46 results about "Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding" patented technology

An implantable medical device, such as a bi-directional infuser device for hydraulically controlling an artificial sphincter (e.g., adjustable gastric band) benefits from being remotely powered by transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), obviating the need for batteries. In order for active components in the medical device to operate, a sinusoidal power signal received by a secondary coil is rectified and filtered. An amount of power transferred is modulated. In one version, a voltage comparison is made of a resulting power supply voltage as referenced to a threshold to control pulse width modulation (PWM) of the received sinusoidal power signal, achieving voltage regulation. Versions incorporate detuning or uncoupling of the secondary coil to achieve PWM control without causing excessive heating of the medical device.

Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.

A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume in a gastric band. A piezoelectrically driven (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic case such as titanium.

A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume in a gastric band. A piezoelectrically driven (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic case such as titanium.

A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume for hydraulic control of a gastric band. A piezoelectric driver (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic enclosure or case such as titanium. Directly sensing a position of the metal bellows yields an accurate reading of volume contained therein, allowing for closed-loop control of the gastric band.

An implantable artificial sphincter system provides long-term adjustment via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), minimizing invasive adjustment through adding or removing fluid via a syringe. An infuser device provides bi-directional fluid transfer via a flexible conduit to a sphincter band, such as a gastric band, by a combination of thermodynamic actuation and a piezo-electrically disengaged drum brake assembly that thereby achieves a desirable small volume device. A propellant within a propellant cavity surrounds a metal bellows accumulator biased at body temperature to either expand or collapse the bellows accumulator with the opposite direction of movement effected by a thermal element that heats in combination with a negatively-biased propellant or cools in combination with a positively-biased propellant. A drum brake assembly locks the metal bellows accumulator in place between adjustments by thermodynamic actuation by activating piezo-electric stack actuators that disengage calipers from a brake drum attached to the bellows accumulator.

Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.

A surgically implantable fluid adjustable device, such as an adjustable gastric band, having an elongated substantially flexible inflatable portion, and an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion attached to the inflatable portion. The device further includes a member for changing the shape of the device from a straight configuration to a curved configuration after being implanted within a body.

A restriction system, such as an adjustable gastric band, for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The system includes a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction. The system further includes an implanted port connected to the restriction device. The port contains a working fluid for affecting the size of the restriction. The system further includes a pressure sensing system in communication with the working fluid for measuring the pressure of the working fluid and transmitting pressure measurement data to an external monitor.

A releasably-securable gastric band (12) having a tail end (10a) and a head end (10b) for receiving the tail end (10a) is disclosed. The gastric band (12) also includes a releasable locking means (20) that releasably secures the head (10b) and tail ends (10a) together. The tail end (10a) may include a tooth (14) and the head end (10b) may include a notch (22) for engaging the tooth (14). Upon insertion of the tail end (10a) into the head end (10b), the tooth (14) mates with the notch (22) and releasably locks the tail end (10a) in the head end (10b). The releasably-securable gastric band (12) includes a release tab (24). When force is applied to the release tab (24) in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band (12), the tooth (14) is disengaged from the notch (22) to allow the gastric band (12) to be released.

A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an inner ring expanding with injected fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the inner ring. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable inner ring and to a controller that can operate the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure being set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band. An elongated fluid reservoir may extend along a substantial part of a fill tube. A balloon-like expandable fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump assembly may store a volume of the fluid for adjusting the volume of fluid in the lumen. A protective outer sheath may be provided around the exterior of an expandable fluid reservoir in both a first, deflated state, and a second, inflated state of the reservoir.

An implanted fluid access port locator system for adjustable gastric bands. The system may include an access port having an RFID tag with its antenna adjacent to the receiving portion of the port. An external locator with radio frequency transmitter / receiver circuitry sends read or interrogation signals to the RFID tag and may send write signals to the tag to write treatment data to memory of the RFID tag. The locator may include an antenna array with four patch antenna arranged in pairs to model two monopulse radar antenna systems. The locator also includes processor(s) and logic modules / circuitry for processing the tag response signals received by the antenna array to determine location information for the RFID tag and associated port, i.e., to identify the center of the port relative to the antennae array or array face such as with strength and direction information relative to the array face. A method of locating implanted fluid access port includes providing radio frequency transmitter / receiver circuitry on the access port and manipulating a handheld locator outside the body to pinpoint the position and orientation of the access port. A mark may be made with a handheld locator to direct insertion of a needle for adding or removing fluid from an implanted system through the access port.

A surgically implantable fluid adjustable device, such as an adjustable gastric band, having an elongated substantially flexible inflatable portion, and an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion attached to the inflatable portion. The device further includes a member for changing the shape of the device from a straight configuration to a curved configuration after being implanted within a body.

A food intake restriction device for forming a restriction in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The device includes a food intake restriction device implanted substantially about a patient's gastro-intestinal tract to form a restricted opening in the tract. A port is connected to the restriction device. The port contains a working fluid for affecting the size of the restricted opening. A pressure sensing system communicates with the working fluid to measure the pressure of the working fluid. A transmitter communicates the measured fluid pressure to the external monitor.

A remotely adjustable gastric band system is provided. The system includes a gastric band, an implantable fluid reservoir, and a fluid handling device including a piezoelectric pump, and a drive or controller assembly. The piezoelectric pump includes a diaphragm having a compressible spring positioned at an actuator side of the diaphragm, and a space occupying layer disposed between the compressible spring and the actuator side.

A gastric restrictive device positionable around a human stomach to limit the flow of food therethrough is provided with structure for facilitating suturing of the gastric restrictive device to the stomach and thereby preventing movement of the gastric restrictive device relative to the stomach.

A releasably-securable gastric band (12) having a tail end (10a) and a head end (10b) for receiving the tail end (10a) is disclosed. The gastric band (12) also includes a releasable locking means (20) that releasably secures the head (10b) and tail ends (10a) together. The tail end (10a) may include a tooth (14) and the head end (10b) may include a notch (22) for engaging the tooth (14). Upon insertion of the tail end (10a) into the head end (10b), the tooth (14) mates with the notch (22) and releasably locks the tail end (10a) in the head end (10b). The releasably-securable gastric band (12) includes a release tab (24). When force is applied to the release tab (24) in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band (12), the tooth (14) is disengaged from the notch (22) to allow the gastric band (12) to be released.

A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an expandable portion containing a volume of fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the expandable portion. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable portion and to a controller that operates the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure is set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band.