Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A gastric banding device for implantation within a person for the treatment of morbid obesity. The gastric banding device includes an inflatable band portion dimensioned to encircle the stomach and an inflation conduit operable for conducting a percutaneously injected inflation fluid into the band portion. The band portion is a toroidal member having a head end with first fastening means thereon and a tail end having second fastening means thereon and an inflatable shell therebetween. The outer surface of the toroidal shell in reinforced with a non-extensible, biocompatible material which serves to limit outward expansion of the shell when an inflation fluid is injected thereinto. The inner, stomach-contacting surface of the shell has a layer of an open-cell elastomeric foam affixed thereto and integral therewith. In operation, when the band is placed in an encircling relationship with the stomach, the first and second fastening means on the ends of the shell are engaged in locking relationship. An inflation fluid is injected into the shell by means of a subcutaneously implanted injection port that is in fluid communication with the inflation conduit. As the shell expands inwardly, it constricts and compartmentalizes the stomach. The rough textured, open-cell, stomach-contacting layer on the interior surface of the shell prevents post-implantation migration of the shell. The open-cell layer obviates the need for suturing the stomach to prevent slippage of the banding device.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim