Endoscopic implantable device and method for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume in a weight loss surgery procedure

Abstract

The present invention is referred to an endoscopic implantable device for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume, comprising a cylindrical elongated body comprising two hinged halves, each of which having a plurality of suction nozzles and a set of aligned grabbing teeth. Said suction nozzles have a fluid communication with a suction port of the endoscopic apparatus used to place said device into the patient's stomach, and the mentioned teeth of each half cooperate between each other to grab and keep the walls of the stomach together until the device is dissolved by the gastric fluids present in the stomach. The purposed invention also comprises a method for joining internal body tissue.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to an endoscopic implantable device and method capable of delivering, during a weight loss surgery procedure, a functional device through the patient's esophagus and to the stomach where it is attached to the stomach walls. More particularly, the present invention is referred to an endoscopic implantable device for the apposition of the stomach walls by delivering the device to the stomach, opening it up, creating a suction effect for attracting the stomach walls, closing it and leaving the device into the stomach reducing the internal volume of the stomach. Even more particularly, the present invention is referred to a method for the apposition of different types of tissue, including but not limited to, the stomach walls, fistulas, hemorrhages, etc.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]A main object of the present invention is to provide an implantable device for reducing the stomach volume without having to stitch the stomach walls, using a procedure that only takes several minutes with no risk to the patient's life.

[0020]Another object of the present invention is to provide a bariatric method for reducing the stomach internal volume by means of a rapid and easy procedure involving the placement of an implant into the stomach which grabs the stomach walls and keeps them together until the surgeon decides to take it out of the stomach or until the gastric fluids dissolve it.

[0022]According to another aspect of the invention, a tissue apposition device is provided having longitudinal flexibility that is easily navigable through a natural body lumen while mounted at the distal end of an elongated tube.

[0024]Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for reducing the internal volume of an overweight patient, especially useful for patients that are 60-80 lbs overweight.

Problems solved by technology

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy.

The medical costs attributable to obesity are almost entirely a result of costs generated from treating the diseases that obesity promotes.

Even though all the above mentioned methods and devices represent a partial solution, they are very invasive and sometimes the patient needs to be hospitalized for a couple of days.

The risks are higher than recommended or the costs and time involved for the procedure are extremely high.

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