U.S. patent application number 11/517790 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for adjustable gastroplasty ring comprising a grip tab.
This patent application is currently assigned to Compagnie Europeene D'Etrude et deRecherche de Dispositifs pour L'Implantation Par Laparoscopie. Invention is credited to Salomon Benchetrit.
Application Number | 20070004963 11/517790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8850345 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070004963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benchetrit; Salomon |
January 4, 2007 |
Adjustable gastroplasty ring comprising a grip tab
Abstract
The invention relates to a gastroplasty ring formed by a
flexible band (2) which comprises a first end part (5) and a second
end part (6) and which is intended to be closed around the stomach
toward its two end parts by a closure system in order to reduce the
diameter of the opening of the stoma by forming a loop, the band
comprising an adjustable-volume annular compression chamber (3)
connected, at the first end part, by an adjusting catheter (7) to a
device for adjusting the internal pressure of said chamber, so as
to adjust its diametral expansion, the ring comprising at least one
grab tab (11, 12, 13) which projects toward the outside of the loop
to make it easier for the two end parts to be brought together and
parted.
Inventors: |
Benchetrit; Salomon;
(Caluire, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP
100 GALLERIA PARKWAY, NW
STE 1750
ATLANTA
GA
30339-5948
US
|
Assignee: |
Compagnie Europeene D'Etrude et
deRecherche de Dispositifs pour L'Implantation Par
Laparoscopie
|
Family ID: |
8850345 |
Appl. No.: |
11/517790 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10275019 |
Jun 26, 2003 |
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PCT/FR01/01434 |
May 11, 2001 |
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11517790 |
Sep 7, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/0056 20130101;
A61F 5/0066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/037 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/00 20060101
A61F002/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2000 |
FR |
00/06329 |
Claims
1. A surgical method for releasing a gastric band from a releasable
immobilized position, the gastric band including a first end
portion comprising an opening for receiving a second end portion of
the gastric band to form a loop around a stomach at a time when in
the releasable immobilized position, the method comprising:
grasping a first grabbing element positioned at the first end
portion of the gastric band that is formed into the loop around the
stomach; and manipulating the first grabbing element to separate
the first and second end portions of the gastric band.
2. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising: grasping a
second grabbing element positioned at the second end portion of the
gastric band; and manipulating the first and second grabbing
elements to separate the first and second ends of the gastric
band.
3. The surgical method of claim 2, wherein the first grabbing
element is positioned between the opening and the second grabbing
element at a time when the gastric band is in its releasable
immobilized position.
4. The surgical method of claim 2, wherein the second grabbing
element extends outwardly from of the ring.
5. A surgical method comprising: grasping a first grabbing element
positioned at a first end portion of a gastric band that is formed
into a loop around a stomach; grasping a second grabbing element
positioned proximate a second end portion of the gastric band; and
manipulating the first and second grabbing elements to separate the
first and second end portions of the gastric band.
6. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein manipulating the first
and second grabbing elements to separate the first and second ends
of the gastric band includes manipulating the first and second
grabbing elements in opposite directions to separate the first and
second ends of the gastric band.
7. The surgical method of claim 6, wherein manipulating the first
and second grabbing elements in opposite directions includes
manipulating the first and second grabbing elements using
substantially symmetric opposed forces.
8. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein the first grabbing
element is located proximate an opening formed in the first end
portion of the gastric band, the opening configured to receive the
second end portion of the gastric band to form the loop around the
stomach.
9. The surgical method of claim 5, further comprising, at a time
before manipulating the first and second grabbing elements to
separate the first and second ends of the gastric band, releasing
the first and second portions of the gastric band from an
immobilizing position.
10. The surgical method of claim 9, wherein releasing the first and
second portion of the gastric band from an immobilizing position
comprises deflating a deformable portion of the gastric band in
order to release the first and second portion of the gastric bands
from the immobilizing position, the deformable portion located
proximate the first end portion of the gastric band.
11. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein the second grabbing
element extends outwardly from the loop.
12. The surgical method of claim 5, further comprising: inserting
the first end portion of the gastric band into a second portion of
the gastric band, the first portion of the gastric band comprising
an adjusting catheter and the second portion comprising an opening
through which the adjusting catheter can be passed to form the
loop; and manipulating at least one of the first and second
grabbing elements to bring the first and second end portions of the
gastric band together to form the loop around the stomach.
13. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein manipulating the first
grabbing element to separate the first and second end portions of
the gastric band is performed using laparoscopy or celioscopy.
14. A surgical method comprising: forming a loop around a stomach
with a flexible gastric band by inserting a first portion of the
gastric band into a second portion of the gastric band, the first
portion of the gastric band comprising an adjusting catheter and
the second portion comprising an opening through which the
adjusting catheter can be passed to form the loop; and releasably
securing the first and second portion of the gastric bands in an
immobilizing position.
15. The surgical method of claim 14, further comprising:
positioning the first and second portions of the gastric band in
the immobilizing position using a first grabbing element extending
outwardly from the second portion of the gastric band.
16. The surgical method of claim 15, further comprising:
positioning the first and second portions of the gastric bands in
the immobilizing position by manipulating the first grabbing
element and a portion of the first end of the gastric band in
opposite directions to bring the first and second ends of the
gastric band together to form the loop.
17. The surgical method of claim 16, further comprising:
positioning the first and second portions of the gastric bands in
the immobilizing position by manipulating the first grabbing
element and a second grabbing element located on the portion of the
first end of the gastric band in opposite directions to bring the
first and second ends of the gastric band together to form the
loop.
18. The surgical method of claim 15, wherein the second grabbing
element extends outwardly from the loop.
19. The surgical method of claim 15, further comprising: inflating
a deformable portion of the gastric band in order to releasably
secure the first and second portions of the gastric band in the
immobilizing position, the deformable portion located proximate the
first portion of the gastric band.
20. The surgical method of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of
the deformable portion of the gastric band, located proximate the
first portion of the gastric band, extends through the opening of
the second portion of the gastric band at a time when the first and
second portions of the gastric band are in the immobilizing
position, and upon inflation of the deformable portion, releasably
secures the first portion of the gastric band to the second portion
of the gastric band.
21. The surgical method of claim 14, further comprising: adjusting
the internal diameter of the ring by injecting a fluid into the
adjusting catheter using an inflation device.
22. The surgical method of claim 14, further comprising releasing
the first and second portions of the gastric band from the
immobilizing position by: grasping a first grabbing element
positioned proximate of the first end portion of the gastric band,
the first grabbing element extending outwardly from the loop;
grasping a second grabbing element positioned on the second end
portion of the gastric band; and manipulating the first and second
grabbing elements to separate the first and second ends of the
gastric band.
23. The surgical method of claim 22, wherein manipulating the first
and second grabbing elements includes manipulating the first and
second grabbing elements in opposite directions using substantially
symmetric opposed forces.
24. The surgical method of claim 22, wherein releasing the first
and second portions of the gastric band from the immobilizing
position is performed using laparoscopy or celioscopy.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of
surgical implants intended to treat obesity by implanting a
flexible gastric band intended to restrict the stomach of a
patient, said gastric band being equipped with an annular
compression chamber, the volume of which is variable and can be
adjusted via an adjusting catheter connected to an adjusting and
control device implanted in the body of the patient.
[0002] The present invention relates to a gastroplasty ring formed
by a flexible band which comprises a first end part and a second
end part and which is intended to be closed around the stomach
essentially toward and by its two ends, using a closure system so
as to reduce the diameter of the opening of the stoma by forming a
loop, the band comprising an adjustable-volume annular compression
chamber connected, at one of the end parts, by an adjusting
catheter to a device for adjusting the internal pressure of said
chamber, so as to adjust its diametral expansion.
PRIOR ART
[0003] In the case of patients suffering from extremely severe
obesity (morbid obesity), that is to say in the case of patients
whose weight exceeds the ideal weight by at least fifty kilos, for
example, it is absolutely essential to treat these patients
surgically in order not only to avoid a series of health problems
ensuing from this obesity, but also to avoid certain and
precipitate death of such patients.
[0004] Indeed, it is acknowledged that patients suffering from
morbid obesity present a significantly reduced life expectancy, the
reduction being by at least some ten to fifteen years, while at the
same time creating significant problems of physchological burden.
Furthermore, a whole series of ancillary health phenomena are
involved, having an impact on the development of cardiovascular
diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and severe arthritis in
particular.
