MULTI-INJECTION POLYMER BARIATRIC CLAMP AND METHOD OF ITS INSTALLATION

Claims

1. A bariatric clamp comprising a septum-forming portion and a channel-forming portion, wherein the bariatric clamp is configured to be positioned in an open position and a closed position, wherein the partition-forming portion comprises a first elongated element and a second elongated element separated by at least a first distance; and wherein the channel-forming section comprises a curved portion, wherein the curved portion comprises: a first curved portion at the distal end of the first elongated element and comprises a first element extending in a first direction at least partially from the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp; a second curved portion at the distal end of the second elongated element, and comprises a second element extending in a second direction at least partially from the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp; a third element extending from a first curved portion that extends in a first direction at least partially from the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp, and a fourth element extending from a second curved portion that extends in a second direction at least partially from the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp, wherein the third element and the fourth element are separated by at least a second distance; and a flexible hinge connecting the third and fourth elements; Moreover, when the bariatric clamp is in the closed position, the second distance is greater than the first distance.

2. The bariatric clamp of claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge connecting the third and fourth elements is elastically extensible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp.

3. The bariatric clamp of claim 1, further comprising: an opening at least partially defined by the channel-forming portion and at least a portion of the septum-forming portion, wherein the opening has at least one dimension that is larger in the septum-forming portion than in the channel-forming portion.

4. The bariatric clamp of claim 3, wherein the opening is larger in the first dimension than in the second dimension, wherein the second dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension.

5. The bariatric clamp of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member has a first thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first elongated member, and wherein the second elongated member has a second thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface of the second elongated member.

6. The bariatric clamp of claim 1, further comprising: an engagement portion located adjacent to the first elongated member, wherein the engagement portion is configured to engage a fastening portion to hold the bariatric clamp in a closed position.

7. The bariatric clamp of claim 6, further comprising: a fastening portion located adjacent to the second elongated member, wherein the fastening portion includes one or more openings configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement portion.

8. The bariatric clamp of claim 7, wherein the first distance is adjustable by disengaging the engagement portion from the fastening portion and re-engaging the engagement portion with the fastening portion to hold the bariatric clamp in the second closed position.

9. The bariatric clamp of claim 6, wherein the engagement portion is incorporated into the first elongated portion.

10. The bariatric clamp of claim 6, wherein the engagement portion comprises a hook-shaped element located toward the proximal end of the first elongated element.

11. A bariatric clamp having a central longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to an opposite distal end of the bariatric clamp, wherein the bariatric clamp comprises: first elongated element; a first curved portion connected to the distal end of the first elongated element; a second elongated element connected to the first curved section; third elongated element; a second curved portion connected to the distal end of the third elongated element; a fourth elongated element connected to the second curved portion; and a curved element connecting the second elongated element to the fourth elongated element, wherein the curved element is elastically extensible in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp when the bariatric clamp is in the closed position.

12. The bariatric clamp of claim 11, wherein the curved member comprises a hinge with flexibility in at least two degrees of freedom.

13. The bariatric clamp of claim 11, wherein the curved member comprises a hinge with flexibility in at least three degrees of freedom.

14. The bariatric clamp of claim 11, wherein the curved member comprises a polymer.

15. The bariatric clamp of claim 11, wherein at least one of the second elongated member and the fourth elongated member comprises an overmolded polymer.

16. The bariatric clamp of claim 15, wherein the curved member comprises an overmolded polymer.

17. A bariatric clamp having a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the bariatric clamp comprises: a first elongated portion having a first substrate element at least partially overlapped by the first polymeric portion; a second elongated portion having a second substrate element at least partially overlapped by the second polymeric portion; and a curved portion having a hinge connecting the first and second elongated portions, wherein the hinge is at least partially formed from a third polymeric portion, wherein the curved portion is elastically extensible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bariatric clamp when the bariatric clamp is in the closed position.

18. The bariatric clamp of claim 17, further comprising a connection located in the direction of the distal end of the first and second elongated portions, and wherein the connection is configured to connect the distal end of the first elongated portion to the distal end of the second elongated portion.

19. The bariatric clamp of claim 17, further comprising a fastening portion located adjacent to the first elongated portion and an engaging portion located adjacent to the second elongated portion, wherein the fastening portion comprises one or more openings configured to receive at least a portion of the engaging portion.

20. The bariatric clamp of claim 17, wherein the first polymeric portion, the second polymeric portion, and the third polymeric portion are formed as a single polymeric portion.