Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Implantable prosthesis – Hollow or tubular part or organ
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-25
2004-06-29
McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Implantable prosthesis
Hollow or tubular part or organ
Reexamination Certificate
active
06755869
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a resilient, flexible, compressible, biocompatible prosthesis insertable into the stomach to effect weight loss over a controlled period.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The incidence of obesity and its associated health-related problems have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. See, for example, P. C. Mun et al., “Current Status of Medical and Surgical Therapy for Obesity”
Gastroenterology
120:669-681 (2001). Recent investigations suggest that the causes of obesity involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, psycho-behavioral, endocrine, metabolic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. Severe obesity is frequently associated with significant comorbid medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, gallstones, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea.
Estimates of the incidence of morbid obesity are approximately 2% of the U.S. population and 0.5% worldwide. Current treatments range from diet, exercise, behavioral modification, and pharmacotherapy to various types of surgery, with varying risks and efficacy. In general, nonsurgical modalities, although less invasive, achieve only relatively short-term and limited weight loss in most patients. Surgical treatments include gastroplasty to restrict the capacity of the stomach to hold large amounts of food, such as by stapling or “gastric banding.” Other surgical procedures include gastric bypass and gastric “balloons” which, when deflated, may be inserted into the stomach and then are distended by filling with saline solution.
The need exists for cost effective, less invasive interventions for the treatment of morbid obesity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel system for treatment of morbid obesity by use of a bioabsorbable gastric prosthesis placed in the stomach through a minimally invasive procedure. The prosthesis takes up space in the stomach so that the stomach can hold a limited amount of food, and preferably exerts pressure on the upper fundus to create a sensation of being full. The material of the prosthesis can be selected to degrade over a predetermined period and pass out of the patient without additional intervention.
In the preferred embodiment, the prosthesis is a porous weave of bioabsorbable filaments having an open mesh configuration. The prosthesis can be formed from a cylindrical stent, such as by reverting the ends of the cylinder and joining them at the center. The filaments preferably have memory characteristics tending to maintain an oblate shape with sufficient resiliency and softness so as not to unduly interfere with normal flexing of the stomach or cause abrasion of the mucus coat constituting the inner lining of the stomach. The prosthesis may be free floating in the stomach, but is shaped so as to be biased against the upper fundus, or it may be tacked in position adjacent to the fundus by bioabsorbable sutures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4648383 (1987-03-01), Angelchik
patent: 5306300 (1994-04-01), Berry
Benjamin, S.B., et al., “Double-Blind Controlled Trial of the Garren-Edwards Gastric Bubble: An Adjunctive Treatment for Exogenous Obesity,”Gastroenterology 95(3):581-588, Sep. 1988.
Coelho, J.C.U., and Campos, A.C.L., “Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity,”Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 4(3):201-206, May 2001.
Hubert, H.B., et al., “Obesity as an Independent Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease: A 26-year Follow-up of Participants in the Framingham Heart Study,”Circulation 67(5):968-977, May 1983.
Kral, J.G., “Gastric Balloons: A Plea for Sanity in the Midst of Balloonacy,”Gastroenterology 95(1):213-215, Jul. 1988.
Kral, J.G., “Overview of Surgical Techniques for Treating Obesity,”American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 55(2):552S-555S, 1992.
Macgregor, A.M.C., and Rand, C.S.W, “Gastric Surgery in Morbid Obesity,”Archives of Surgery 128(10):1153-1157, Oct. 1993.
MacLean, L.D., et al., “Results of the Surgical Treatment of Obesity,”The American Journal of Surgery 165:155-162, Jan. 1993.
Mathus-Vliegen, E.M.H., et al., “Intragastric Balloon in the Treatment of Super-morbid Obesity,”Gastroenterology 99(2):362-369, Aug. 1990.
Meshkinpour, H., et al., “Effect of Gastric Bubble as a Weight Reduction Device: A Controlled, Crossover Study,”Gastroenterology 95(3):589-592, Sep. 1988.
Mun, E.C., et al., “Current Status of Medical and Surgical Therapy for Obesity,”Gastroenterology 120(3):669-681, Feb. 2001.
Pi-Sunyer, F.X., “Medical Hazards of Obesity,”Annals of Internal Medicine 119(7):655-660, Oct. 1993.
Boston Scientific Corporation
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Matthews William H.
McDermott Corrine
LandOfFree
Intragastric prosthesis for the treatment of morbid obesity does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Intragastric prosthesis for the treatment of morbid obesity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Intragastric prosthesis for the treatment of morbid obesity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3307615