Surgery – Blood drawn and replaced or treated and returned to body – Constituent removed from blood and remainder returned to body
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-02-20
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Blood drawn and replaced or treated and returned to body
Constituent removed from blood and remainder returned to body
C604S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190347
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to medical devices and methods of removing one or more materials from the lymphatic fluid in a living being's body, and more particularly to systems and methods for effecting cholesterol and weight reduction of living beings by removing cholesterol and fat from the lymphatic fluid thereof.
High levels of cholesterol are linked with atherosclerosis. In many individuals, cholesterol can be maintained at desirable levels through diet and/or medication. However, some individuals cannot adhere to dietary rules and some individuals do not respond well to drug therapy.
Obesity control is of considerable concern to the medical community, as well as to the public at large, for medical as well as cosmetic reasons. While sensible eating and exercise are deemed to be the best methods for effecting weight loss and maintaining a desired weight, for many persons such techniques are unsuccessful or unavailing.
Although my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,143 provides means for addressing similar needs, there is still room for alternative systems and methods for controlling cholesterol and obesity.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide systems and methods of use which address the foregoing needs.
It is another object of this invention to provide systems and methods of use for effecting the removal of one or more predetermined materials found in the lymphatic fluid by draining a portion of that fluid from the being's body.
It is a further object of this invention to provide systems and methods of use for effecting the removal of cholesterol and fat from the body of a being by drainage of a portion of lymphatic fluid from the being's body.
It is a further object of this invention to provide implantable systems and methods of use for effecting the removal of cholesterol, fat or other lymphatic carried components from the body of a being by filtration and drainage of a portion of lymphatic fluid from the being's body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing methods and systems for removing at least one predetermined material, e.g., cholesterol or fat, from the body of a living being by gaining access to a duct through which lymphatic fluid containing the material flows, and withdrawing the lymphatic fluid and the material from the duct.
The system is implantable within the being's body and basically comprises a filter and first, second and third conduit means. The first conduit means, e.g., an elongated flexible catheter, is configured to be located within the body of the being, e.g., is suitable for location within the vascular system, and coupled to a duct having lymphatic fluid flowing therethrough so that said lymphatic fluid flows into the conduit means. The first conduit means, e.g., a proximal portion thereof, is coupled to the filter for carrying the lymphatic fluid to said filter. The filter is operable, e.g., utilizes gravity and/or the hydraulic pressures generated by the being, to cause the material to be removed, e.g., the cholesterol and/or fat, in the lymphatic fluid to be separated therefrom, whereupon that material can be removed from the body of the being.
The second conduit is coupled to the filter and to a first internal portion of the body of the being, e.g., the peritoneum, a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, the venous system, or the lung, for carrying the lymphatic fluid remaining after the separation of the material to be removed therefrom to that first internal portion for reabsorption thereby. Such action can be carried out continuously or repeatedly at regular or irregular intervals. The third conduit is coupled to the filter and to a second internal portion of the body of the being, e.g., the urinary bladder, for carrying the material to be removed, after it has been separated from the lymphatic fluid, to the second internal portion for excretion thereby.
In accordance with the method of this invention, the first conduit is coupled to a duct within the body of the being having lymphatic fluid flowing therethrough so that fluid flows into and through the first conduit, whereupon the at least one material to be removed within the lymphatic fluid is removed from the body of the being continually, i.e., continuously or repeatedly at regular or irregular intervals, over an extended period of time.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6022333 (2000-02-01), Kensey
Caesar Rivise Bernstein Cohen & Pokotilow Ltd.
Cho David J.
S.L.I.M. Tech, Ltd.
Weiss John G.
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