Gastric retaining devices and methods

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems facilitate gastric retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve or esophagus wherein a retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 833,950, filed on Apr. 27, 2004, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 671,191, filed Sep. 24, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 490,421, filed Jul. 28, 2003. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 525,105, filed Nov. 26, 2003. The full disclosures of all applications cited in this paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods. More specifically, the invention relates to devices and methods for partially and / or intermittently obstructing a pyloric valve to decrease gastric emptying, such as for treating obesity. [0004] Obesity has become a medical problem of epidemic proportions in t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention provides devices, methods and systems for obstructing or occluding a pyloric valve to provide weight loss and in some cases treat or ameliorate obesity. Devices are generally delivered into the stomach where they expand or are expanded to partially and / or intermittently obstruct or occlude the pyloric valve. By partially or intermittently obstructing or occluding the pyloric valve, contents of the stomach (i.e., food) are retained longer in the stomach, thus causing a patient to feel full sooner and longer, and thus leading to reduced food intake and to weight loss.

Problems solved by technology

By partially or intermittently obstructing or occluding the pyloric valve, contents of the stomach (i.e., food) are retained longer in the stomach, thus causing a patient to feel full sooner and longer, and thus leading to reduced food intake and to weight loss.

In other embodiments the obstructing device may dissolve over time and pass harmlessly through the digestive tract.

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