[0005] It has been found that treatment based on a strict diet
combined with a series of physical exercises associated with a
modification in behavior, particularly eating habits, were not very
well suited to such cases of morbid obesity, even though such
treatment methods are the most healthy.
[0006] This is why treatments for morbid obesity which are
effective and remain so in the long-term, involve surgical
treatment.
[0007] In general, a distinction is made between surgical treatment
techniques involving a lack of absorption of foodstuffs, that is to
say a shortening of the conventional path of the food and of the
digestive juices, and techniques involving gastric restriction,
reducing the size of the stomach.
[0008] Surgical techniques involving a lack of absorption are, for
example, those involving a technique of bypassing the small
intestine or alternatively those separating the passage of the
foodstuffs relative to the digestive juices. The surgical technique
of bypassing may give rise to severe complications, which means
that this technique is now used only very rarely. The surgical
technique of separating the passage of the alimentary bolus
relative to the digestive juices does not involve particular
complications, but entails a major surgical operation involving, in
particular, a partial gastrectomy.
[0009] This is why the trend nowadays is to use surgical techniques
employing gastric restriction to reduce the intake of food.
[0010] Such techniques conventionally involve the use of
gastroplasty rings implanted around the stomach in order to reduce
its size and the diameter of its passage (stoma).
[0011] Most of the known gastroplasty devices, and, for example,
the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,868, employ a flexible
band made of an elastomeric material and intended to be implanted
around the stomach then tightened and closed into a loop of fixed
diameter by a closure system. The body of the flexible band
contains a variable-volume compression chamber or cavity connected
by an adjusting catheter to a device for adjusting the internal
pressure of the chamber so as to vary the inside diameter of the
loop in order to modify or adjust the diameter of the stoma by
injecting or extracting a volume of liquid into or from the
chamber. Such an operation of adjusting the inside diameter of the
ring is performed using conventional control devices including a
miniaturized unit implanted directly under the skin of the patient
and equipped with a self-sealing membrane through which the doctor
injects or withdraws liquid using a syringe.
[0012] The closure system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,868 employs
suturing, using sutures, of the two parts of the flexible band of
the ring.
[0013] Such a device is generally satisfactory but, like most of
the known systems, suffers from disadvantages associated
essentially with the difficulty involved in any surgical operation
likely to arise once the gastroplasty implant has been fitted. What
has been found is that in spite of the possibility of, to a certain
extent, altering the diameter of the ring without surgical
intervention, using the miniaturized unit mentioned hereinabove,
the fitting of such gastric implants may be accompanied by
phenomena of intolerance, for example accompanied by vomiting,
associated with an excessive reduction in the diameter of the
stoma, or alternatively with ineffective action of the implant
associated with an excessively large diameter of the stoma, or
alternatively still, quite simply with discomfort or a local or
generalized infection or inflammation.
[0014] This is why it is often necessary to perform a further
surgical operation, either to make the patient more comfortable, or
to modify or change the gastroplasty ring already implanted. Such
surgical operations are particularly severe and in addition entail
either a surgeon cutting the ring, or the cutting of the suture
accompanied by a complete opening of the ring followed by its
exchange and replacement.
[0015] Such operations are tricky to perform, are difficult for the
patient to tolerate, and are therefore expensive in that they
entail destroying an implant and replacing it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring making it possible to remedy the various
drawbacks listed above and which is capable of making the ring
easier to handle when the implant is being fitted and when the ring
is being opened and closed again during a further operation.
[0017] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring capable simply and reliably of reversibly closing
the loop that makes up the ring while at the same time allowing
easy unlocking of the end parts, doing so without entailing
destruction of the implant.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring capable of offering a simple and reliable means
of adapting the diameter of the ring to suit each given surgical
situation.
[0019] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring capable of exhibiting several implantation
diameters.
[0020] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring making it possible to reduce the discomfort
experienced by the patient, while at the same time being firmly
held in place by the loop.
[0021] Another object of the invention is to propose a novel
gastroplasty ring which is particularly easy to manufacture while
at the same time having excellent overall mechanical strength.
