U.S. patent application number 11/821149 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for devices and methods for treatment of obesity.
Invention is credited to Pablo G. Acosta, Theodore M. Bender, Josef L. Friedmann, Crystine Lee, Joshua Makower, Brian K. Shiu, Shuji Uemura.
Application Number | 20070250091 11/821149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38982027 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070250091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Makower; Joshua ; et
al. |
October 25, 2007 |
Devices and methods for treatment of obesity
Abstract
Methods, devices, tools and assemblies for treating a patient to
effect weight loss. One method embodiment involves passing a device
including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration and a
buoyancy member through an opening in the skin of a patient and
into the abdominal cavity of the patient, and anchoring at least a
portion of the expandable member, relative to at least one
structure in the abdominal cavity. Devices including at least one
expandable member and at least one buoyancy member are
provided.
Inventors: |
Makower; Joshua; (Los Altos,
CA) ; Bender; Theodore M.; (Oakland, CA) ;
Shiu; Brian K.; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Acosta; Pablo
G.; (Newark, CA) ; Uemura; Shuji; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Friedmann; Josef L.; (Boulder Creek,
CA) ; Lee; Crystine; (Vallejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF ALAN W. CANNON
942 MESA OAK COURT
SUNNYVALE
CA
94086
US
|
Family ID: |
38982027 |
Appl. No.: |
11/821149 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11716986 |
Mar 10, 2007 |
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11821149 |
Jun 22, 2007 |
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11407701 |
Apr 19, 2006 |
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11716986 |
Mar 10, 2007 |
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60833284 |
Jul 24, 2006 |
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60877595 |
Dec 28, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/00234 20130101;
A61B 17/07292 20130101; A61F 5/0033 20130101; A61B 5/42 20130101;
A61B 5/392 20210101; A61B 5/416 20130101; A61B 17/072 20130101;
A61B 2017/00278 20130101; A61B 17/115 20130101; A61B 2017/00942
20130101; A61B 2017/3484 20130101; A61B 17/1285 20130101; A61F
5/0073 20130101; A61B 5/036 20130101; A61B 17/3468 20130101; A61N
1/36007 20130101; A61F 5/003 20130101; A61B 2017/12018 20130101;
A61N 1/05 20130101; A61B 17/07207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/157 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/08 20060101
A61B017/08 |
Claims
1-95. (canceled)
96. A method of treating a patient, said method comprising: passing
a device into the abdominal cavity of the patient; anchoring at
least a portion of the device, relative to at least one structure
in the abdominal cavity; and occupying a space in the abdominal
cavity with the device to substantially restrict expansion of the
fundus of the stomach, and restraining the stomach to a shape
resembling a tube, but wherein at least a portion of the antrum is
left unrestrained.
97. The method of claim 96, wherein a small pouch is also left
unrestrained at a superior end portion of the stomach.
98. A method of treating a patient, said method comprising: passing
a device into the abdominal cavity of the patient; anchoring at
least a portion of the device, relative to at least one structure
in the abdominal cavity; and occupying a space in the abdominal
cavity with the device to substantially restrict expansion of the
fundus of the stomach, and restraining the stomach to a shape
resembling a tube, but wherein a small pouch is left unrestrained
at a superior end portion of the stomach.
99-171. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
co-pending application Ser. No. 11/407,701, filed Apr. 19, 2006,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto, in its
entirety, and to which application we claim priority under 35 USC
.sctn.120.
[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/833,284, filed Jul. 24, 2006, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/877,595, filed Dec. 28, 2006, both
of which applications are hereby incorporated herein, in their
entireties, by reference thereto.
[0003] This application also hereby incorporates herein by
reference thereto, in its entirety, co-pending application Ser. No.
(application Ser. No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No.
EXPL-001CIP2) filed on even date herewith, and titled "Devices and
Methods for Treatment of Obesity".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to treatment of obesity, more
particularly to implantable devices and methods of implanting the
devices in the abdominal cavity to treat an obese patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Obesity has become a major health concern, both nationally
and internationally. The National Center for Health Statistics
(NCHS) estimates that over 120 million Americans are overweight,
including about 56% of the adult population. Of these, about 52
million are considered obese, as measured by a body mass index
(BMI) of 30 or greater. In Europe, an estimated 77 million people
are obese, as measured by the same standard. This problem is not
limited to western nations, as many developing countries are
reported to have obesity rates over 75% of the adult
population.
[0006] Co-morbidities that are associated with obesity include, but
are not limited to type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep
apnea, stroke and arthritis, the symptoms of which often tend to be
lessened or alleviated upon loss of weight by a person so
affected.
[0007] In the U.S., options for treatment of obesity are currently
quite limited. Current treatment methodologies typically rely upon
surgically introducing a "malabsorptive" environment in the
gastro-intestinal tract, a restrictive environment, or a
combination of these. One available treatment method is gastric
bypass surgery and another is referred to as gastric banding (one
of these techniques is referred to as the LAPBAND.TM. procedure).
These procedures are limited to only those patients with a BMI over
40 (or over 35, with co-morbidities present).
[0008] Gastric bypass procedures incur a great deal of morbidity
and create a malabsorptive state in the patient by passing a large
portion of the intestines. Serious side effects, such as liver
failure have been associated with this procedure, as well as
chronic diarrhea. Another surgical procedure that has a high degree
of morbidity associated with it is known as the "Gastric Bypass
Roux-en-Y" procedure. This procedure reduces the capacity of the
stomach by creating a smaller stomach pouch. The small space holds
only about one ounce of fluid. A tiny stomach outlet is also
surgically created to slow the speed at which food leaves the
stomach. Staples are used to create a small (15 to 20 cc) stomach
pouch, with the rest of the stomach being stapled completely shut
and divided from the stomach pouch. The small intestine is divided
just beyond the duodenum, brought up, and connected to the newly
formed stomach pouch. In addition to the considerable morbidity
associated with this procedure, other disadvantages include
"dumping syndrome", where stomach contents are literally "dumped"
rapidly into the small intestine which may lead to nausea,
weakness, sweating, faintness, and diarrhea; hernias resulting from
the surgery; gallstones; leakage of the connection between the
pouch and the intestine; stretching of the pouch that was formed;
nutritional deficiencies; and possible dehiscence of the
staples.
[0009] The LAPBAND.TM. is a band that, when placed, encircles the
fundus-cardia junction and is inflatable to constrict the same. It
does not reduce the volume of the stomach, but rather restricts
passage of food into the stomach, the theory being that the patient
will feel satiety with a much smaller volume of food than
previously. Although the LAPBAND.TM. procedure is less invasive
than a gastric bypass procedure, it also typically achieves less
weight loss. Further, it is not a simple procedure and requires a
substantial amount of training by a surgeon to become proficient in
performing the procedure. Also, a substantial amount of dissecting
and suturing is required because the pathway by which the band is
introduced is not an existing pathway, and must be established by
dissection. Great care is required to avoid blood vessels and
nerves that may be in the intended pathway to be created by the
dissection. After placing the band around the fundus-cardia
junction, the ends of the band must be connected together and then
it must be cinched down into place. Additionally, complications
such as erosion at the fundus-cardia junction, slippage of the band
from its intended location, nausea/vomiting, gastroesophageal
reflux, dysphagia and lack of effectiveness in causing weight loss
have been reported.
[0010] Intragastric balloons have also been placed, in an attempt
to fill a portion of the volume in the stomach, with the theory
being that it will then require less food than previously, to give
the patient a sensation of fullness or satiety. This procedure
involves delivery of a balloon (typically, transorally) to the
interior of the stomach and inflation of the balloon to take up a
portion of the volume inside the stomach. However, intragastric
balloons may also lead to complications such as obstruction,
vomiting and/or mucosal erosion of the inner lining of the stomach.
The balloon can break down over extended exposure to the stomach's
acids, and in some cases, after breaking down, the balloon
translated through the intestines and caused a bowel
obstruction.
[0011] Gastrointestinal sleeves have been implanted to line the
stomach and/or a portion of the small intestines to reduce the
absorptive capabilities of the small intestine and/or to reduce the
volume in the stomach, by reducing the available volume to the
tubular structure of the graft running therethrough. Although
weight loss may be effective while these types of devices are
properly functioning, there are complications with anchoring the
device within the stomach/GI tract, as the stomach and GI tract
function to break down things that enter into them and to
move/transport them through. Accordingly, the integrity of the
anchoring of the device, as well as the device itself may be
compromised over time by the acids and actions of the stomach and
GI tract.
[0012] A sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side
of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a much
reduced stomach which is substantially tubular and may take on the
shape of a banana. This procedure is associated with a high degree
of morbidity, as a large portion of the stomach is surgically
removed. Additionally, there are risks of complications such as
dehiscence of the staple line where the staples are installed to
close the surgical incisions where the portion of the stomach was
removed. Further, the procedure is not reversible.
