Multiple-pouch intragastric balloons, surgical device for expanding said balloon and method for making same
The invention relates to an expandable intra-gastric balloon ( 1 ) for treating obesity, the balloon being for implanting in the stomach in order to reduce its volume, said balloon ( 1 ) comprising a first flexible pouch ( 2 ) provided with first connection means ( 3 ) for receiving a connection member ( 6 ) that is for connection to a first fluid source in order to expand said first pouch ( 2 ) in the stomach by filling it with fluid, the balloon being characterized in that it includes at least one second flexible pouch ( 20 ) provided with second connection means ( 3 ′), said second connection means ( 3 ′) being separate from the first connection means ( 3 ) in such a manner as to be capable of being connected to a second fluid source different from the first fluid source. The invention applies to treating obesity.
1. A method of fabricating an intra-gastric balloon ( 1 ) for treating obesity, said balloon ( 1 ) designed to be implanted in the stomach of a patient in order to reduce the volume of the stomach, said balloon ( 1 ) comprising a flexible envelope ( 2 ) defining a predetermined inside volume, said flexible envelope ( 2 ) being made of an elastomer material, wherein the dimensional tolerance (T) on the nominal thickness (e nom ) of the envelope lies in the range of 1% to 20%, the method comprising:
injecting an elastomer material into a mold in order to obtain a flexible pouch that is to form the flexible envelope ( 2 ) on the balloon ( 1 ).
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, prior to the injection step, the method comprises:
preparing a mold in which a top cavity ( 40 ) of generally hemispherical shape is pressed against a bottom cavity ( 41 ) likewise of generally hemispherical shape, so as to obtain an inside volume that is substantially spherical in shape, with a spherical core ( 42 ) being previously positioned between the two cavities ( 40 , 41 ), concentrically therewith, the diameter of the core being smaller than the diameter of said inside volume; and
wherein the injection step comprising a step of injecting the elastomer material into the space ( 43 ) that extends between the core ( 42 ) and the cavities ( 40 , 41 ) so as to obtain a pouch of generally spherical shape that is to form the envelope ( 2 ) of the balloon.