Methods of replacing a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve for therapy adjustment
View Patent ↗Methods are disclosed for replaceable attachment of an endoluminal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve device or an attachment cuff, within a patient's digestive tract for treatment of obesity.
1. A method of adjusting therapy in a patient, comprising the steps of:
identifying a patient with an implanted first gastrointestinal bypass tube, the first bypass tube releasably connected to a support which is attached to tissue in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction;
separating the first bypass tube from the support and removing the first bypass tube from the patient after separating the first bypass tube from the support;
providing a second bypass tube, wherein the second bypass tube is different from the first bypass tube; and
attaching the second bypass tube to the support.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube is less permeable than the first bypass tube.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube is more permeable than the first bypass tube.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube comprises a coating.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the coating is on the exterior of the second bypass tube.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the coating is on the interior of the second bypass tube.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a low friction material.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the low friction material is a lubricious material.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube comprises a drug coating.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube comprises a constant diameter.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass tube comprises a variable diameter.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass sleeve comprises a biodegradable material.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second bypass sleeve comprises a series of segments that biodegrade sequentially.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the second bypass sleeve degrades more rapidly than a proximal portion of the second bypass sleeve.