[0013] In the laparoscopic duodenal switch, the size of the stomach
is reduced in similar manner to that performed in a sleeve
gastrectomy. Additionally, approximately half of the small
intestine is bypassed and the stomach is reconnected to the
shortened small intestine. This procedure suffers from the same
complications as the sleeve gastrectomy, and even greater morbidity
is associated with this procedure due to the additional intestinal
bypass that needs to be performed. Still further, complications
associated with malabsorption may also present themselves.
[0014] An inflatable gastric device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,246,893, in which a balloon is inserted anteriorly of the stomach
and posteriorly of the left lobe of the liver. The balloon is then
inflated to compress the stomach so that it fills with less food
that would ordinarily be possible. Not only does this device
compress the stomach, but it also compresses the liver, as seen in
FIG. 5 of the patent, which may cause complications with the liver
function. Additionally, the balloon is simply placed into this
location, and there is no assurance that it will not migrate and
lose its effectiveness in compressing the stomach to the degree
intended. Still further, the balloon is of a simple spherical
design, and, as such, extends pressure outwardly in all directions,
360 degrees, in all planes. Accordingly, the liver is compressed
just as much as the stomach is. Also, the compression forces
against the stomach are not ideal, as the spherical balloon
conformation does not match the conformation of the expanding
stomach. The stomach is not spherical when expanded, or concave
with a constant radius of curvature, but expands into a designated
space that allows the fundus to expand preferentially more than
other parts of the stomach.
[0015] Brazzini et al. in WO2005/18417 discloses at least two or
more expandable devices used to treat obesity, in which the devices
are inserted through the abdominal wall and anchored against the
external surface of the stomach wall by an anchoring mechanism that
extends through the stomach wall and fixes to the internal surface
of the stomach wall.
[0016] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0261712 to Balbierz et al.
describes capturing a device against the outer surface of the
stomach wall to form a restriction that appears to function
similarly to the restriction imposed by the LAPBAND.TM.. The
anchoring of the devices disclosed relies upon placement of
features against the internal wall of the stomach to form an
interlock with the device which is placed against the external wall
of the stomach.
[0017] U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0267533 and 2006/0212053
to Gertner disclose devices for treatment of obesity that use one
or more anchoring mechanisms that are passed through the wall of
the stomach to establish an anchor.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,978 to Gannoe discloses devices for
reducing the internal cavity of the stomach to a much smaller
volume, which may be used to carry out a bypass procedure. Stapling
is employed to isolate the smaller volume in the stomach, and thus
the same potential disadvantages are present as with other stapling
procedures described herein.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,149 to Pacella et al. describes an
occluder device that can be used as a dietary control device (see
FIG. 8C). The occluder device is placed against the wall of the
stomach and inflated to press inwardly on the stomach wall. A frame
is wrapped around the stomach wall and is inflated to press against
the stomach wall. However, there is no disclosure of how the frame
might be adjusted to maintain a position relative to the stomach
wall as the size of the stomach varies.
[0020] Gastric reduction techniques have been attempted, such as by
inserting instruments trans-orally and reducing the volume of the
stomach by stapling portions of it together. However, this
technique is prone to failure due to the staples pulling through
the tissues that they are meant to bind.
[0021] Techniques referred to as gastric pacing endeavor to use
electrical stimulation to simulate the normal feedback mechanisms
of a patient that signal the brain that the patient is full, or
satiated. While these techniques are less invasive than some of the
other existing treatments, statistics to date have shown that the
amount of weight lost by using such techniques is less than
satisfactory.
[0022] Currently marketed drugs for weight loss, such as
XENICAL.RTM., MERIDIA.RTM. and Phen fen have largely failed, due to
unacceptable side effects and complications, and sometimes to an
ineffective amount of weight loss. Other drugs that are on the
horizon include ACCOMPLIA.RTM. and SYMLIN.RTM., but these are, as
yet, unproven.
[0023] The risk and invasiveness factors of currently available
surgeries are often too great for a patient to accept to undergo
surgical treatment for his/her obesity. Accordingly, there is a
need for less invasive, yet effective surgical treatment procedures
for morbidly obese patients (patients having a BMI of 35 or
greater). Also, since the current surgical procedures are currently
indicated only for those patients having a BMI of 40 or greater, or
35 or greater when co-morbidities are present, it would be
desirable to provide a surgical procedure that would be available
for slightly less obese patients, e.g., patients having a BMI of 30
to 35 who are not indicated for the currently available surgical
procedures. It would further be desirable to provide a surgical
procedure that would be indicated for obese patients having a BMI
in the range of 30-35, as well as for more obese patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention provides methods, devices, tools and
assemblies for treating a patient to assist with weight loss. One
method embodiment involves passing a device including an expandable
member in a collapsed configuration and a buoyancy member into the
abdominal cavity of the patient, and anchoring at least a portion
of the expandable member, relative to at least one structure in the
abdominal cavity.
[0025] A method of treating a patient is provided that includes the
steps of: passing a device into the abdominal cavity of the
patient, wherein the device includes at least one attachment member
extending from a main body portion thereof; positioning an inferior
portion of the device in the abdominal cavity; and anchoring that
at least one attachment member to an inner surface of the abdominal
wall.
[0026] A method of treating a patient is provided that includes
steps of: passing a guide rail into the abdominal cavity of the
patient; passing an anchoring frame, guided by the guide rail, into
the abdominal cavity; anchoring the anchoring frame to at least one
structure in the abdominal cavity; passing a device, guided by the
guide rail, into the abdominal cavity; and attaching the device to
the anchoring frame.
[0027] A method of treating a patient is provided that includes
steps of: passing a guide rail into the abdominal cavity of the
patient, wherein the guide rail is selected from one of: at least
one guidewire; at least one flexible wire facilitating viewing out
of a distal end portion thereof from a proximal end portion
thereof; at least one rod; or a flexible steerable catheter;
passing an anchoring frame, guided by the guide rail, into the
abdominal cavity; anchoring the anchoring frame to at least one
structure in the abdominal cavity; passing a device, guided by the
guide rail, into the abdominal cavity; and attaching the device to
the anchoring frame.
[0028] A method of treating a patient is provided, including steps
of: passing an anchoring frame into the abdominal cavity of the
patient; delivering anchoring members, attached to the anchoring
frame, through at least one structure in the abdominal cavity that
the anchoring frame is to be anchored to, through the skin and out
of the patient; fixing the anchoring members externally of the
abdominal cavity to anchor the anchoring frame to the at least one
structure in the abdominal cavity; passing a device, into the
abdominal cavity; and attaching the device to the anchoring
frame.
[0029] A method of treating a patient is provided, including steps
of: passing a buoyancy member into the abdominal cavity of the
patient; anchoring the buoyancy member to at least one structure in
the abdominal cavity; passing a device into the abdominal cavity;
and attaching the device to the buoyancy member.
[0030] A method of treating a patient is provided, including steps
of: passing a device including an expandable member having at least
one trans-abdominally detectable marker; advancing the device into
the abdominal cavity of the patient while tracking and guiding the
advancing by trans-abdominally detecting the location of the at
least one marker, relative to the patient's anatomy, as the device
is advanced; and anchoring at least a portion of the expandable
member, relative to at least one structure in the abdominal
cavity.
[0031] A method of monitoring functionality of a device implanted
in the abdominal cavity of a patient to enhance weight loss is
provided, including: providing a handheld monitoring device outside
of the patient; and wirelessly communicating with at least one
sensor on the device located in the abdominal cavity.
[0032] A method of treating a patient is provided, including:
providing a device implanted in the abdominal cavity of the
patient, wherein the device occupies a space in the abdominal
cavity to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the
stomach of the patient into the space and compression of a portion
of the stomach; wherein the device includes at least one electrode
on a surface thereof in contact with the stomach of the patient,
said at least one electrode being electrically connected to a
stimulation signal controller; and delivering a stimulation signal
from the controller to the at least one electrode to stimulate at
least one contraction of at least one muscle in the stomach.
[0033] A method of treating a patient is provided, including:
passing a device into the abdominal cavity of the patient;
anchoring at least a portion of the device, relative to at least
one structure in the abdominal cavity; and occupying a space in the
abdominal cavity with the device to substantially restrict
expansion of the fundus of the stomach, and restraining the stomach
to a shape resembling a tube, but wherein at least a portion of the
antrum is left unrestrained.
[0034] A method of treating a patient is provided, including:
passing a device into the abdominal cavity of the patient;
anchoring at least a portion of the device, relative to at least
one structure in the abdominal cavity; and occupying a space in the
abdominal cavity with the device to substantially restrict
expansion of the fundus of the stomach, and restraining the stomach
to a shape resembling a tube, but wherein a small pouch is left
unrestrained at a superior end portion of the stomach.
[0035] An implantable device for treatment of a patient to assist
weight loss is provided, wherein the device includes: an expandable
member configured to be positioned in an abdominal cavity of the
patient, the expandable member configured to be expanded from a
contracted configuration to an expanded configuration after
placement of the device in the abdominal cavity, and to
substantially maintain a size and shape of the expanded
configuration. The expandable member, in the expanded
configuration, has a buoyancy characteristic relative to its
surrounding when implanted in the abdominal cavity. The device
further includes a buoyancy member having a buoyancy characteristic
different from the buoyancy characteristic of the expandable
member, to alter a combined buoyancy characteristic of the
device.
[0036] A method of making an implantable device for treatment of a
patient to assist weight loss is provided, wherein the device
includes an expandable member configured to be positioned in an
abdominal cavity of the patient, the expandable member configured
to be expanded from a contracted configuration to an expanded
configuration after placement of the device in the abdominal
cavity, and to substantially maintain a size and shape of the
expanded configuration, and a buoyancy member fixed to the
expandable member and contained within an internal cavity of the
expandable member. The method of making includes: providing a mold
having a shape of the buoyancy member integral with a shape of the
expandable member; molding a wall of polymeric material over the
mold; removing the molded wall of material from the mold; inverting
a molded buoyancy member portion of the wall into an internal
cavity defined by a molded expandable member portion of the wall;
and sealing a slit remaining from the inverting.
[0037] An anchoring frame deployment tool is provided that
includes: a recess or cavity formed in a distal portion shaped and
dimensioned to receive an anchoring frame therein; needles and a
driving mechanism for driving the needles through the distal
portion and the anchoring frame; wherein the needles have
sufficient length to extend through an abdominal wall of a patient
and out through the skin of the patient when the anchoring frame is
contacted to an inner wall surface of the abdominal wall.
[0038] An anchoring frame for anchoring a device to an internal
structure in a patient's body is provided, including: a plurality
of beams linked to be compressed into a narrow configuration and
expanded to an expanded configuration; and a mechanical linking
feature on each of at least two of the beams, the mechanical
linking features configured to mechanically engage with mating
features on the device.
[0039] An assembly of mating engagement members for engaging an
intra-abdominal, extra-gastric implant device with an anchoring
frame is provided, wherein the assembly includes: a rail having a
series of transversely placed openings along a length thereof; a
channel configured to receive the rail and having at least one
detent configured to pass through a wall of the rail through one of
the openings; and an actuator for preventing the at least one
detent from passing through the wall when in a first configuration;
and allowing passage of the at least one detent through the wall
when in a second configuration.
[0040] These and other features of the invention will become
apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading the
details of the methods, devices, tools and assemblies as more fully
described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates the anatomy of the abdominal cavity and
its contents, and surrounding features.
[0042] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a diaphragm in an isolated
view, illustrating the conformation of the diaphragm as it exists
in the body.
[0043] FIG. 2B illustrates the diaphragm in position relative to
the rib cage.
[0044] FIGS. 3A and 3B show views of a main body of a device with a
shape and size approximating the shape and size of a full
(post-prandial) stomach.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates (by arrows) potential locations on the
stomach wall that can be displaced or compressed by one or more
expandable devices as described herein.
[0046] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a device having a buoyancy
member contained in an internal chamber of an expandable
member.
[0047] FIGS. 5B-5C schematically illustrate alternative embodiments
of buoyancy members.
[0048] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a nested chamber configuration of a
buoyancy member.
[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a device that includes a
buoyancy member within an expandable member, where the buoyancy
member is formed in the shape of an elongated spine.
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement in which a self-expanding
buoyancy member is provided within an expandable member of the
device.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates another arrangement of a device including
a self-expanding buoyancy member.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows a device having a buoyancy member that has
inner and outer chambers.
[0053] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate devices that include a
substantially rigid buoyancy member.
[0054] FIG. 11C shows a buoyancy member having a substantially
cylindrical shape.
[0055] FIG. 11D illustrates a plurality of the shapes shown in FIG.
11C, joined by links to form a buoyancy member.
[0056] FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate another example of a buoyancy
member.
[0057] FIG. 13 illustrates another arrangement of a buoyancy member
within an expandable member of a device.
[0058] FIG. 14 illustrates another arrangement of a buoyancy member
within an expandable member of a device.
[0059] FIG. 15 illustrates a device wherein a buoyancy member forms
an internal spine in an expandable member.
[0060] FIG. 16A illustrates an embodiment of a buoyancy member that
is made of foam.
[0061] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the buoyancy member of
FIG. 16A taken along line 16B-116B.
[0062] FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative
embodiment of a foam buoyancy member.
[0063] FIG. 16D is a cross-sectional illustration of the buoyancy
member of FIG. 16C, after closing the internal chamber.
[0064] FIG. 16E is a cross-sectional illustration of the buoyancy
member of FIG. 16b, after closing the internal chamber.
[0065] FIG. 17 illustrates a mandrel that is shaped to conform to
the opening in the buoyancy member shown in FIG. 16A.
[0066] FIG. 18A-18K illustrate alternative configurations for
forming structural type buoyancy members.
[0067] FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate two different examples of molded
buoyancy members that can be used as an internal spine.
[0068] FIG. 20 illustrates a buoyancy member fixed to an inner
surface of an expandable member.
[0069] FIG. 21 shows an alternative embodiment of buoyancy member
that is molded from foam.
[0070] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a device having a
buoyancy member attached to an inner wall surface of an expandable
member to form an internal, buoyant spine.
[0071] FIG. 23 illustrates a device having an elongated positioning
loop attached thereto.
[0072] FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded view of reinforcement tab
and loop structures, demonstrating one method of bonding these
structures to an expandable member.
[0073] FIG. 25A illustrates a positioning tab bonded to a portion
of an outer surface of an expandable member.
[0074] FIG. 25B is a cross sectional view of FIG. 25A taken along
line 25B-25B.
[0075] FIG. 25C shows a positioning tab that lies substantially
flush with a surface of an expandable member.
[0076] FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate an embodiment where tab(s) is/are
extended to provide a shell-like rigidifying support of an
expandable member.
[0077] FIG. 26C illustrates a configuration where a reinforced
frame structure or reinforcement backing layer extends superiorly
of tabs.
[0078] FIG. 27 shows an inferior portion of a device to illustrate
an alternative arrangement for fixing or anchoring tab(s) to an
internal abdominal structure.
[0079] FIG. 28 schematically illustrates one suture having been
tied down to anchor a portion of a tab to the inner surface of the
abdominal wall.
[0080] FIG. 29 shows a mold that is three dimensionally shaped to
form an expandable member and a buoyancy member integrally as a
single molded product.
[0081] FIG. 30A illustrates the molded product after removing it
from the mold shown in FIG. 29.
[0082] FIG. 30B shows the molded product of FIG. 30A pushing on the
portion of the product that will form buoyancy member to invert
it.
[0083] FIG. 30C illustrates an open channel or slot after inverting
the buoyancy member portion as shown in FIG. 30B.
[0084] FIG. 31 illustrates an alternative mold in which a buoyancy
portion is formed to extend superiorly of the superior portion of
expandable member portion.
[0085] FIGS. 32A-32E illustrate steps that may be carried out
during a procedure for implanting an expandable extra-gastric
device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] FIG. 33F illustrates a sectional view of a patient (viewed
from the feet of the patient) that shows the anchoring of an
anchoring frame to the abdominal wall.
[0087] FIG. 33G is a schematic illustration from a frontal view
perspective, showing an anchoring frame anchored in place against
the anterior abdominal wall.
[0088] FIG. 33H illustrates advancement of a device, using a device
deployment tool having already been preloaded with the device in a
collapsed or compressed configuration over a guidewire.
[0089] FIG. 33I shows a sectional illustration of a device having
been locked into position on an anchoring frame.
[0090] FIG. 33J shows trimming of conduit(s) to an appropriate
length for connection with an adjustment member.
[0091] FIG. 33K shows an adjustment member being anchored
subcutaneously, to the external surface of the abdominal wall.
[0092] FIG. 34 illustrates restriction of the stomach from
expanding to its post-prandial, expanded configuration.
[0093] FIGS. 35A-35D illustrate and instrument and method for
anchoring an anchoring frame to an internal abdominal
structure.
[0094] FIG. 35E illustrates a patient's skin with needles
protruding therethrough.
[0095] FIG. 35F illustrates sutures extending from openings through
the skin of the patient after removal of the needles shown in FIG.
35E.
[0096] FIG. 35G illustrates one embodiment of a suture lock or clip
installed over a suture.
[0097] FIG. 35H illustrates a distal end portion or working end of
a knot pusher tool being used to lock down a clip over a
suture.
[0098] FIG. 35I illustrates another embodiment of a knot pusher
tool.
[0099] FIG. 36A illustrates an alternative arrangement of needle
and anchoring member that can be used for anchoring an anchoring
frame.
[0100] FIG. 36B illustrates an embodiment of a speed nut.
[0101] FIG. 36C illustrates a plurality of ribbons having been
anchored by fixing speed nuts against the external surface of the
abdominal wall/fascia.
[0102] FIGS. 36D-36E illustrate another embodiment of a speed nut
that is configured to assume undeployed (or extended) and deployed
(or compressed) configurations or states.
