Gastric constriction device
A gastric constriction device ( 160 ) comprises a sheet ( 131 ) extending over part of the wall of the stomach ( 24 ). Five bands ( 151 ) extend around the stomach ( 24 ) to fix the sheet ( 131 ) in position relative to the stomach ( 24 ). The lower two bands ( 151 ) extend from the first side ( 152 ) of the sheet ( 131 ) around the stomach ( 24 ) only partially towards the second side ( 153 ). These lower two bands ( 151 ) are not fixed to the second side ( 153 ). This arrangement results in an unconstricted portion of the stomach ( 161 ). In this manner, the device ( 160 ) restricts expansion of the majority of the stomach wall while facilitating expansion of this unconstricted portion ( 161 ). The unconstricted portion ( 161 ) is therefore free to expand or bulge outwardly upon ingestion. This expansion may trigger the feeling of satiation due to the presence of the vagal nerves in this portion ( 161 ) of the stomach ( 24 ).
1. A method of constricting the volume of a stomach, the method comprising the steps of:
sealing an entry to the stomach at the oesophagus, wherein the sealing is effected by inflating a sealing member;
applying a suction to the interior of the stomach to at least partially collapse the stomach from a normal volume to a reduced volume;
positioning a gastric constriction device relative to the stomach; and
releasing the suction;
wherein the gastric constriction device then applies a constricting force to the stomach to constrict the volume of the stomach.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises a step of inserting a collapsing device at least partially into the interior of the stomach before sealing an entry to the stomach at the oesophagus.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises a step of sealing an exit from the stomach at the pylorus before applying suction.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending at least partially around the stomach.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending at least partially around the stomach in a loop.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending at least partially around the stomach in a spiral.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending over at least part of the wall of the stomach.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending over only part of the wall of the stomach.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device is positioned extending over substantially the entire wall of the stomach to enclose the stomach.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a first part of the gastric constriction device is positioned extending at least partially around the stomach, and a second part of the gastric constriction device is positioned extending over at least part of the wall of the stomach.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first part is positioned between the second part and the wall of the stomach.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of fixing the gastric constriction device in position relative to the stomach.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of adjusting the constricting force applied to the stomach.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gastric constriction device restricts expansion of a first region of the stomach wall and facilitates expansion of a second region of the stomach wall.
15. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method comprises the step of stimulating gastric nerves.