Any combination of compliant components is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
• With reference toFIG. 5, various compliant components may be utilized to automatically adjust the constriction of thegastric band505 about the esophageal-gastric junction of the patient's stomach. Although three compliant components are illustrated inFIG. 5, as noted above, one or more of the components may be present in various embodiments of the present invention.
• For example, in an embodiment, a bandcompliant component512 is fluidly coupled to theinflatable portion510 of thegastric band505. Thecompliant component512 is located on the outside of thering507, opposite the inflatable portion, and may be coupled to thering507 and the inflatable portion. Further, in an embodiment, one or more fluid ports may extend from theinflatable portion510 to thecompliant component512 to fluidly couple theinflatable portion510 to thecompliant component512.
• With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, and in accordance with various embodiments, a tubecompliant component514,614 may be fluidly coupled to thetubing503,603. As illustrated inFIG. 6, thecompliant component614 may run along substantially the entire length of thetubing603. In another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, thecompliant component514 may be limited to a smaller section of the entire length of thetubing503. Thecompliant component514,614 may be fluidly coupled to thetubing503 at one or more locations. For example, with reference toFIG. 6, thecompliant component614 and thetubing603 may be perforated to allow for efficient transfer of the fluid between thetubing603 and thecompliant component614.
• In another embodiment, thetubing603 itself may be compliant, and the durometer, thickness, and/or diameter of thetubing603 may be altered to achieve a desired degree of compliance. Other components of thegastric band605 may similarly have altered properties in order to achieve a desired degree of compliance.
• In an embodiment, where the tubecompliant component514,614 facilitates automated adjustment of thegastric band505,605, thecompliant component514,614 may have features configured to resist kinking and/or leakage of thetubing503,603. For example, thecompliant component514,614 may include rigid portions (e.g., similar to a skeleton) and flexible portions. The rigid components may give structure to thecompliant component514,614 and/or thetubing503,603 to prevent kinking and/or leakage due to external forces on thecompliant component514,614 and/or thetubing503,603. The flexible components may automatically expand in response to an increased pressure in theinflatable portion510,610 of thegastric band505,605.
• In accordance with another embodiment, and with continued reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, theaccess port535,635 may be fluidly coupled to a portcompliant component516,616. As illustrated inFIG. 5, thecompliant component516 may be a balloon, reservoir, or other expandable device that is adjacent to theport535. In an embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 6, thecompliant component616 may substantially surround theaccess port635. Thecompliant component616 may be fluidly coupled to theaccess port635 at a single location near a coupling between thetubing603 and theaccess port635. In another embodiment, thecompliant component616 may be fluidly coupled to theaccess port635 at multiple locations.
• As noted above, any combination of theinflatable portion510,610, thecompliant component512, thecompliant ring407, the tubecompliant component514,614, and/or the portcompliant component516,616 may be used in accordance with various embodiments. When the pressure in theinflatable portion510,610 exceeds a predetermined pressure, thecompliant components407,512,514,516,614,616, in any particular configuration or combination, expand to receive an amount of the fluid from theinflatable portion510,610 via theinflatable portion510,610, thetubing503,603, and/or theaccess port535,635, and/or to reduce the constriction formed by thegastric band405,505,605. The predetermined pressure may be predetermined based on a pressure that would indicate an obstruction is attempting to pass through the constriction caused by thegastric band405,505,605.
• Thecompliant components407,512,514,516,614,616 described herein, in accordance with various embodiments, may be designed with an expansion pressure at which pressure thecomponents407,512,514,516,614,616 begin to expand, to receive fluid from theinflatable portion510,610 of thegastric band505,605, and/or to reduce the constriction formed by thegastric band405,505,605. The expansion pressure may be configured to correspond to a predetermined pressure in theinflatable portion410,510,610 that may indicate an obstruction exists in the esophageal-gastric junction.