[0022] The objects of the invention are achieved using a
gastroplasty ring formed by a flexible band which comprises a first
end part and a second end part and which is intended to be closed
around the stomach toward its two end parts by a closure system in
order to reduce the diameter of the opening of the stoma by forming
a loop, the band comprising an adjustable-volume annular
compression chamber connected, at the first end part, by an
adjusting catheter to a device for adjusting the internal pressure
of said chamber, so as to adjust its diametral expansion,
characterized in that the ring comprises grab tabs which project
toward the outside of the loop to make it easier for the two end
parts to be brought together and parted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
better apparent from reading the appended description, and with the
aid of the purely illustrative and informative appended drawings,
in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, one
embodiment of a gastroplasty ring according to the invention, in
the open position prior to its being implanted.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, one
embodiment of a gastroplasty ring according to the invention, in
the closed position.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates, in a view from above, the gastroplasty
ring in FIG. 2.
BEST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a
gastroplasty ring 1 according to the invention, formed by a
flexible band 2 produced, for example, by thermoforming, from an
elastomeric material for surgical use, said band 2 defining,
preferably essentially along its entire length, an internal
compression chamber 3 delimited by the walls 4 of the flexible band
2 and by a first end part 5 and a second end part 6.
[0028] In its position of implantation in the stomach of a patient,
as illustrated in FIG. 2, the compression chamber 3 therefore forms
an annular compression chamber.
[0029] As is well known in the prior art, the compression chamber 3
defines a closed volume internal to the gastroplasty ring, which is
intended to form a volume which is adjustable so that the diametral
expansion of the ring can be adjusted when the ring is in place so
as to adapt it to suit each given surgical situation.
[0030] In the conventional way, the diametral expansion of the
gastroplasty ring according to the invention is adjusted by an
adjusting catheter 7 formed by a tubular element made of
elastomeric material extending one of the free end parts, for
example the first end part 5, of the compression chamber 3 so as to
connect said chamber to a device 8 for adjusting the internal
pressure of said chamber.
[0031] As is well known to those skilled in the art, the adjusting
device 8 may be formed by a miniaturized unit 9 implanted under the
skin of the patient. The miniaturized unit 9 comprises, for
example, a self-sealing upper membrane 10 intended to be pierced by
a syringe so that a certain amount of fluid can be injected or
withdrawn so as to vary the volume of the compression chamber 3, in
order to adjust the volume of the chamber and thus obtain the
desired inside diameter of the ring. As a device such as this is
well known to those skilled in the art, it will therefore not be
described further in detail.
[0032] The gastroplasty ring according to the invention also
comprises a closure system intended to close the gastroplasty ring
in a loop around the stomach and held it in position.
[0033] According to an important feature of the invention, the ring
further comprises at least one grab tab which projects outward from
the loop to make it easier for the two end parts to be brought
together and parted when the ring is being closed and/or during a
further operation in order to adjust the ring, when unlocking it or
alternatively when relocking it.
[0034] As depicted in the figures, the flexible band 2 has, near
the first end part 5 of the ring, at least one first grab tab
11.
[0035] As a preference, the second end part 6 comprises a second
grab tab 12 and, advantageously, it also bears a third grab tab
13.
[0036] Each of the grab tabs 11, 12, 13, is preferably essentially
flat and extends between a first end which is secured to the walls
of the ring and a second end which is free and can be grasped by
gripping so as to positively move at least one of the end parts 5
and 6.
[0037] Also as a preference, the grab tabs are flexible so that
they can move out of the way when the ring is being introduced into
the body of the patient. They are of rectangular shape.
[0038] Each of the grab tabs extends tangentially to the walls 4 of
the ring 1 so that it is perpendicular to the plane of this ring
and is of a small size with respect to the overall dimensions of
the ring. In particular, the thickness of the tabs is slender with
respect to their width and to their length.
[0039] The grab tabs are formed integrally with the band and the
walls of the end parts 5 and 6 or are attached and secured to these
by any mechanical or chemical means, such as by bonding or
overmolding, for example, while being made of a biocompatible
elastomeric material.
[0040] In general, the grab tabs form protrusions which can be
implanted at any point on the external surface or internal surface
of the walls of the band and of the end parts, so as to be grabbed
by the surgeon using any surgical instrument such as forceps, for
example, so as to make the ring easier to handle, to lock and to
unlock.
