Endoscopic tools for the removal of balloon-like intragastric devices
View Patent ↗A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object such as an intragastric balloon from a patient. The apparatus includes a delivery tube having a lumen and a retrieval tool able to slide within the lumen that can both puncture and grasp the intragastric balloon. The retrieval tool may have sharpened graspers with either a sharp tip and/or knife-like edges. Alternatively, the delivery tube itself may have sharpened cutting blades that deploy outward to puncture the intragastric balloon. One embodiment utilizes a suction cup tip on the delivery sheath and a sharpened puncture rod that extends past the distal tip of the lumen, for rapid deflation of a balloon. Various embodiments hasten the deflation process and simplify the manipulation required by the surgeon.
1. A method for retrieving an intragastric balloon from a stomach of a patient, comprising:
a) providing an intragastric balloon retrieval tool having an elongated shaft terminating at a coiled body having a pointed end configured to puncture the intragastric balloon;
b) advancing the retrieval tool through a gastrointestinal tract of the patient to the stomach of the patient;
c) contacting the coiled body of the retrieval tool against the intragastric balloon within the stomach;
d) puncturing the intragastric balloon to deflate the intragastric balloon; and
e) withdrawing the deflated intragastric balloon from the stomach with the retrieval tool.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the puncturing includes (i) pressing the pointed end of the coiled body against the intragastric balloon and (ii) rotating the retrieval tool relative to the intragastric balloon.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the coiled body engages a wall of the intragastric balloon during retrieval.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the intragastric balloon comprises a silicone wall.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the coiled body has a cylindrical shape.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the coiled body has a conical shape.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the coil body is constructed of a shape memory material.
8. A method for retrieving an intragastric balloon from a stomach of a patient, comprising:
a) providing a system including,
i) an elongated delivery tube having a lumen, and
ii) a balloon retrieval tool disposed and able to be longitudinally displaced within the delivery tube lumen, the retrieval tool having an elongated shaft terminating at a helically advanceable element and having a pointed end configured to puncture the intragastric balloon;
b) advancing the system into a gastrointestinal tract to the stomach;
c) puncturing the intragastric balloon within the stomach; and
d) withdrawing the intragastric balloon from the stomach of the patient.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the helically advanceable element is a coil.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the coil is constructed of a shape memory material.
11. A method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
at least partially retracting the coil into the delivery tube.
12. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising:
fully retracting the coil into the delivery tube.
13. A method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the puncturing of the intragastric balloon includes rotating the helically advanceable element into the balloon.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein:
the puncturing of the intragastric balloon further includes rotating the helically advanceable element relative to the delivery tube.