US5449368A — Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding device an…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 167 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end and an intermediate portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of the remainder of said band member; an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening; a securing member located near said free end of said band member and protruding outwardly therefrom; a recess, formed in said intermediate portion of said band member, for receiving said securing member therein; and means, including a movable control member separate from said securing member, for positively retaining said securing member in said recess so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 167 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end and an intermediate portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of the remainder of said band member; an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening; a securing member located near said free end of said band member and protruding outwardly therefrom; a recess, formed in said intermediate portion of said band member, for receiving said securing member therein; and means, including a movable control member separate from said securing member, for positively retaining said securing member in said recess so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central member comprises a moveable bolt for releasably retaining said securing member in said recess.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said securing member includes a threaded hole therein in which said bolt is received.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bolt comprises a distal part of an elongate control element located within said band member and extending longitudinally thereof.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control element includes a proximal end which extends beyond said band member for allowing remotely controlled release of securing member from said recess by movement of said bolt.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 57 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a guiding plate, located within said band member of on one side of said recess, for guiding the movement of said bolt, and a holding plate located within said band member on the other side of said recess, for retaining the free end of said bolt.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

A gastric banding device as recited in claim 1, wherein said expandable section comprises an expandable member extending around substantially the entire circumference of said band portion that, in use, encircles the stomach wall.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said expandable section includes reinforcement in the sidewalls thereof.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 53 words

A gastric banding device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a remotely disposed fluid injection unit in fluid connection with said expandable section through said band member such that the size of the stoma opening can be altered by adding or withdrawing fluid to cause expansion and retraction of said expandable section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising barrier means for preventing tissue from growing around said securing member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said barrier means comprises a soft sponge-like silicone barrier element.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a thin loop extending around a peripheral surface of said securing member which is received in said recess for ensuring a secure fit between said securing member and said recess.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 286 words

A method for removing a gastric band device including an encircling band portion encircling a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for retaining a locking element projecting from said gastric band device at a location near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate location along said gastric banding device so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, located in the abdominal muscle wall at the proximal end of said gastric band device, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: providing an incision in the abdominal muscle wall at the location of said expansion control means; retracting said securing means so as to release said locking element from said recess; cutting said elongate band portion close to said recess on a side of said recess opposite said expandable section, with said securing means sufficiently retracted such that the securing means is not severed by said cutting, so as to produce a cut portion of said elongate band portion; removing both said expansion control means and said cut portion of said elongate band portion through said incision; and laparoscopically removing the remainder of said gastric band device containing said recess and said expandable section at the location of said stoma opening.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 286 words

A method for removing a gastric band device including an encircling band portion encircling a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for retaining a locking element projecting from said gastric band device at a location near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate location along said gastric banding device so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, located in the abdominal muscle wall at the proximal end of said gastric band device, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: providing an incision in the abdominal muscle wall at the location of said expansion control means; retracting said securing means so as to release said locking element from said recess; cutting said elongate band portion close to said recess on a side of said recess opposite said expandable section, with said securing means sufficiently retracted such that the securing means is not severed by said cutting, so as to produce a cut portion of said elongate band portion; removing both said expansion control means and said cut portion of said elongate band portion through said incision; and laparoscopically removing the remainder of said gastric band device containing said recess and said expandable section at the location of said stoma opening.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 240 words

A method for removing a gastric band device including an encircling band portion encircling a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for retaining an outwardly projecting locking element formed integral with and projecting from said gastric band device at a location at least near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate fixed distance along said gastric banding device from said locking element so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, located in the abdominal muscle wall at the proximal end of said gastric band device, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: providing an incision in the abdominal muscle wall at the location of said expansion control means; removing said expansion control means through said incision; releasing said outwardly projecting locking element from said recess and completely removing said securing means from said gastric band device through said incision; and laparoscopically removing said gastric band device at the location of said stoma opening.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 240 words

A method for removing a gastric band device including an encircling band portion encircling a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for retaining an outwardly projecting locking element formed integral with and projecting from said gastric band device at a location at least near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate fixed distance along said gastric banding device from said locking element so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, located in the abdominal muscle wall at the proximal end of said gastric band device, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: providing an incision in the abdominal muscle wall at the location of said expansion control means; removing said expansion control means through said incision; releasing said outwardly projecting locking element from said recess and completely removing said securing means from said gastric band device through said incision; and laparoscopically removing said gastric band device at the location of said stoma opening.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 313 words

