Apparatus for treating obesity
View Patent ↗An apparatus for treating obesity comprising a volume filling device assembled from at least two segments and is provided and following implantation, the device is placed resting against the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patient's appetite.
1. An apparatus for treating obesity in a human or animal mammal patient, the apparatus comprising:
at least a first, second and third volume filling device segment adapted to be assembled into an implantable volume filling device of a controlled size, wherein
the first volume filling device segment is a core part comprising interconnecting recesses or protrusions, and wherein
the second and third volume filling device segments are outer volume filling device segments each comprising interconnecting recesses or protrusions corresponding to the interconnecting recesses or protrusions of the first volume filling device segment, and configured so that the first, second and third volume filling device segments can be assembled into the volume filling device by means of form fitting provided between the interconnecting recesses or protrusions of the first volume filling device segment and the interconnecting recesses or protrusions of each of the second and third volume filling device segments,
wherein the assembled volume filling device has a size of at least 125 mm 3 and a minimum circumference of at least 15 millimeters and is adapted to be at least substantially invaginated by a stomach wall portion of a patient, wherein said assembled volume filling device is adapted to be placed with the outer surface of the device resting against the stomach wall, such that the volume of the food cavity is reduced in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the assembled volume filling device, when the assembled volume filling device is invaginated in the stomach wall, and wherein said segments are adapted to disconnect from each other if the assembled volume filling device is removed from its invaginated position, to separately pass through the intestines, thereby reducing risk for causing obstruction/ileus in the patient's intestines.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments have at least a part of an outer surface including a biocompatible material.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to pass through a trocar, for assembly and implantation of said volume filling device into the abdominal cavity.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , the first, second and third volume filling device segments have a flexible outer shape adapted to pass through a trocar.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to have a shape allowing them to be assembled into said volume filling device, when implanted.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are hollow with a flexible outer surface.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to be filled with at least one of a fluid a foam, a gel or a fluid that hardens to a solid material.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are solid.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to temporary be holding their assembled position.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to permanently hold their assembled position by the invaginated stomach wall.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are adapted to temporary be holding their assembled position by an adhesive.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third volume filling device segments are of a size that admits free passage through a gastrointestinal system.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the core part has assembly slits adapted to receive corresponding assembly flanges of each of the second and third volume filling device segments when assembling the volume filling device.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the slits are distributed around an outer peripheral area of the core part.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interconnecting recesses or protrusions of each of the second and third volume filling device segments immobilizes each of the second and third volume filling device segments to the core part along a first plane, and wherein the second and third volume filling device segments and the core part further comprises second assembly elements, which following the assembly of said second and third volume filling device segments and the core part, immobilize each of the second and third volume filling device segment and the core part along a second plane in an angle to said first plane.