Gastric band composed of different hardness materials
A gastric band has a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location and a belt extending about the balloon. Further, a linking layer is positioned between the balloon and the belt, wherein the linking layer is harder than either the balloon or the belt. Additionally, the belt includes a first latching member at a first end of the gastric band and second latching member at a second end of the gastric band, the first latching member and the second latching member being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement to secure the gastric band about a stomach of a patient, wherein the first latching member and second latching member are composed of different materials.
1. A gastric band, comprising:
a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location;
a belt extending about the balloon;
a linking layer positioned between the balloon and the belt, the linking layer being harder than either the balloon or the belt.
2. The gastric band according to claim 1 , wherein the gastric band is a pre-curved, low pressure, high volume gastric band.
3. The gastric band according to claim 2 , wherein the balloon is more flexible than the belt.
4. The gastric band according to claim 1 , wherein the balloon is composed of a material that has a durometer of between approximately 45 and approximately 55, the belt is composed of a material that has a durometer of between approximately 55 and approximately 65 and the linking layer has a durometer higher than either the balloon or the belt.
5. The gastric band according to claim 4 , wherein the balloon is more flexible than the belt.
6. The gastric band according to claim 5 , wherein the balloon is made out of a material having a durometer of approximately 50 and the linking layer has a durometer higher than the balloon.
7. The gastric band according to claim 5 , wherein the belt is made out of a material having a durometer of approximately 60 and the linking layer has a durometer higher than the belt.
8. The gastric band according to claim 1 , wherein the linking layer is composed of silicone.
9. The gastric band according to claim 8 , wherein the belt is composed of silicone.
10. The gastric band according to claim 9 , wherein the balloon is composed of silicone.
11. The gastric band according to claim 1 , further including a first latching member and a second latching member; and the first latching member and the second latching member are composed of different materials having different hardnesses.
12. The gastric band according to claim 11 , wherein the first latching member is composed of a material that is softer than the material from which the second latching member is composed.
13. The gastric band according to claim 12 , wherein the first latching member has a durometer of between approximately 55 and approximately 65 and the second latching member has a durometer of between approximately 55 and approximately 65.
14. The gastric band according to claim 12 , wherein the second latching member is composed of a material that is softer than the material from which the first latching member is composed.
15. A gastric band, comprising:
a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location;
a belt extending about the balloon;
a first latching member at a first end of the gastric band and a second latching member at a second end of the gastric band, the first latching member and the second latching member being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement securing the gastric band about a stomach of a patient, wherein the first latching member and second latching member are composed of different materials offering different hardnesses.
16. The gastric band according to claim 15 , wherein the balloon is made out of a material having a durometer of between approximately 45 and approximately 55 and the belt is made out of a material having a durometer of between approximately 55 and approximately 65.
17. The gastric band according to claim 15 , wherein the first latching member has a durometer of between approximately 40 and approximately 70 and the second latching member has a durometer of between approximately 40 and approximately 70.
18. The gastric band according to claim 15 , wherein the first latching member is composed of a material that is softer than the material from which the second latching member is composed.
19. The gastric band according to claim 15 , wherein the second latching member is composed of a material that is softer than the material from which the first latching member is composed.
20. The gastric band according to claim 15 , wherein the gastric band is a pre-curved, low pressure, high volume gastric band.