Importance

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Abstract

Gastrointestinal implants can be used to secure thin-walled sleeves, restrictor plates, and other devices within the gastrointestinal tract. An example implant includes three elements: a stomach anchor to resist distally oriented forces; a duodenal anchor to resist proximally oriented forces; and a connector element to keep the stomach anchor fixed relative to the stomach anchor. The implant is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract with a delivery device that holds the implant in a compressed state for minimally invasive delivery until the implant is positioned properly. Upon releasing from the delivery device, the implant expands to a relaxed state across the pylorus, allowing prongs that extending outward from the stomach and duodenal anchors to engage tissue in the gastrointestinal tract. The deployed implant may also include a thin-walled sleeve that extends into the intestine from the stomach anchor, duodenal anchor, or connector element.

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First Claim