Anti-obesity devices
Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
1. A delivery apparatus for delivering a gastrointestinal device, the apparatus comprising:
a gastrointestinal device comprising a tube;
a shaft extending through the tube, the shaft configured to pass through a length of the intestines and to deliver the gastrointestinal device;
an atraumatic element distal to and releasably coupled to a distal tip of the shaft; and
a release mechanism that releasably engages the atraumatic element to retain the atraumatic element on the distal tip of the shaft, the release mechanism comprising a moveable element, the atraumatic element being released from the distal tip of the shaft and the moveable element by movement of the moveable element, the shaft including first and second holes near its distal tip, the moveable element exiting the shaft via the first hole and re-entering the shaft via the second hole.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft and gastrointestinal device are disposed within a guide tube, the guide tube configured to guide movement of the shaft and gastrointestinal device.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the guide tube guides the passage of the shaft and gastrointestinal device through a length of the stomach.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic element is remotely releasable.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the atraumatic element comprises a ball.
6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the atraumatic element is inflatable.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic element is attached to a loop which is held by the release mechanism.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic element is larger in diameter than the shaft.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the atraumatic element is 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches in diameter.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft is a catheter having a lumen therein.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft has a minimum bend radius of less than 0.5 inches without kinking.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moveable element extends along a first lumen in the shaft and a wire extends along a second lumen in the shaft.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moveable element extends between the first and second holes through a loop attached to the atraumatic element.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moveable element extends along a length of the inner shaft and is longitudinally moveable within the shaft.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moveable element is a wire.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic element is released by movement of the moveable element away from the atraumatic element.
17. A method of delivering a gastrointestinal device, the method comprising:
passing a shaft through a length of the intestines, the shaft having an atraumatic element distal to and releasably coupled to a distal tip of the shaft and having a release mechanism that releasably engages the atraumatic element to retain the atraumatic element on the distal tip of the shaft;
releasing the atraumatic element from the shaft and the release mechanism, the release mechanism comprising a moveable element, the atraumatic element being released from the distal tip of the shaft and the moveable element by movement of the moveable element, the shaft including first and second holes near its distal tip, the moveable element exiting the shaft via the first hole and re-entering the shaft via the second hole; and
delivering the gastrointestinal device over the shaft, the gastrointestinal device comprising a tube extending over the shaft.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the shaft and gastrointestinal device are disposed within a guide tube, the guide tube configured to guide movement of the shaft and gastrointestinal device.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the guide tube guides the passage of the shaft and gastrointestinal device through a length of the stomach.
20. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the shaft is disposed within a lumen of the gastrointestinal device.
21. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element is remotely releasable.
22. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element comprises a ball.
23. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element is inflatable.
24. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element is attached to a loop which is held by the release mechanism.
25. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element is larger in diameter than the shaft.
26. The method according to claim 25 , wherein the atraumatic element is 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches in diameter.
27. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the shaft is a catheter having a lumen therein.
28. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the shaft has a minimum bend radius of less than 0.5 inches without kinking.
29. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the moveable element extends along a first lumen in the shaft and a wire extends along a second lumen in the shaft.
30. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the moveable element extends between the first and second holes through a loop attached to the atraumatic element.
31. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the moveable element extends along a length of the inner shaft and is longitudinally moveable within the shaft.
32. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the atraumatic element is released by movement of the moveable element away from the atraumatic element.
33. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the gastrointestinal device is delivered through an incision in the stomach.