[0103] FIGS. 36F-36G show side and perspective views of another
embodiment of speed nut.
[0104] FIG. 36H illustrates a ribbon having barbs, with barbs
catching against the abdominal wall/fascia, thereby piercing into
the abdominal wall/fascia and flaring out radially somewhat.
[0105] FIGS. 37A-37B illustrate an expandable anchoring frame.
[0106] FIGS. 37C and 37D illustrate longitudinal sectional views of
a portion of an arm or beam and ingrowth sheet, where FIG. 37C
shows a needle in a retracted configuration, and FIG. 37D shows the
needle protruding through the arm or beam and ingrowth sheet.
[0107] FIGS. 38A-38B illustrate mating engagement members that can
be provided as part of any of the frames described herein and any
of the expandable members described herein, respectively.
[0108] FIG. 38C illustrates an expandable member in a compacted,
low profile configuration for insertion into the abdominal cavity
of a patient, with the central lumen of a rail having been threaded
over a guidewire for sliding delivery and guidance of the device
into the abdominal cavity.
[0109] FIGS. 39A-39C illustrate another embodiment of mating
engagement members.
[0110] FIGS. 40A-40H illustrate various embodiments of buoyancy
members that also function as anchoring frames.
[0111] FIG. 41 shows examples of implant markers and sensors that
may be included on a device.
[0112] FIG. 42 illustrates a procedural step for anchoring an
anchoring frame to an internal surface of an abdominal wall using
ribbons.
[0113] FIG. 43 illustrates a handheld device configured to
communicate with one or more sensors located internally of a
patient.
[0114] FIG. 44 illustrates an example where a surface of an
expandable member is provided with sensors comprising electrodes
that can be used to deliver pacing signals to the stomach.
[0115] FIG. 45 illustrates another embodiment of a device 10
configured to pace the stomach.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0116] Before the present devices methods and instruments are
described, it is to be understood that this invention is not
limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of
course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the
present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.
[0117] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each
smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a
stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that
stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and
lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included
or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or
both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed
within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in
the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of
the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included
limits are also included in the invention.
[0118] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by
reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in
connection with which the publications are cited.
[0119] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, reference to "a conduit" includes a plurality of such
conduits and reference to "the expandable member" includes
reference to one or more expandable members and equivalents thereof
known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.
[0120] The publications discussed herein are provided solely for
their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present
application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that
the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication
by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication
provided may be different from the actual publication dates which
may need to be independently confirmed.
Definitions
[0121] A "compliant" material refers to a material that is
stretchable or expandable. This expansibility allows the material
to increase in dimension substantially more than a noncompliant or
semi-compliant material, prior to failure. For example, when formed
as a balloon structure, a compliant material comprises an
expansibility property of being able to increase its radius, beyond
its formed radius, under pressure applied into the balloon, by 100
percent or more, without rupturing.
[0122] A "noncompliant" material refers to a material that, when
formed as a balloon structure, can increase its radius beyond its
formed radius, under pressure applied into the balloon, only up to
about 10 percent or less prior to rupturing.
[0123] A "semi-compliant" material refers to a material that, when
formed as a balloon structure, can increase its radius beyond its
formed radius, under pressure applied into the balloon, by an
amount between about 10 percent and about 100 percent, prior to
rupturing.
[0124] The "wall" of the stomach refers to all of the layers that
make up the stomach wall, including the mucosa, submucosa, muscular
layers and serosa. A "layer", "layer of the stomach wall" or
"stomach wall layer" refers to a mucosal layer, submucosal layer,
muscular layer or serosal layer.
[0125] A "proximal" end of an instrument is the end that is nearer
the surgeon when the surgeon is using the instrument for its
intended surgical application.
[0126] A "distal" end of an instrument is the end that is further
from the surgeon when the surgeon is using the instrument for its
intended surgical application.
[0127] An "internal body structure" when referred to as a structure
to which a device is to be anchored, refers to a structure internal
to the skin of a patient, and which can be within the abdominal
cavity of the patient, or just outside of it, such as including the
outer surface of a wall that partially defines the abdominal
cavity. Structures to which a device can be anchored include, but
are not limited to: one or more ribs, the intercostal muscles, the
abdominal surface of the diaphragm, the stomach (but where the
anchor does not pass through the wall of the stomach), the anterior
abdominal wall, the posterior abdominal wall and the lateral
abdominal wall, the esophagus, the angle of his in the stomach, the
gastro-intestinal junction, the gastro-esophageal junction, the
columnar ligaments of the diaphragm near the gastro-esophageal
junction, the superior aspect of the omentum, peritoneum, liver,
connective tissues, ligaments, and blood vessels.
[0128] An "internal abdominal structure" refers to an internal body
structure that is within the abdominal cavity of the patient,
including the abdominal wall. For example, attachment to an inner
wall surface of the abdominal wall is an attachment to an internal
abdominal structure.
[0129] The preferred embodiments of the present invention prevent
the possible issue of erosion caused by an expandable member, by
not requiring anchoring to the stomach, and further, by not
requiring a substantial compression force to be applied when the
stomach is not full of food. By allowing the stomach to move freely
in the constrained spaced provided by the expandable member, the
stomach's possible expansion size will be decreased, but there will
be less opportunity for the formation of pressure necrosis since no
one region will be subjected to concentrated forces. With the
device in place, there is substantially no distensibility of the
stomach as normal exists with an unconstrained stomach. With
distensibility restricted and gastric volume reduced, as the
patient ingests food, the intra-gastric pressure will rise to a
level sufficient to produce satiety without distension or volume
expansion of one or more regions of the stomach. The device
occupies so much volume in the abdominal cavity that the stomach
does not substantially depart from the shape set by the device even
when filled with food. Another physiological benefit of the device
is that the stomach's ability to relax in response to ingestion of
food is reduced or eliminated, through producing earlier satiety.
One additional physiological benefit of the expandable member may
further be to substantially reduce the actual volume of the stomach
itself, remodeling the organ as the muscle contracts into its new
shape over the period of weeks or months (just as the heart
remodels when constrained from over-expansion). Remodeling the
stomach allows the expandable member to be implanted temporarily.
The preferred embodiments also are positioned in a location to
substantially fill the space normally occupied by the fundus, thus
moving the stomach medially and wedging the stomach between the
expandable member and the medial and anterior aspects of the liver,
and the spine posteriorly. This position also ensures that the
expandable member is almost entirely maintained underneath the
diaphragmatic umbrella beneath the ribs on the left side, thus
concealing the expandable member, and preventing it from producing
an unsatisfactory cosmetic result. Further, the preferred
embodiments can have elements for anchoring on one or more
locations along the abdominal cavity wall to prevent migration.
Further, the preferred embodiments are provided with an outer
surface that is very atraumatic. Embodiments described may include
at least one expandable member, preferably an inflatable member,
made of a material or material composite that is impermeable to
fluid, which may be substantially impermeable to gas and is at
least impermeable to liquid, as well as embodiments having at least
two expandable members, with one expandable member being inflated
with a gas and another expandable member being inflated with a
liquid. Other embodiments include an expandable member and a
buoyancy member that may or may not be expandable, and which adds
buoyancy to the device. For example, a buoyancy member may be
included with a liquid-filled expandable member of a device, that
by itself, has negative buoyancy, so that the buoyancy member
provides positive buoyancy to bring the combined buoyancies of
these components of the device nearer to a neutral buoyancy, when
implanted into the abdominal cavity of a patient. It can be
beneficial to make the combined buoyancy slightly positive in the
abdominal cavity to help prevent the device from migrating down in
the patient.
[0130] The devices described herein can be provided as versatile
devices. For example, the same device with an expandable member can
be implanted and attached to either in a laparoscopic surgical
procedure, an oral trans-gastric procedure, or a variation of
percutaneous procedures in which non general anesthesia and little
or no insufflation are used. The device can be implanted and
anchored directly to at least one internal abdominal structure, or
alternatively, can be implanted by fixing to an anchoring frame
having been anchored to at least one internal abdominal
structure.
Abdominal Cavity Anatomy
[0131] FIG. 1 illustrates the anatomy of the abdominal cavity and
its contents, and surrounding features. The abdominal cavity 100 is
shown divided among four quadrants, the upper right quadrant 102,
upper left quadrant 104, lower left quadrant 106 and lower right
quadrant 108, as divided by the median axis 110 and transverse axis
112. The lower edge of the ribcage is illustrated by the dotted
line 114 and the diaphragm is shown at 116. As seen in FIGS. 2A and
2B, the diaphragm 116 is shaped like a parachute and sits within
the ribs. The esophagus 118 passes through the diaphragm 116 and
joins with the stomach 120. The left lobe 122 of the liver 121 lies
anteriorly of the esophagus 118 and the fundus-cardia junction 119.
