Importance

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Abstract

The intra-gastric weight loss system apparatus and method of the present invention includes an intra-gastric elastomeric rubber balloon with self-sealing fill valve, to be placed and retrieved without surgery. As a benign space-occupying device, it will decrease gastric capacity to the point that saiety (the feeling of fullness) will occur after very little food has been consumed. Thus, the advantages of gastric and intestinal by-pass surgery will be realized, without surgery and the many resulting complications thereof. The elastomeric balloon is inflated with a liquid, preferably a saline solution containing an X-ray contrast media. The balloon is placed in a person's stomach by passing a naso-gastric tube through the mouth. The N-G tube has a previously placed nylon pull string through the lumen and back up the exterior. After this, a metal stylette is run down the lumen to very near the end of the N-G tube. The rolled up balloon with fill tube attached is inserted into a rubber finger cot attached to the pull string. By pulling the string the balloon containing finger cot is drawn down into the stomach. After placement in the stomach the stylette is removed and the balloon is inflated with liquid. Inflation causes the rubber finger cot to roll up and remove itself. Then the fill tube is withdrawn and the pull string with the finger cot attached is withdrawn. The balloon is now free-floating in the person's stomach without any tube attached. Regular check-ups, administration of food supplements, etc., follow thereafter. When the desired weight loss has been achieved the balloon can be easily deflated, and passed in normal fashion, or removed by use of a gastroscope and snaring of an attached withdrawal loop on the balloon.

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First Claim