[0041] Also as a preference, the first grab tab 11 extends in the
opposite direction to the second end part 6. The second grab tab 12
extends in the same direction as the first tab 11, while the third
tab 13 is in the opposite direction to the other two tabs 11 and
12.
[0042] According to one feature of the invention, the closure
system according to the invention comprises means for immobilizing
and slackening the ring, which means are carried by the adjusting
catheter 7, thus making it possible, starting from the position in
which the ring is diametrically immobilized, corresponding to the
closed and loop-shaped position as illustrated in FIG. 2, for it to
be diametrically released for a moment by a relative movement of
the two end parts 6, 7 of the ring, while at the same time, if so
desired, forming a closed loop around the stomach. Advantageously,
the immobilizing and slackening means are reversible.
[0043] According to the invention, the immobilizing and slackening
means comprise pneumatic means for closing and opening the ring,
involving a fluid, for example a gas or a liquid. Recourse to
pneumatic means allows simplified placement of the implant and
simple control over its opening and closure.
[0044] Performing such a technical function makes it possible, in
addition to the simplicity of placement and of closure of the ring
that it affords, to reduce the severity and impact of any repeat
surgical interventions following the placement of an implant by
avoiding having to cut through and to destroy the gastroplasty ring
fitted. A function such as this allows the ring to be opened up
easily using the first and third grab tabs 11, 13 and even the
second tab, without destroying the loop of the ring, possibly
allows the ring to be left in place, and allows subsequent
re-locking using the second tab 12.
[0045] According to a preferred alternative form of the invention,
as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gastroplasty ring according to
the invention comprises a closure system, the reversible
immobilizing and slackening means of which comprise at least one
deformable zone 15 and an opening 16 formed in the wall 4 of the
second end part 6 of the band 2. The inflatable adjusting catheter
7 which is made of a biocompatible elastomeric material, is
intended to be slipped into the opening 16, when the ring is in the
closed position, and also to act as a guide means.
[0046] The deformable zone 15 may form a protrusion if the pressure
in the adjusting catheter 7 increases, said protrusion resting
against the walls 4 of the end part 6 of the band, inside the
chamber 3, so as to immobilize the ring in the closed position. The
protrusion reverts to its shape at rest if the pressure inside the
adjusting catheter 7 returns to normal, so as to allow said
catheter to slide and be guided freely in the opening 16, and so as
to allow the loop to be slackened.
[0047] According to one particularly advantageous version of the
invention, the reversible deformable zone 15 is formed by at least
one zone of lesser strength and, in its shape at rest, constitutes
a zone of a shape that converges toward the second end part 6. It
may, for example, be of triangular shape in cross section, that is
to say in a plane of section perpendicular to the plane of the
ring.
[0048] Advantageously, the deformable zone 15 may be formed by a
section of the adjusting catheter 7 having a hardness of the
elastomeric material of which the catheter is made, which is
locally lower than the overall hardness of said catheter. In such a
case, as the adjusting catheter 7 is connected to the external
adjusting device 8 for pressurizing using a fluid (air or liquid),
the zone 15 will tend to form a kind of balloon with a diameter
greater than the internal dimensions of the band, which will
diametrically immobilize the ring. The pressurizing of the balloon
occurs before the band is pressurized, this being facilitated by
the convergent shape of the balloon.
[0049] Advantageously, the flexible band 2 is provided at one end
part, and for example at the second end part 6 opposite the first
end part 5 which is extended via the adjusting catheter 7, with a
hollow sleeve 20 extending the flexible band 2.
[0050] The hollow sleeve 20 also comprises the opening 16 which is
formed in one of its faces, preferably an external face, so that
the other end 5 of the flexible band 2 can be inserted in said
sleeve in the closed position, the adjusting catheter 7 then
passing through the opening 16 (FIG. 2) to form the loop of the
ring. Such a constructional arrangement makes the withstand of the
closure very reliable while at the same time allowing the
compression chamber 2 to extend around the entire perimeter for
clamping the stomach.
[0051] As a preference, the band 2 and the hollow sleeve 20 are of
a cross section of oblong shape to make it even easier still for
the deformable zone 15 to become jammed when it is pressurized.
[0052] Advantageously, the flexible band 2, the compression chamber
3 and the hollow sleeve 20 form a one-piece unit made from one and
the same elastomeric plastic, the adjusting catheter 7 then being
hot-welded on.