In one aspect of the invention, an expandable device is implanted
in an extra-gastric location (i.e., outside of the stomach)
generally indicated at 124, and then expanded to occupy a space
that the fundus of the stomach would ordinarily expand into when
the stomach is filled with food. The expanded device prevents this
expansion by the fundus, thereby limiting the volume of the cavity
in the stomach to a much smaller volume than if the fundus had been
allowed to expand into the space. Alternatively, the device is
expanded to apply pressure to the fundus of the stomach in a
downward direction (e.g., in a direction toward the transverse axis
112 shown, with some transverse movement toward the median axis 110
shown), and optionally, additionally to the main body of the
stomach, to reduce the volume inside the stomach to effect satiety
in the patient with relatively less food ingested, relative to what
the patient would require for satiety without the implant in
place.
Devices
[0132] At least some embodiments of devices described herein can be
implanted percutaneously, with a relatively quick and simple
procedure that requires no general anesthesia and wherein only a
single, small opening in a patient is required to deliver the
device, which typically has a single expandable member that is self
anchoring or can be easily anchored to maintain the simplicity and
minimal invasiveness of the procedure.
[0133] In other embodiments, configurations of expandable members
are provided, where a device can contain one or more expandable
members and one or more steps of implantation and anchoring may be
performed laparoscopically with remaining steps being performed
percutaneously. Further alternatively, implantation and anchoring a
device may be performed with most if not all steps being performed
laparoscopically or orally through a trans-gastric procedure. Any
of the devices described herein can, of course, be implanted using
open surgical procedures. Devices that can be implanted
percutaneously can alternatively be implanted using laparoscopic
procedures.
[0134] Devices described herein can be implanted permanently, but
are also configured for reversibility, to facilitate relatively
simple removal procedures, should it be desired to remove a device.
Alternatively, devices according to the present invention can be
implanted temporarily, such as over a period of months, and then
removed or disabled when further treatment is no longer required,
or to allow an alternative treatment to be applied.
Device Body Configurations
[0135] FIGS. 3A and 3B show views of a device 10 having a main body
10m,10em with a shape and size approximating the shape and size of
the full (post-prandial) stomach 120. Although main body 10m need
not be expandable/collapsible to perform restriction of stomach
expansion, main body 10m is typically formed from one or more
expandable members 10em as will be described in further detail
below, for better performance of intended functions and to allow
less invasive procedures for implanting the same.
[0136] Main body 10m,10em includes curved left and right sides 10l
and 10r, respectively (FIG. 3A shows the posterior surface of main
body 10m,10em), wherein the left side 10l is convex and the right
side 10r is concave such that the main body 10m, 10em takes on the
shape of a portion of the full stomach that expands from the shape
of a substantially empty stomach. The superior portion 10s is
substantially larger and more bulbous than the inferior portion
10i, since the fundus portion of the stomach 120 expands much more
than the antrum upon receiving food. Thus, as seen in the right
side view of FIG. 3B, the superior portion 10s is very bulbous and
almost spherical, with a larger cross section than the inferior
portion 10i, while the inferior portion is more nearly
hemispherical, with the center portion of the main body tapering
from the superior portion 10s to the inferior portion 10i.
Configured as such, the main body 10m,10em, when implanted
properly, will occupy the space that naturally exists from the
stomach 120 to expand into when expanding from a pre-prandial
configuration to a post-prandial configuration. By severely
limiting this expansion capability, the patient is thereby able to
consume only a significantly smaller volume of food than possible
if the implant were not present.
[0137] Device 10 sizes will likely vary depending on the size of
the skeletal system of the patient into which device 10 is to be
implanted, particularly the size of the rib cage. Further
variations may be made to tweak or adjust the amount of restriction
along any desired location of the stomach that interfaces with
device 10. One typical variation is in the length and/or size
(diameter or expandability capacitance) of the inferior portion
10i. In some embodiments, the inferior portion 10i of the
expandable member 10em may be made longer than shown in FIGS. 3A-3B
to extend further inferiorly and medially than the inferior portion
of the expandable member shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.
[0138] At least a portion of main body member 10m may be
expandable. The entire main body 10m may be made of an expandable
member 10em. When in an expanded configuration, expandable member
10em can optionally only abut or lie adjacent to the pre-prandial
stomach wall, without imparting any significant deformation forces
thereto. However, when the patient eats and the stomach begins to
fill, expandable member 10em in this case prevents the stomach 120
from expanding into the volume occupied by expandable member 10em.
In such a case, the stomach 120 becomes "deformed" as it attempts
to expand and can only expand in a limited fashion, if at all,
around a portion of the perimeter of expandable member 10em. Thus,
upon expanding the device 10, the device 10 expands in the space(s)
normally occupied by the stomach 120 as the stomach 120 expands
when receiving food. Thus device 10 exerts pressure on, or at least
prevents expansion of the fundus and optionally, the antrum. In
embodiments where the expandable device 10 is not attached to the
stomach, the stomach is free to perform its normal function of
mixing food in the stomach for digesting and pushing food out of
the stomach. During all of this movement the stomach may slip
behind, beside or on top of the expandable device, but the internal
volume of the stomach will be held to its smaller volume as the
expandable device 10em is occupying the space into which the
stomach would normally expand. Further details of methods for
treatment of obesity, including procedures for implanting devices
described herein are described below.
[0139] As noted above, an expandable device 10 can be implanted
adjacent a surface of the stomach wall, either in contact therewith
or at a predetermined distance therefrom, to prevent expansion of
the stomach 120 into a volume occupied by the expandable device 10.
Alternatively, some embodiments of the devices described herein can
be configured and placed to exert an external compression on one or
more locations of the stomach to deform the stomach wall, thereby
decreasing the internal volume of the cavity within the stomach
that accepts food and liquid intake. FIG. 4 illustrates (by arrows)
potential locations on the stomach 120 wall that can be compressed
(or restricted from expanding) by one or more devices 10 as
described herein.
[0140] In one embodiment, expandable member 10em shown in FIGS.
3A-3B is composed of an inflatable member 10em. Inflatable members
described herein can be inflated with gas or liquid or both.
Examples of gases or liquids that can be used to inflate inflatable
members/devices 10 include, but are not limited to: carbon dioxide,
helium, isotonic dextrose solution, iostonic saline solution,
air.
[0141] At least a portion of the expandable member 10em shown in
FIGS. 3A-3B may be inflated with one or more gases, to provide a
relatively lighter, less dense implanted device 10, relative to an
expandable member completely filled with liquid. The entire
expandable member 10em may be inflated with one or more gases.
Alternatively, the entire expandable member 103m may be inflated
with one or more liquids. Further alternatively, devices 10 can be
at least partially inflated with a porous gel that is porous or
microporous to encapsulate air or other gas bubbles, thereby
reducing the weight of the gel while still permitting it to apply
volumetric pressure to expand an inflatable member. Such gels may
be settable, such as ultra-violet (uv) curable or otherwise
chemically curable, or, alternatively, can remain in the gel state,
so that they can be readily removed or added to, to increase or
decrease the amount of inflation/expansion of the expandable
member. Gels can be made from a flowable viscoelastic substance
made of a polymer mixture, such as silicone oil, boric acid,
hyaluronic acid, polyacrylic acid or combinations thereof, for
example. The gel, as delivered into the expandable member 10em
(e.g., such as by injection or the like) can be aerated or infused
with carbon dioxide or an inert gas to create a deformable or
non-deformable cellular structure that encapsulates the gas in
cells, and thus has relatively low mass but still has significant
resistance to compression or deformation.
[0142] When an expandable member is inflated solely with a
pressurized gas, although this reduces the overall weight and
density of the device 10, it may tend to be overly buoyant when
implanted in a patient. Because a patient is made up primarily of
water, the air, carbon dioxide, or other pressurized gas in
expandable member tends to be very buoyant relative to its
surroundings in the abdominal cavity, which are primarily water.
Depending upon the orientation of the patient's abdominal cavity at
any particular time, the buoyancy of such a device 10 may establish
a force that tends to drive device 10 toward a location away from
its intended, predefined location, and may cause the device 10 to
tend to migrate away from its intended location to a less desirable
position. Also, in the case of a device 10 having multiple
expandable members where one is gas filled and one is liquid
filled, the buoyancy of the gas filled expandable member may cause
it to pull away from a liquid filled expandable member,
particularly if the liquid filled expandable member is anchored to
an internal structure, and this may cause undesirable results such
as unwanted separation of the expandable members and/or failure of
one or more of the expandable members.
[0143] Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a device that
has a density that is closely matched to the density of its
surroundings when implanted in the abdominal cavity. Assuming that
the abdominal cavity has a density of saline and is made entirely
of saline, then an expandable member 10em filled with saline would
be substantially neutrally buoyant when implanted within the
abdominal cavity and would not exert any positive or negative
buoyancy forces when implanted therein. At the other end of the
spectrum, if the abdominal cavity were completely filled with fat,
then a device having an expandable member 10em inflated with an oil
matching the density of the fat could be implanted so as not to
create any negative or positive buoyancy forces when implanted in
the abdominal cavity. In reality, a typical abdominal cavity of a
patient will include both water(saline) and fat, with relative
amounts (percentages) of fat varying from patient to patient.
