Gastric space occupier systems and methods of use

US8945167B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Cole · San Mateo, US
• Samuel T. Crews · Palomar Park, US
• Bretton Swope · Gaithersburg, US
• Andrew Smith · San Francisco, US
• John P. Lunsford · Redwood City, US
• Daniel J. Balbierz · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 1, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 1, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F5/003
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine.