External Stomach Volume Filling Device for Obesity Treatment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing obesity treatment methods, such as gastric banding and inflatable gastric devices, face challenges including short-term effectiveness due to destruction by stomach acids and the need for invasive surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising at least one volume filling device that is invaginated by the stomach wall on its outside, protecting it from stomach acids and allowing it to remain functional for a long time. The device reduces the size of the stomach's food cavity, thereby treating obesity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a balloon-like object is inserted into the stomach to treat obesity, then the patient feels satiety quickly, but the device is destroyed by stomach acids within a couple of months

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the volume filling device inside the stomach where it contacts stomach acids, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the device outside the stomach and invaginating the stomach wall over it. This protects the device from acid exposure while maintaining the satiety effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stomach wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the volume filling device and the stomach acids. By invaginating the stomach wall over the device, it shields the device from harmful acid contact while allowing the device to function externally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If an inflatable balloon is surgically implanted adjacent to the stomach to compress the stomach, then satiety is produced, but the procedure requires invasive surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by placing the volume filling device outside the stomach and invaginating the stomach wall over it, rather than implanting the device inside or adjacent to the stomach. This reduces surgical invasiveness while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stomach wall is invaginated over the volume filling device, creating a nested configuration where the stomach wall encompasses the device. This nesting approach allows the device to function externally protected by the stomach wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If gastric banding is performed to restrict food flow, then obesity is treated, but the stomach capacity is permanently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The volume filling device can be dynamically adjusted in size by injecting or removing fluid, allowing the stomach capacity to be modified without permanent structural changes. This provides adaptability while preserving stomach integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment approach changes the parameter of stomach capacity temporarily through the external volume filling device rather than permanently altering stomach structure through banding. The device volume can be adjusted to achieve desired capacity reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250195199A1Obesity treatment

Publication Date: 2025.06.19

AI summary

A volume filling device for treatment of obesity is placed outside the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patient's appetite. By providing the volume filling device outside the stomach wall, contact with stomach acids is avoided, thereby increasing the life of the device.