• For example, the obstruction may result in a large spike in intra-esophageal pressure that exceeds the expansion pressure and causes the compliant components to expand and receive fluid from theinflatable portion510,610. The reduction in fluid in theinflatable portion510,610 causes the constriction around the patient's stomach to loosen, in order to relieve the spike in pressure and allow the obstruction to pass through the esophageal-gastric junction. When the obstruction passes, the increased pressure in theinflatable portion510,610 is reduced, and the fluid flows back into theinflatable portion510,610 due to the elasticity of thecompliant components512,514,516,614,616, to restore the original amount of constriction of thegastric band505,605. This change in constriction of thegastric band505,605 results or is achieved without the use of flow rate limiting devices or valves.
• The graph inFIG. 7 illustrates, according to various embodiments, the effect the compliant components described herein have on the pressure in the gastric banding system. As can be seen inFIG. 7, a standard gastric banding system without compliant components has a certain pressure-volume relationship. After the gastric banding system is flushed with saline to remove any air trapped within the system (e.g., in the gastric band, the tubing, and the port), the pressure-volume relationship generally takes the form illustrated by the “Standard” curve inFIG. 7. The dashed “Compliant” curve illustrates an example embodiment of the pressure-volume relationship for a gastric banding system with one or more compliant components. As illustrated, the self-adjusting gastric banding system may include a greater volume of saline than a standard gastric banding system for a given level of pressure.
• The graph inFIG. 8 illustrates, according to various embodiments, pressure characteristics of a “Standard” gastric banding system and a “Self-Adjusting” gastric banding system during use of the systems in a patient. Initially, the two systems are set to the same operating pressure, for example, for a desired level of constriction of the patient's stomach. As a large bolus of food or some other obstruction encounters the gastric band, the pressure in each system increases. As illustrated, the standard system has a larger pressure increase during the period of obstruction than the self-adjusting gastric banding system experiences. This smaller increase in pressure, according to various embodiments, is due to the addition of the reservoir space in the compliant component(s). As pressure in the gastric banding system increases, fluid is transferred into the reservoir space. Once the obstruction passes, the fluid is automatically returned from the reservoir space back into the gastric band.
• The various compliant components disclosed herein may have any shape or configuration that facilitates removing an amount of fluid from the inflatable portion of the gastric band in response to an increased pressure in the inflatable portion. For example, the compliant components may be selected from a compressible reservoir, an elastic polymer, a balloon, a rubber container, a silicone container, a collapsible container, a bellows, and combinations thereof that are configured to contain the fluid.
• Examples of self adjusting gastric banding systems now having been described, attention will be turned to gastric banding systems with a satiety booster. Occasionally, the patient may desire a little extra help from the gastric band system to avoid overeating. This extra appetite suppression may be achieved by the patient intentionally pressing on an implanted bladder which provides a satiety boost by transfer fluid within the implanted bladder to an inflatable portion of the gastric band, thereby tightening the gastric band and causing the patient to feel full.
• In one embodiment,FIG. 9 illustrates agastric band system900 which may include agastric band905 in fluid communication with abladder917 and aport935. Thegastric band system900 may be implanted between theskin955 of the patient and therectus muscle fascia965. When a patient desires to temporarily suppress appetite, the patient may press on the patient's skin near the location of thebladder917 as designated byarrow980. As a patient presses at the location of thearrow980, pressure may be exerted on thebladder917, causing fluid from thebladder917 to be transferred to thegastric band905, thereby tightening thegastric band905.
• In one embodiment, thegastric band905 and theport935 may be implanted as usual with thebladder917. However, an additional step may be added to the implantation procedure so that a surgeon may tunnel an extra pouch between theskin955 and therectus muscle fascia965. The extra pouch may be positioned under the subcutaneous fat or on top of the subcutaneous fat and thebladder917 may be positioned within the tunneled pouch. Following surgery, thegastric band905 may be adjusted as usual by inserting a needle into theaccess port935 and adding fluid as necessary. Once the proper adjustment has been made, the patient may feel or experience significantly increased satiety. If the patient feels hungry during a period which their physician has deemed inappropriate (e.g., between normal size meals), the patient may want to temporarily suppress their appetite by pressing on the skin near thearrow980, as discussed above.
• FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of agastric band system1000. As shown, thegastric band system1000 may include agastric band1005 comprising aninflatable portion1010 in acompliant ring1007. Thegastric band1005 may be in fluid communication with thebladder1017 which in turn may be in fluid communication with anaccess port1035. As shown, thebladder1017 may be of an ellipsoidal shape and may be located between thegastric band1005 and theaccess port1035. However, other placements of thebladder1017 may be possible.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an example of one embodiment where abladder1117 is attached on the other side of theaccess port1135. As shown, thegastric band system1100 may include agastric band1105 with aninflatable portion1110 and aring1107. Thegastric band1105 may be connected to atubing1103 which may be connected to theaccess port1135. As shown, when the patient presses on his or her skin at a location near thebladder1117, fluid within thebladder1117 may travel through theaccess port1135 and thetubing1103 and into theinflatable portion1110 of thegastric band1105, thereby increasing the amount of fluid within thegastric band1105 and causing the patient to feel satiety.
• In one embodiment as shown inFIG. 12, thebladder1217 may be connected to thegastric banding system1200 through a “T”connector1219 such that thebladder1217 is not in-line with theport1235 nor thegastric band1205. In this manner, the “T”connector1219 may be a part of thetubing1203 and may allow thebladder1217 to be in fluid communication with other portions of thegastric banding system1200 such as atube component1214 and an endcompliant portion1216, among other components.
• Other methods of fluidly connecting a bladder (e.g., bladder1217) to a gastric band (e.g., a gastric band1205) may be possible. For example, a “Y” connector (not shown) or any other type of connector may be used.
• Althoughbladders1017,1117, and1217 inFIGS. 10,11 and12 respectively have been shown to be ellipsoidal, other shapes may be possible. For example,FIG. 13 illustrates a flat,circular bladder1317 whileFIG. 14 illustrates arectangular bladder1417. Thebladders1317 and1417 may be implemented anywhere, for example, asbladder1017 between thegastric band1005 and theport1035, or asbladder1117 coupled to theport1135. In addition, other shapes may be possible such as a spherical bladder, a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid or other suitable shapes (not shown).
• The previous bladder shapes, for example,bladders1017,1117,1317 and1417 may be useful within a limited range of pressures. However, as the pressure within the fluid increases, thesebladders1017,1117,1317 and1417 may bulge and take on a more spherical shape. The bulging characteristics may be reduced or limited by choosing particular combinations of materials and shapes.
• Examples of non-bulging bladder shapes are illustrated inFIGS. 15,16 and17.
• As shown inFIG. 15,bladder1517 may include a series of connected cylinders having similar shapes and similar sizes. While shown here to be four cylinders, any number of cylinders in series may be possible. The series of connected cylinders of thebladder1517 may be in fluid communication with each other (e.g., a gap may exist proximal to the point of attachment thereby allowing fluid to be freely transferred between the different cylinders of the bladder1517). In one embodiment, when a flexible non-stretching material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is formed into a series of connected cylinders, thebladder1517 may be inflated to its maximum volume and shape. As more fluid is injected into thebladder1517, the pressure in the system dramatically increases but the shape of thebladder1517 does not stretch and expand.
• FIG. 16 illustrates abladder1617 comprising a series of cylinders of various sizes. Again, while shown here to be five cylinders, any number of cylinders in the series may be possible. As shown, the diameter of the middle cylinder of thebladder1617 may be larger, while the diameter of the outer cylinders may be smaller. Similar to thebladder1517 ofFIG. 15, when a flexible non-stretching material such as PTFE is formed into a series of connected cylinders, thebladder1617 may be inflated to its maximum volume and shape. As more fluid is injected into thebladder1617, the pressure in the system dramatically increases but the shape of thebladder1617 does not stretch and expand.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a coil-like bladder1717. Thebladder1717 may include internal structures that allow thebladder1717 to inflate (i.e., allowing the diameter of the coils of thebladder1717 to increase) but without substantially altering the shape of the bladder1717 (i.e., preventing thebladder1717 from “uncoiling”). As such, the patient may press on any portion of thebladder1717 to obtain a boost in satiety.