Accordingly, device 10 can be designed to have a density somewhere
in between the density of saline and that of fat, with the amount
of buoyancy being relatively greater for those abdominal cavities
having relatively more fat that those having relatively less
fat.
[0144] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of device 10 having a buoyancy
member 10bm contained in the internal chamber of expandable member
10em. For example, buoyancy member 10bm may be formed of a
substantially gas impermeable material and can be inflated with
air, CO.sub.2, or other inert gas to reduce the overall density of
device 10 in the expanded configuration shown in FIG. 5A.
Expandable member 10em can be filled with a liquid, such as saline,
dextrose solution, or other biocompatible liquid, for example, and
this liquid interfaces with the external surface of buoyancy member
10bm in the expanded configuration shown. Buoyancy member 10bm can
be shaped such that a superior portion thereof has a curvature that
substantially matches the curvature of the superior end portion of
expandable member 10em, such as shown in FIG. 5A, to that when
inflated and when device 10 is implanted in the patient in the
intended orientation and the patient is upright, buoyancy member
10bm floats to the superior end portion of expandable member 10em
and fits in the apex of the superior portion to help secure
buoyancy member 10bm at this location and minimize movement. The
position of buoyancy member 10bm within expandable member 10em
orients expandable member 10em such that the superior end of
expandable member 10em is against or near the undersurface of the
umbrella-shaped diaphragm 116, due to the buoyant effect of
buoyancy member 10bm on expandable member 10em. Alternatively,
buoyancy member 10bm may be fixed to the inner surface of
expandable member 10em, by adhesives, or buoyancy member 10bm can
be co-molded with expandable member 10em. Buoyancy member 10bm can
be fixed in the position shown in FIG. 5A in at least one
embodiment.
[0145] A conduit 12.sub.1 can be provided in fluid communication
with buoyancy member 10bm as shown in FIG. 5A, which has a length
to allow a proximal end portion thereof to extend out of the body
of the patient when device 10 is implanted in the desired location
and orientation in the abdominal cavity of a patient and expanded.
A conduit 12.sub.2 can also be provided in fluid communication with
expandable member 10em, and this conduit also has a length to allow
a proximal end portion thereof to extend out of the body of the
patient when device 10 is implanted in the desired location and
orientation in the abdominal cavity of a patient and expanded. As
shown, conduits 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 are integrated into a single
tube 12 having two lumens 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 until the location
where conduit 12.sub.2 splits off to feed into expandable member
10em as conduit 12.sub.1 continues on to join in fluid
communication with buoyancy member 10bm after passing through the
wall of expandable member 10em. The wall of conduit 12.sub.1 is
sealed with expandable member 10em to maintain expandable member
10em at least liquid impervious (and may optionally be
substantially gas impervious). Likewise, conduit 12.sub.1 is
substantially gas impervious and joins in a sealed connection with
buoyancy member 10bm to maintain it as a substantially gas
impervious chamber. Conduit 12.sub.2 is at least substantially
liquid impervious joins in a sealed connection with expandable
member 10em to maintain it as a substantially liquid impervious
chamber, optionally as a substantially gas impervious chamber.
Conduit 12.sub.1 may run along the surface of expandable member
10em as shown and may be free of the surface of expandable member
10em except for where it inserts through the wall of expandable
member 10em. Alternatively, conduit 12.sub.1 may be fixed at one or
more locations along its length that is adjacent to expandable
member 10em, or the entire adjacent length may be fixed to the
surface of expandable member 10em, such as by adhesive, taping, or
other mechanical fixation.
[0146] Further alternatively, conduit 12.sub.1 may extend inside of
expandable member 10em, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5A.
In this case, conduit 12.sub.1 (as well as conduit 12.sub.2) may
connect with expandable member 10em at an inferior location, such
as one that is closest to an opening though which device 10 is
inserted during implantation, for example. Further alternatively,
conduits 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 may be provided as completely
separate conduits along the full lengths thereof.
[0147] In one particular embodiment, expandable member 10em is
formed of silicone and buoyancy member 10bm is formed of silicone.
However, buoyancy member may include at least one layer, or may be
coated with a material that reduces the permeability of buoyancy
member 10bm to gas when buoyancy member 10bm is in the expanded
configuration shown in FIG. 5A. For example, buoyancy member may
include a metallic layer or coating, such as titanium, silver, or
other relatively inert, biocompatible metal. Alternatively, a
silicone buoyancy member 10bm can be coated with parylene to
appreciably reduce gas permeability of the buoyancy member 10bm. As
another alternative, buoyancy member 10bm may be formed by
co-extrusion, e.g., co-extruding EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol
copolymer) and polyurethane to form the buoyancy member 10bm, with
or without a metallic coating as described above. As another
alternative embodiment, buoyancy member 10bm may be formed of a
blend of silicone and polyurethane. Further alternatively, the
buoyancy member 10bm can be formed from or include one or more
semi-compliant or non-compliant materials. Examples of useable
semi-compliant materials include, but are not limited to: nylon,
polyethylene, polyester, polyamide and polyurethane, see for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,148, which is hereby incorporated
herein, in its entirety, by reference thereto. Polyurethane, nylon,
polyethylene and polyester can be compliant or semi-compliant
materials, depending upon the specific formulation and hardness or
durometer of the material as produced. Examples of noncompliant
materials that can be used in the construction of inflatable
members described herein include, but are not limited to:
polyethylene terepthalate (PET) and urethane. Expandable member
10em can optionally be formed in any of the manners described above
with regard to buoyancy member 10bm.
[0148] FIGS. 5B-5C schematically illustrate alternative embodiments
of buoyancy members 10bm, wherein in FIG. 5B, buoyancy member 10bm
comprises a ring of gas-filled beads, and in FIG. 5C, buoyancy
member 10bm comprises a gas-filled coil.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 5A, buoyancy member, although it may be
variably expandable in volume in an expanded configuration,
particularly when it is formed of a compliant material, is still
somewhat predetermined as to its volume, within a given range, as
it will typically be inflated to a predetermined pressure that has
been calculated to not stretch the walls of the buoyancy member to
a point where they are unacceptably porous to gas leakage.
Optionally, a buoyancy member 10bm may be provided that is more
adjustable in the volume that it can contain, giving the user the
ability to adjust the buoyancy member over a larger range of
volumes so as to adjust the overall buoyancy/density of device 10
in the expanded configuration. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate one version
of an adjustable volume buoyancy member 10bm that is provided with
a "nested chamber" configuration, in which chambers 10c1-10c4
(although different numbers of chambers can be provided, which
number may be two, three, or more than four) can be sequentially
expanded, to vary the size of the buoyancy member 10bm and thus the
volume of gas and amount of buoyancy added to the overall device 10
that buoyancy member forms a part of. Adjacent chambers can be
separated by a baffle or membrane 36 that may be formed of the same
material as the wall of buoyancy member 10bm, for example, with
each baffle or membrane 36 containing at least one one-way valve 38
therein. Valves 38 are configured to open at progressively greater
pressures, so that the chambers can be opened sequentially and only
to the extent desired, based on the amount of pressure applied
through conduit 12.
[0150] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of device 10 that includes
a buoyancy member 10bm within expandable member 10em where buoyancy
member 10bm is formed in the shape of an elongated spine. In this
particular embodiment, buoyancy member 10bm is an elongated tubular
member having a curvature that generally corresponds to the
curvature of expandable member 10em in the expanded configuration,
to follow the contour thereof. Alternatively, buoyancy member 10bm
could be formed as a straight tubular member. In either
conformation, the length dimension of buoyancy member is such to
extend over at least half the length of expandable member 10em or
at least two thirds of the length of expandable member 10em or at
least three quarters of the length of expandable member 10em. In
either the straight or the curve conformation, the length of
buoyancy member distributes the buoyancy more equally over the
volume of the expanded expandable member, compared to a buoyancy
member 10bm that is allowed to float to one particular location of
an expandable member. The embodiment having a curvature that
somewhat conforms to the curvature of the expanded expandable
member 10em has been found to distribute the buoyant forces even
better than a buoyancy member having a straight conformation. This
distribution of the buoyancy forces helps to maintain the expanded
expandable member 10em in the desired location, as well as
orientation that it is implanted in, as it minimizes any torquing
forces or other uneven forces that a less well distributed buoyancy
member may place on the expanded expandable member. In this
embodiment, like all other embodiments described herein, buoyancy
member 10bm can be sized to provide an amount of buoyancy that,
when combined with expandable member 10em, provides a substantially
neutral buoyancy when implanted in the abdominal cavity of the
patient. Neutral buoyancy refers to device 10 having a density
about the same as the density of the surrounding environment in the
abdominal cavity in which the device is implanted. Accordingly,
device 10 will thus not tend to either sink or float in the
abdominal cavity, but have a tendency to remain substantially in
the location implanted.
