IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION DEVICE WITH PROTECTIVE MEMBER
An implantable restriction device includes a belt and a balloon secured to the belt for engagement with tissue when the implantable restriction device is positioned about an organ. A protective member is associated with the balloon for positioning between the balloon and a tissue surface defining a band tissue interface.
1 . An implantable restriction device, comprising:
a belt;
a balloon secured to the belt for engagement with tissue when the implantable restriction device is positioned about an organ;
a protective member associated with the balloon for positioning between the balloon and a tissue surface defining a band tissue interface.
2 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member includes a protective plate which is flexible and positioned along an inner surface of the balloon of the restrictive device.
3 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 2 , wherein the protective member includes a protective plate which is pleated and positioned along the inner surface of the balloon of the restrictive device.
4 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 2 , wherein the protective plate is a directional flexible plate.
5 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 2 , wherein the protective plate is made of expandable PTFE.
6 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is an overlapping plate system and the overlapping plate system includes an intralocking and overlapping construction that can accordion open or close to protect the balloon.
7 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is a sponge that conforms to the band tissue interface so as to prevent undesirable interaction which might ultimately cause damage to either the staple line or the balloon.
8 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is an expandable PTFE applied to the inner surface of the balloon of the implantable restriction device.
9 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is composed of stand-offs formed along the inner surface of the balloon.
10 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 9 , wherein the stand-offs are of a different durometer than the balloon.
11 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 9 , wherein the stand-offs are shaped and dimensioned to straddle the staple line and protect the balloon.
12 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is a protective layer added to the balloon that interfaces with the staple line and wherein a section of the balloon in contact with the staple line is formed from a material having a different durometer than the remainder of the balloon.
13 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is a fibrous mesh within an inner wall of the balloon.
14 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is a self sealing material.
15 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 14 , wherein the self sealing material is an inner wall of the balloon.
16 . The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member is integrally associated with the balloon.
17 . The implantable restriction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective member includes a plurality of individual lumens in a layered configuration.