Self-Inflating Intragastric Balloon with Controlled Gas Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intragastric volume-occupying devices for obesity treatment face challenges such as complex insertion procedures, lack of control over inflation timing, and potential for premature deflation or uncontrolled volume changes, which can lead to device failure and reduced efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A free-floating intragastric balloon with a polymeric wall that maintains or adjusts its volume and internal pressure within predetermined ranges over time, using a self-inflating or inflatable design, allowing for controlled gas diffusion to accommodate stomach size changes, and can be swallowed without invasive procedures, with optional tracking and visualization features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple swallowable design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to lack of control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed to self-inflate automatically after being swallowed, eliminating the need for complex insertion procedures or manual inflation mechanisms. The device serves itself by utilizing the natural swallowing action to deliver and deploy the balloon, reducing both procedural complexity and device complexity simultaneously
2Productivity
If the balloon is made deflatable for weight loss, then treatment efficacy is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to premature deflation
Solution Approach 1:
The deflation capability is extracted as a separate, controlled function that only activates after the treatment period. The balloon maintains its inflation state during the treatment phase through a one-way valve mechanism, and deflation is only possible through a controlled release mechanism after the predetermined time, preventing premature deflation while enabling weight loss treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon is pre-filled with gas during manufacturing before being delivered to the patient. This preliminary inflation ensures the balloon is ready for immediate use upon swallowing, eliminating the need for in-situ inflation and ensuring consistent treatment efficacy from the start
3Productivity
If the balloon volume is increased for better satiety, then treatment efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases due to stress management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to achieve the desired volume for satiety while naturally managing internal stress. The wall thickness, material elasticity, and gas pressure are optimized parameters that enable large volume without requiring complex stress management mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution minimizes stress on the device, preventing premature deflation and ensuring consistent volume and pressure profiles, enhancing treatment efficacy while avoiding invasive procedures and providing controlled inflation and deflation mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric wall is configured to have, under in vivo conditions, a permeability to CO2 of more than 10 cc/m2/day
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.