[0151] Alternatively, this embodiment, or any other embodiment
described herein, may be configured to have a slightly positive
buoyancy. This slight (e.g., less than 0.2 pounds positive buoyancy
when implanted, typically much less than 0.2 pounds but greater
than zero pounds) buoyancy tends to right the device in a situation
where the positive buoyancy is applied in a superior portion of the
expandable member and the patient is in an upright sitting or
standing position, for example. An alternative technique for adding
buoyancy, such as to adjust a displaced device, or that can even be
utilized at the original implantation of the device, is to input a
small quantity of gas into the liquid filled expandable member
10em. This can be done at the time that the expandable member 10em
is filled with liquid, or, for example, on a subsequent patient
visit. When done subsequently, the physician may optionally
withdraw a small amount of liquid to provide space to be occupied
by the small gas volume.
[0152] Accordingly, depending on the relative volumes and densities
of expandable member 10em and buoyancy member 10bm, device 10 can:
1) reduce the overall density to reduce the relative "weight" of
the implant within the abdomen (i.e., a neutrally buoyant implant
will neither sink nor float but maintain a relatively stable
position relative to the surroundings in the abdominal cavity); 2)
achieve neutral buoyancy within the abdomen; or 3) achieve a
slightly positive buoyancy that helps orient the device 10 upwards
into a desired position and orientation (e.g., located against the
fundus and the diaphragm).
[0153] In one particular embodiment, the buoyancy member 10bm of
FIG. 7 is an inflatable tube that can be inflated with gas to
provide buoyancy. In one particular embodiment, buoyancy member is
a silicone tube that is inflatable with about five to about twenty
cc volume of gas. In one specific embodiment, buoyancy member 10bm
was inflated with ten cc air. Buoyancy member 10bm may be left free
floating within expandable member 10em or may be fixed to an inner
wall of expandable member 10em. Further alternatively, buoyancy
member 10bm may be co-molded with expandable member 10em. When
buoyancy member 10bm is not allowed to free float, but is fixed in
some manner relative to expandable member 10em, this may reduce the
risk of failure due to wear that might possibly be caused by
repetitive contact between buoyancy member 10bm and expandable
member 10em when buoyancy member 10bm is allowed to free float.
Buoyancy member 10bm may be pre-inflated prior to insertion through
the body of the patient, or even prior to assembly within the
expandable member. Alternatively, a conduit 12.sub.1 (shown in
phantom lines in FIG. 7) may be provided in fluid communication
with buoyancy member 10bm so that buoyancy member can be inflated
after device 10 is inserted into the patient, either before or
after inflation of expandable member 10em.
[0154] FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement in which a self-expanding
buoyancy member 10bm is provided within expandable member 10em of
device 10. Self-expanding buoyancy member 10bm can be formed of
silicone, or other biocompatible elastomer, for example, and can be
molded in the expanded configuration shown in FIG. 8, with an open
inferior end 10bmo. Since buoyancy member 10bm has an internal
chamber or space, the buoyancy member can be compressed or
flattened to a much reduced configuration, with a much smaller
cross-sectional dimension to facilitate insertion though a small
opening in the patient for percutaneous delivery. Buoyancy member
10bm has walls of sufficient thickness and elasticity that when
compressive forces are withdrawn, buoyancy member 10bm
automatically returns to the expanded configuration shown in FIG. 8
without the need to input pressurized gas or liquid into the
chamber, as the walls elastically return to the expanded
configuration that they were formed in. This elastic driving force
also draws air (or any fluid medium that opening 10bmo is in fluid
communication with at the time of the expansion of the walls) into
the chamber of buoyancy member 10bm.
[0155] Accordingly, buoyancy member can be compressed to its
compressed configuration and expandable member 10em can be
compressed around buoyancy member 10bm where expandable member 10em
is also in a compressed, non-expanded configuration, so that device
10 is reduced significantly in cross-sectional dimension for
insertion into a patient. For example, device 10 in the compressed
configuration may resemble a cylinder. After passing device 10
through a small opening in the patient and into the abdominal
cavity (such as through a sheath, for example, or by manually
inserting the device 10, while maintaining compression on the
device as it is being stuffed through the small opening) conduit 12
that is in fluid communication with expandable member 10em has a
proximal end portion that remains extending out of the patient.
Also, a removable conduit 12.sub.1 (shown in phantom lines in FIG.
8) is in fluid communication with, and seals off the opening 10bmo
of buoyancy member 10bm. A proximal end portion of conduit 12.sub.1
also remains outside of the patient when device 10 has been
inserted into the abdominal cavity and placed in a desired location
and orientation for implantation. However, the proximal end of
conduit 12.sub.1 need not be connected to a pressurized source of
gas (although it can be), but can simply be open to the atmosphere
(with or without a filter). Thus, when the compressive forces are
removed from device 10, buoyancy member 10bm self-expands, thereby
drawing gas through conduit 12.sub.1 which fills the inner chamber
of buoyancy member 10bm. Conduit 12.sub.1 can then be detached from
buoyancy member 10bm and withdrawn from expandable member 10em and
from the body of the patient. A one-way valve 10emv is provided in
the wall of expandable member 10em to seal off the opening through
which conduit 12.sub.1 is removed. Optionally, a one-way valve
10bmv may be provided in the open end of buoyancy member 10bm to
prevent gas from migrating into expandable member 10em. Further
optionally, the open end 10bmo and valve 10emv can be integrated at
the wall of expandable member 10em. Buoyancy member 10bm may be
free floating or fixed according to any of the techniques described
above. In one particular embodiment, buoyancy member is
bulb-shaped, like the shape of a bulb on a turkey baster, with the
bulb portion oriented toward the superior end portion of expandable
member 10em.
[0156] FIG. 9 illustrates another arrangement of a device 10
including a self-expanding buoyancy member 10bm. In this example
buoyancy member 10bm is a spherical member that operates in any of
the same manners described above with regard to the embodiment of
FIG. 8. The device 10 shown in FIG. 10 has a buoyancy member 10bm
that has inner and outer chambers 10bm1 and 10bm2, respectively.
After insertion of device 10 into the abdominal cavity, internal
chamber 10bm1 can be allowed to self-expand or, alternatively,
pressurized gas may be inputted to expand the inner chamber. In
either case, gas is inputted through removable conduit 12.sub.1. In
either case, inner chamber 10bm 1 is provided with a one-way valve
10bmv to close off opening 10bmo after removal of conduit 12.sub.1
to prevent loss of gas to the external chamber 10bm2. Conduit
12.sub.2 is used to deliver pressurized fluid (e.g., pressurized
saline or the like) to external chamber 10bm2 and then conduit
12.sub.2 can be removed. All openings in device 10 that conduits
12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 pass through are closed off by one way valves
10bmv, 10emv when conduits 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 are removed.
Alternatively, the conduits and valves can be maintained so that
the gas pressure within buoyancy member 10bm can be adjusted at a
later time. The pressurized liquid in external chamber 10bm2 helps
to maintain the gas within internal chamber 10bm1 and prevent it
from migrating out into pressurized chamber 10bm2. This is achieved
because the pressure within buoyancy member 10bm2 creates a
"structural shell" around buoyancy member 10bm1. As this shell
10bm2 is pressurized and takes form, the gas is inputted through
conduit 12.sub.1 into the cavity (inner chamber) of buoyancy member
10bm1 so that there is not a vacuum in the inner chamber, thereby
helping prevent shell 10bm2 from collapsing. Cooperatively,
buoyancy member 10bm2, once pressurized, hold open the cavity/inner
chamber of buoyancy member 10bm1. Depending on the material
properties of buoyancy member 10bm2, gas may be able to permeate
out of the cavity of buoyancy member 10bm1. However, because of the
structure of buoyancy member 10bm2, the gas will not permeate out
to an extent that would create a negative pressure, since energy
would have to be expended to force the gas out and create a
negative pressure. Expandable member 10em can be expanded by
inputting pressurized liquid through conduit 12.
[0157] In general, for devices 10 described herein, the pressure
within expandable member 10em will vary depending upon the material
used to form the wall of the expandable member 10em, as well as the
geometry of the expandable member 10em, and whether gas or liquid
is used to inflate the expandable member 10em. For example, an
expandable member 10em made of silicone that is inflated with
saline typically has an internal pressure ranging from about 0.25
pounds per square inch (psi) to about 1.0 psi, depending upon the
degree of inflation. Because saline is relatively incompressible,
expandable member 10em will hold its volume under the pressures of
the abdomen. Alternatively, if expandable member 10em is filled
with a gas, the pressure may be increased to ensure that the
abdominal pressures do not compress the shape of expandable member
10em, thereby deforming it. The means pressures in the abdomen
typically range between about 0 psi to about 0.4 psi. If a person
is jumping or coughing, abdominal pressures may spike as high as
about 4.0 psi. The buoyancy member 10bm needs to be designed to
that its shape can withstand the sum of the pressure of expandable
member 10em and the at least the mean abdominal pressure (or,
preferably, peak abdominal pressure). This can be achieved by
designing buoyancy member 10bm to have sufficient structural
strength to withstand the sum of these pressures. One approach in
such design is to provide buoyancy member 10bm with a hard plastic
shell that is structurally strong enough to withstand about 5 psi
compression forces. Another approach is to design buoyancy member
10bm as flexible membrane that self expands via a compressible
foam. In this case, the foam, upon expanding the flexible membrane
of buoyancy member 10bm, draws air into a chamber defined by the
flexible membrane as the foam expands into it. In this type of
design, the structure of buoyancy member 10bm needs to withstand
the means pressures (e.g., about 2 psi) and, during pressure
spikes, buoyancy member 10bm may deform and rebound after
expiration of the spike, due to the elastic properties of the foam.