A method for laparoscopically implanting a gastric band device including an encircling band portion which, in use, encircles a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for, when the device is implanted, retaining an outwardly projecting locking element formed integral with and projecting from said gastric band device at a location at least near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate fixed distance along said gastric banding device from said locking element so that, when the band is implanted, said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, communicating with said expandable section through a channel formed in said elongate band portion, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: using an endoscope introduced into an cannula to dissect tissue surrounding the stomach to provide a path for the elongate band portion of the gastric band device; laparoscopically introducing the gastric band into the abdominal cavity such that said encircling band portion encircles the stomach and said locking element is inserted in said recess so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a fixed diameter around said stoma opening of the stomach which is predetermined prior to insertion of the locking element into the recess by said fixed distance between the locking element and the recess; operating said securing means to lock said locking element in said recess; and implanting said expansion control means in the abdominal muscle wall.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 313 words

A method for laparoscopically implanting a gastric band device including an encircling band portion which, in use, encircles a stomach so as to form a restricted stoma opening for limiting food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said gastric band device including an expandable section secured to said encircling band portion for varying the size of the stomach opening, an elongate band portion incorporating a remotely operable securing means for, when the device is implanted, retaining an outwardly projecting locking element formed integral with and projecting from said gastric band device at a location at least near the distal end of said encircling band portion in a locking position wherein said locking element is received in a recess formed at an intermediate fixed distance along said gastric banding device from said locking element so that, when the band is implanted, said encircling band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, and expansion control means, communicating with said expandable section through a channel formed in said elongate band portion, for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section, said method comprising the steps of: using an endoscope introduced into an cannula to dissect tissue surrounding the stomach to provide a path for the elongate band portion of the gastric band device; laparoscopically introducing the gastric band into the abdominal cavity such that said encircling band portion encircles the stomach and said locking element is inserted in said recess so that said encircling band portion forms a circle of a fixed diameter around said stoma opening of the stomach which is predetermined prior to insertion of the locking element into the recess by said fixed distance between the locking element and the recess; operating said securing means to lock said locking element in said recess; and implanting said expansion control means in the abdominal muscle wall.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 204 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: a band member including encircling band means for, in use, encircling a stomach in a single loop so as to form a stoma opening in the stomach; an expandable section extending completely around the entire length of said encircling band means so that, in use, the expandable section fully encircles the stoma opening; and means for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section so as to control the size of the stoma opening; said band means having a free end and said device further comprising a first interlocking securing means disposed at a first predetermined fixed position at least close to said free end and a second interlocking securing means, disposed at a second predetermined fixed position located at an intermediate portion along said band, for interlocking with said first interlocking securing means to provide securing of said free end of said band means to said intermediate portion of said band means at said second position so that the band means forms a single loop circle of predetermined fixed diameter around the stoma opening.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 204 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: a band member including encircling band means for, in use, encircling a stomach in a single loop so as to form a stoma opening in the stomach; an expandable section extending completely around the entire length of said encircling band means so that, in use, the expandable section fully encircles the stoma opening; and means for controlling expansion and contraction of said expandable section so as to control the size of the stoma opening; said band means having a free end and said device further comprising a first interlocking securing means disposed at a first predetermined fixed position at least close to said free end and a second interlocking securing means, disposed at a second predetermined fixed position located at an intermediate portion along said band, for interlocking with said first interlocking securing means to provide securing of said free end of said band means to said intermediate portion of said band means at said second position so that the band means forms a single loop circle of predetermined fixed diameter around the stoma opening.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 21 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said expandable section comprises an elongate inflatable element having reinforced walls.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A gastric banding device as recited in claim 16, further comprising releasing means for remotely releasing said securing means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 190 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end, and securing means for securing the free end of said band member to an intermediate portion of said band member so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, said securing means comprising first and second fixed interlocking means formed integrally with the band member for, when interlocked, forming said band portion into said circle of predetermined diameter; and an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening; said first interlocking means comprising a securing member located near the free end of said band member and protruding outwardly therefrom and said second interlocking means comprising a recess formed in said band member at said intermediate portion thereof for receiving said securing member therein.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 190 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end, and securing means for securing the free end of said band member to an intermediate portion of said band member so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, said securing means comprising first and second fixed interlocking means formed integrally with the band member for, when interlocked, forming said band portion into said circle of predetermined diameter; and an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening; said first interlocking means comprising a securing member located near the free end of said band member and protruding outwardly therefrom and said second interlocking means comprising a recess formed in said band member at said intermediate portion thereof for receiving said securing member therein.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said securing means further comprises retaining means separate from said securing member for positively retaining said securing member in said recess.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said retaining means comprises a moveable bolt.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 31 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said retaining means comprises a distal part of an elongate control element located within said band member and extending longitudinally thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 40 words