[0053] As a preference, the third grab tab 13 extends from the
external surface of the sleeve, and partly over the opening 16
without, however, impeding the passage of the catheter through this
opening.
[0054] Advantageously, it is also possible for the deformable zone
15 to be made with a thickness which differs from the thickness of
the flexible band 2 so as to obtain different fluid flow rates
through each of these elements. These different flow rates may also
be obtained by different shapes, the purpose of this being, for
example, to deflate the flexible band 2 before the deformable zone
15.
[0055] The end part 5 of the band 2 to which the adjusting catheter
7 is connected is preferably of conical shape to make it easier to
insert into the hollow sleeve 20. The deformable zone 15 is
situated inside this conical shape.
[0056] Also as a preference, the adjusting catheter 7 has a limit
stop 25 which is situated at the end of the conical part, near the
deformable zone 15, and which is intended to pass through the
opening 16 of the hollow sleeve 20. After this limit stop has
clipped into the opening 16, the protrusion 15 may be immobilized
by inflation.
[0057] These limit-stop means 25 consist for example of an excess
of material forming a lump facing toward the outside of the ring
and which prevents unwanted unfastening of the ring. The clipping
of these means also makes it possible to check that the catheter
has been slipped far enough into the opening 16 for the nominal
ring diameter to be achieved, and also make sure that the
protrusion is held in position immobilized in the hollow sleeve
20.
[0058] Furthermore, the adjusting catheter 7 is essentially rigid
and is of great length by comparison with the diameter of the ring,
so as to facilitate the operation of slipping and passing the
catheter 7 into and through the opening 16. This also allows good
placement of the band in the desired position.
[0059] Producing a gastroplasty ring in one piece makes it possible
to simplify the method of manufacture of the ring and to obtain a
ring which presents no risk of degradation over time.
[0060] During implantation, the ring according to the invention is
set in place around the stomach in the position illustrated in FIG.
1. As the adjusting device 8 is disconnected to start with, the
surgeon slips the adjusting catheter 7 into the opening 16 and
passes it through the latter so as to insert the first end part 5
into the hollow sleeve 20 (FIG. 1). The surgeon then brings the
limit stop 25 into the immobilizing position in the opening 16
using the second grab tab 12. He may then, using the adjusting and
inflation device 8 connected to the single catheter 7, immobilize
the ring in position. The surgeon then adjusts the internal
diameter of the ring by injecting or removing the appropriate
amount of liquid through the catheter 7. It will be noted that all
of these operations are carried out using one single solitary
catheter 7.
[0061] In the event of a further surgical operation, it is
possible, by virtue of the gastroplasty ring according to the
invention, for the operation to be confined to a superficial
external examination of the situation of the implant using
celioscopy or laparoscopy, simply by optical inspection using a
camera. As appropriate, if the situation so demands, it is possible
in a first instance, to unlock the catheter using simple
celioscopy. To do this, all that is required is for the catheter 7
to be put under depression, which leads to deflation of the band
and to a release of the balloon. All that is then required is for
the two end parts 5 and 6 to be detached by action on the first and
third locking tabs 11, 13. The tabs therefore allow the limit stop
25 to be disengaged from the opening 16. The catheter may then be
slid through the opening 16. It is also possible to use the second
grab tab 12 to extract the limit stop and to open out the ring; the
ring is then turned back on itself in the opposite direction to the
first grab tab 11.
[0062] Such sliding is accompanied by a partial and momentary
slackening of the ring, without having to perform a serious
operation on the patient.
[0063] It may be pointed out that the gastroplasty ring according
to the invention has grab tabs which, during unlocking, are
manipulated in opposite directions so that the ring experiences
essentially symmetric opposed forces. During unlocking, the ring
therefore does not have a tendency to move the part of the stomach
around which it is placed.
[0064] It is then possible, also by a simple laparoscopic
examination and operation, to close the ring again and immobilize
it in the closed position in a very simple way, because the loop of
the ring has never been destroyed.
[0065] It will therefore be understood that the grab tabs 11 to 13
have the function of facilitating the locking of the ring and of
making it possible to unlock the ring without destroying this
ring.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0066] The invention finds its industrial application in the
production and use of gastroplasty rings.
* * * * *