• While different shapes may be possible to construct the bladder, bladder devices are not designed to encourage needle insertion. For example,bladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617, and1717 may be constructed out of puncture-resistant fabrics or hard shells to protect thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617, and1717 from needle punctures. Additionally, thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617, and1717 may be made resistant to needle punctures by being positioned away from an injection port (e.g.,injections ports1035,1135).
• In one embodiment, thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617, and1717 may be constructed out of flexible materials such as rubber, silicone, latex and the like and/or thin plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA), PTFE, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polysolfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), among other fabrics or materials.
• While different shapes of bladders have been discussed, the walls within each of the bladders (e.g., thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617, and1717) may also vary. For example, as shown inFIG. 18, thebladder1817 may include atapered wall1821 shown as the top wall and auniform wall1823 shown as a bottom wall. Thebladder1817 ofFIG. 18 may be constructed with a tapered wall thinnest at the center of thebladder1817 where most of the fluid is stored. When the center of thebladder1817 is pressed, the fluid may be released in an efficient manner instead of being dispersed to the edges of thebladder1817. However, in certain embodiments, bladders with uniform wall thicknesses throughout may also be possible.
• Thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617,1717, and1817 described herein may be used in conjunction with each other and with other bladders of varying compliance. For example, referring back toFIG. 12, thebladder1217 may be a non-compliant component and may be used to achieve fluid flow when the patient presses on thebladder1217. Thebladder1216 may be a compliant component and may be used as an intentional fluid flow creator and as a pressure moderating device. These twobladders1217 and1216, among other bladders, may also be used simultaneously such that onenon-compliant bladder1217 may allow for fluid transfer while the othercompliant bladder1216 may act as a pressure monitoring device.
• In one or more embodiments,bladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617,1717, and1817 may allow for fluid transfer via one or more mechanisms. Fluid transfer may be intentionally induced when the patient consciously presses on the bladder (e.g.,bladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617,1717, and1817) by hand. Fluid transfer may also be unintentionally induced when the patient undergoes daily movement (e.g., stretching, walking, breathing, talking) as these actions may cause pressures on the bladders (e.g., thebladders1017,1117,1317,1417,1517,1617,1717, and1817) as well.
• In one embodiment, when a patient presses on thebladder1217 to cause fluid to flow towards thegastric band1205, thegastric banding system1200 may be configured to permit the fluid to flow back to thebladder1217 at a substantially unimpeded rate.
• In another embodiment, a flow rate restriction device may be implemented into thebladder1217 to restrict or control the fluid flow between thebladder1217 and thegastric band1205.
• FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a flowrate restriction device1947 within abladder1917.FIG. 19A illustrates a close up view of therestriction device1947. As shown, the flowrate restriction device1947 may include aflow restrictor1927 and aduckbill valve1937 located proximately at an area where a tubing is joined to thebladder1917. When the patient presses on thebladder1917, fluid may flow out of theduckbill valve1937 at one rate and when fluid flows from the gastric band (not shown) back into thebladder1917, theflow restrictor1927 may control the flow of the fluid at a second rate.
• In one embodiment the rate that fluid leaves thebladder1917 through theduckbill valve1937 may be higher than the rate that fluid flows through the flow restrictor1927 back into thebladder1917. Conversely, the flow rate of fluid entering thebladder1917 through theduckbill valve1937 may be higher than the flow rate of fluid leaving thebladder1917. Alternatively, the flow rates may be equal.
• While aduckbill valve1937 and aflow restrictor1927 have been illustrated inFIG. 19, other forms of restriction may be possible.
• Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, volumes of fluids, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
• The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
• Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
• Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
• Furthermore, certain references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above-cited references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.
• In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims (20)

1. A self-adjusting gastric band for the treatment of obesity that adjusts to provide a satiety boost to a patient, the self-adjusting gastric band comprising:

an inflatable portion disposable about an esophageal-gastric junction of the patient;

an access port fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion via tubing to fill and drain the inflatable portion; and

a satiety boosting bladder fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion and the access port, the satiety boosting bladder being configured to transfer fluid to the inflatable portion in response to an external pressure exerted on the satiety boosting bladder.

2. The gastric band ofclaim 1 further comprising a compliant portion coupled to at least one of the inflatable portion, the access port, the tubing or the satiety boosting bladder, the compliant portion configured to automatically relax the construction formed by the gastric band and allow a large bolus to pass through the constriction.

3. The gastric band ofclaim 2 further comprising a ring coupled to the inflatable portion for providing structure and support to the inflatable portion, wherein the ring facilitates disposing the inflatable portion about the esophageal-gastric junction.

4. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is configured to transfer fluid to the inflatable portion in response to the patient pressing on the area of skin closest to the satiety boosting bladder.

5. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is configured to transfer fluid to the inflatable portion in response to the patient breathing, talking, or moving.

6. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is ellipsoidal, circular, or rectangularly shaped.

7. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is a series of uniformly sized cylindrical bladders, a series of non-uniformly sized cylindrical bladders, or a coiled bladder.

8. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is located between a skin layer and a rectus muscle fascia layer within a body of the patient.

9. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder comprises a wall of varying thickness.

10. The gastric band ofclaim 9 wherein the wall comprises a tapered portion near the center of the satiety boosting bladder.

11. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion and the access port via a “T-connector”.

12. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion and the access port via a “Y-connector”.

13. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder comprises a fluid flow rate controlling device, the fluid flow rate controlling device including:

a valve, and

a flow restrictor.

14. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is further configured to receive fluid from the inflatable portion.

15. A gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity that provides a satiety boost to a patient in response to the patient pressing on a portion of the gastric banding system, the gastric banding system comprising:

a gastric band having an inflatable portion and a ring coupled to the inflatable portion to facilitate disposing the gastric band about an esophageal-gastric junction of the patient;

an access port in fluid communication with the gastric band, the access port configured to receive a needle and providing the gastric band system with fluid; and

a satiety boosting bladder in fluid communication with the gastric band and the access port, the satiety boosting bladder configured to transfer fluid to the inflatable portion of the gastric band in response to external pressure exerted on the satiety boosting bladder.

16. The gastric banding system ofclaim 15 further comprising a compliant portion fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion, the access port, and the satiety boosting bladder, the compliant portion for removing the amount of fluid from the inflatable portion to allow a large bolus of food swallowed by the patient to pass through a constriction in the patient's stomach formed by the gastric band.

17. The gastric banding system ofclaim 16 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is non-compliant.

18. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is ellipsoidally shaped, circularly shaped, rectangularly shaped, is a series of uniformly sized cylindrical bladders, or is a series of non-uniformly sized cylindrical bladders or a coiled bladder.

19. A gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity that adjusts a gastric band when a large bolus of food is swallowed by a patient or when the patient presses on his skin to activate a satiety booster, the system comprising:

an inflatable portion of the gastric band, the gastric band being disposable about an esophageal-gastric junction of the patient;

a ring coupled to the inflatable portion for providing support to the inflatable portion and for securing the inflatable portion around the patient's stomach, wherein the ring flexes in response to the large bolus to facilitate allowing the large bolus to pass through a constriction formed by the gastric band;

a first compliant portion fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion for automatically receiving a first amount of fluid from the inflatable portion when the large bolus enters the esophageal-gastric junction, to assist in relaxing the constriction formed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through the constriction;

a non-compliant bladder fluidly coupled to the gastric band, the non-compliant bladder providing an increase of satiety to a patient by transferring fluid to the inflatable portion in response to the patient pressing on his skin;

an access port fluidly coupled to the inflatable portion and the bladder via tubing to fill and drain the inflatable portion and the bladder; and

a second compliant portion fluidly coupled to the access port for automatically receiving a second amount of fluid from the access port when the large bolus enters the esophageal-gastric junction, to assist in relaxing the constriction formed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through the constriction.

20. The gastric banding system ofclaim 19 further comprising a third compliant portion fluidly coupled to the tubing for automatically receiving a third amount of fluid from the tubing when the large bolus enters the esophageal-gastric junction, to assist in relaxing the constriction formed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through the constriction.

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