A gastric banding devices as claimed in claim 22, wherein said control element includes a proximal end which extends beyond said band member for allowing remotely controlled release of securing member from said recess by movement of said retaining means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 66 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said bolt has a free end, said device further comprising a guiding plate, located within said band member of on one side of said recess, for guiding the movement of said bolt, and a holding plate located within said band member on the other side of the recess, for retaining the free end of said bolt.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 36 words

A gastric banding device as recited in claim 19, wherein expandable section comprises an expandable member extending around the entire circumference of said band portion that, in use, encircles the stomach wall in a single loop.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 35 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said band portion of said band member is of a first thickness and the remainder of the band member is of a second, greater thickness.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said expandable section includes reinforcement in the sidewalls thereof.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 53 words

A gastric banding device as recited in claim 19, further comprising a remotely disposed fluid injection unit in fluid connection with said expandable section through said band member such that the size of the stoma opening can be altered by adding or withdrawing fluid to cause expansion and retraction of said expandable section.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 26 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising barrier means on said band member for preventing tissue from growing around said securing member.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 20 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 29 wherein said barrier means comprises a soft sponge-like silicone barrier element.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

A gastric banding device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a thin loop formed around the securing member for ensuring a secure fit between said securing member and said recess.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 29 words

A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said securing means further comprises retaining means separate from said securing member for positively retaining said securing member in said recess.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 125 words

A method for controlling the size of a stoma opening in a stomach so as to provide the restriction of food intake to the digestive portion of the stomach, said method comprising the steps of: placing an elongate band around an exterior surface of a stomach so that a portion of the band encircles the stomach; inserting a locking element formed integrally with and projecting outwardly from said band at a location near the distal end of the band into a recess formed at an intermediate location along the said band so as to form said band into a complete circle of fixed diameter around the stomach; and positively securing said locking element in said recess using a retaining member separate from said locking element.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 125 words

A method for controlling the size of a stoma opening in a stomach so as to provide the restriction of food intake to the digestive portion of the stomach, said method comprising the steps of: placing an elongate band around an exterior surface of a stomach so that a portion of the band encircles the stomach; inserting a locking element formed integrally with and projecting outwardly from said band at a location near the distal end of the band into a recess formed at an intermediate location along the said band so as to form said band into a complete circle of fixed diameter around the stomach; and positively securing said locking element in said recess using a retaining member separate from said locking element.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising varying the amount of fluid contained in an expandable section located on a surface of said band in contact with the exterior surface of the stomach so as to vary the size of the stoma opening.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein securing of said locking element in said recess comprises using a remotely located control member connected to said retaining member by a connector element extending along the length of said band to move said retaining member so as to lock said locking element in said recess.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method as claimed in claim 33 further comprising using a remotely located control member connected to said retaining member by a connector element extending along the length of said band to move said retaining member so as to release said locking member from said recess.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 173 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end, and securing means for securing the free end of said band member to an intermediate portion of said band member so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, said securing means comprising first and second fixed interlocking means formed integrally with the band member for, when interlocked, forming said band portion into said circle of predetermined diameter; and a retaining member separate from said first and second interlocking means for positively securing said first and second interlocking means together so as to prevent unlocking thereof; and an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 173 words

A gastric banding device for forming a stoma opening in a stomach so as to restrict food intake to the lower digestive portion of the stomach, said device comprising: an elongate band member including a band portion for, in use, encircling a stomach to form a stoma opening in the stomach, said band member including a free end, and securing means for securing the free end of said band member to an intermediate portion of said band member so that said band portion forms a circle of a predetermined fixed diameter around said stoma opening, said securing means comprising first and second fixed interlocking means formed integrally with the band member for, when interlocked, forming said band portion into said circle of predetermined diameter; and a retaining member separate from said first and second interlocking means for positively securing said first and second interlocking means together so as to prevent unlocking thereof; and an expandable section secured to said band portion of said band member for varying the size of the stoma opening.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 46 words

A device as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a control member located at the proximal end of said band member and connected to said retaining member by a connector element extending along the length of said band member for controlling movement of said retaining member.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 52 words

A device as claimed in claim 37 wherein one of said first and second interlocking means comprises a projection and the other of said first and second interlocking means comprises a recess and wherein said retaining member engages said projection in said recess to provide locking of said projection in said recess.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device as claimed in claim 39 wherein said retaining member comprises a movable bolt.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-09-11	1999-03-13	1999-09-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-09-11	2003-03-13	2003-09-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-09-11	2007-03-13	2007-09-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding device and method for implantation and removal thereof

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