Further alternatively, buoyancy member 10bm may be inflated with a
gas. In this arrangement, the gas within buoyancy member 10bm needs
to be able to maintain a pressure to withstand the peak sums of
pressures within expandable member 10em and the abdomen, for
example, about 5 psi.
[0158] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate devices 10 that include a
substantially rigid buoyancy member 10bm. For example, in FIG. 11A,
buoyancy member 10bm is a hollow, substantially rigid sphere,
somewhat like a ping pong ball. As long as the outside diameter of
buoyancy member 10bm is less than or possibly slightly greater than
(since tissue is stretchable) a cross sectional dimension of an
opening in the patient that device 10 is delivered through, then
the buoyancy member does not need to be compressible. For example,
the outside diameter of buoyancy member may be less than about 50
mm. For example, buoyancy member 10bm may be made from
polyethylene, or other relatively low density, biocompatible
polymer or even thin-walled biocompatible metal. Buoyancy member
10bm may be free floating within expandable member 10em or fixed to
an inner wall surface of expandable member 10em according to any of
the techniques described above. To increase the buoyancy effect,
additional balls or other substantially rigid buoyancy structures
may be added, since the overall size of the single buoyancy member
10bm cannot be substantially increased in this case, for reasons
noted above. FIG. 11B shows a device 10 that includes a buoyancy
member 10bm having four substantially rigid buoyancy members
10bm1-10bm4, which are spherical in this case, although different
shapes may be used, as noted. The buoyancy members 10bm10bm4 are
linked in the example shown in FIG. 11B by linking members 11,
which may be polymeric or metallic strands, wires or threads, for
example. The chain thus forming the buoyancy member 10bm may be
free floating as a chain, or fixed relative to the expandable
member 10em in any of the ways described previously. Alternatively,
buoyancy members 10bm1-10bm4 may be left separate from one another
and may be free floating, or these separate members may be
individually fixed relative to expandable member 10em according to
any of the previously described techniques.
[0159] It is further noted that none of the alternative
arrangements described with regard to FIGS. 11A-11B are limited to
either use of either one or four buoyancy members 10bm, as two,
three or any number greater than four can be used to vary the
relative buoyancy, up to a maximum number that would substantially
completely fill expandable member 10em in the expanded
configuration. Even with the completely filled arrangement, liquid
can still be inputted into expandable member 10em to fill the
interstices between buoyancy members 10bm 1-10bmN (where N equals
the total number of buoyancy members used). In cases where the
number of buoyancy members 10bm used is greater than a maximum
number that can be aligned in a single row so that expandable
member 10em can be compressed therearound to form a substantially
cylindrical shape for delivery through a percutaneous opening, the
additional number of the buoyancy members 10bm over and above that
maximum number (or alternatively, all buoyancy members 10bm) may
need to be loaded into expandable member after inserting the
expandable member (with or without a portion of the buoyancy
members already loaded therein) into the abdominal cavity. In such
case, expandable member 10em can be provided with a valve or
otherwise closable opening 10emo having a sufficient diameter to
allow buoyancy members 10bm to be inserted therethrough. After
inserting buoyancy members through the incision in the patient
(which may include insertion through a sheath or cannula) and into
expandable member 10em, expandable member can be sealed to provide
a liquid impermeable chamber.
[0160] It is further noted that the shape of buoyancy member 10bm
shown in FIG. 11A does not have to be spherical, but can be any
other shape that includes a sealed off, gas-containing chamber
therein and which has a maximum cross-sectional dimension that does
not exceed a predetermined maximum dimension (examples of which
were described above) that would prevent it from being inserted
(with device 10 compressed therearound) through a small opening in
a patient for delivery into the abdominal cavity. FIG. 11C shows
one alternative shape in which buoyancy member has a substantially
cylindrical shape, with a central cavity that seals gas therein.
FIG. 11D illustrates a plurality of the shapes shown in FIG. 11C
(i.e., 10bm1, 10bm2 and 10bm3) joined by links 11 to form buoyancy
member 10bm. Alternatively, these buoyancy members do not have to
be shells, but can be solid and made of a material with very low
density, e.g., a foam, sponge or rigid plastic with many air
pockets. Substantially rigid plastics can be altered to lower their
densities by infusing them with air bubbles or pockets during their
manufacture. Another technology uses micro-hollow glass spheres to
reduce the density of a plastic when infused therein during
manufacture. Another alternative provides a large number of small
plastic hollow spheres encapsulated within a larger shape. For
example, a thin walled silicone member can contain a larger number
of small polyethylene hollow spheres, to provide a buoyancy member
10bm having an overall shape of the silicone member, with the
buoyancy member 10bm having a density substantially less than that
of saline.
[0161] FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate another example of a buoyancy
member 10bm. In this embodiment, a tubular member 10bmt is provided
that has an annulus therethrough of inside diameter that permits
substantially rigid buoyancy members 10bm1, 10bm2, . . . , 10bmN
(where N=the total number of buoyancy members) to be loaded
therein. For example, tubular member 10bmt may be flexible, and may
even be expansible so as to stretch somewhat as it is deformed by
buoyancy members 10bm being inserted therein, when buoyancy members
have a slightly greater cross-sectional dimension that the inside
diameter of the annulus of tubular member 10bmt. Alternatively,
buoyancy members may be freely slidable into the annulus without
deformation of tubular member 10bmt, and in this case, tubular
member can be flexible or rigid. In one particular embodiment,
tubular member is formed from silicone, either from a sheet, or
extruded in the tubular shape. In another particular embodiment,
tubular member includes layers of EVOH, low density polyethylene,
and polyurethane to provide an even better gas impermeable barrier.
Buoyancy members 10bm1, etc. can be formed the same as described
above with regard to FIGS. 11A-11B.
[0162] Once the total number of buoyancy members desired have been
loaded into tubular member 10bmt, the ends of tubular member 10bmt
are sealed off, as illustrated in the completed buoyancy member
10bm shown in FIG. 12B. The spaces in the annulus between the
buoyancy members 10bm1, . . . , 10bmN can also hold gas and add to
the buoyancy forces generated by buoyancy member 10bm. The buoyancy
member 10bm shown in FIG. 12B can be manufactured into expandable
member 10em, or can be inserted through an opening such as opening
10emo, either before or after insertion of expandable member 10em
through an opening in a patient and into the abdominal cavity.
Buoyancy member 10bm may be left free floating in the fluid used to
expand expandable member 10em or may be fixed to expandable member
10em according to any of the techniques described previously. When
tubular member 10bmt is flexible, it can be bent to follow the
contour of an inside wall surface of expandable member 10em in the
expanded configuration, and fixed to the inside wall surface in
that bent configuration.
[0163] FIG. 13 illustrates another arrangement of a buoyancy member
10bm within an expandable member 10em of device 10. In this
arrangement buoyancy member 10bm includes a substantially rigid
portion 10bmr and an expandable portion 10bme. Substantially rigid
portion 10bmr should not have any cross-sectional dimension that is
substantially greater than a corresponding cross-sectional
dimension of a small opening (such as a small incision,
percutaneous opening, or port, for example) that device 10 is to be
delivered through during placement into the abdominal cavity. As
noted, such dimension may be slightly greater, since the skin and
tissues of the patient can be stretched somewhat. In the example
shown in FIG. 13, substantially rigid portion is tubular in shape
with open ends and may have an outside diameter of one of the
specifications noted above with regard to FIGS. 11A-11B.
Alternatively, the substantially rigid portion can have an outside
diameter that, when in inserted in a compacted device 10, allows it
to be inserted through an incision no greater than about seven cm,
or no greater than about five cm. For example, substantially rigid
portion may have a diameter no greater than about 2.00'', or no
greater than about 1.85'', or no greater than about 1.5''. In this
way, expandable portion 10bme and expandable member 10em can be
compressed down around the substantially rigid portion 10bmr for
delivery through a small opening in a patient. Alternatively, the
portion 10bmr can be semi0-compressible such that it can also be
compacted during insertion. However, it can still have enough
structural properties to spring open on its own and thereby provide
supportive structure to open the surrounding portion 10bme. This
compressibility of portion 10bmr allows it to be designed larger
that the embodiment employing a rigid portion 10bmr, or,
alternatively, allows a smaller incision in the patient required to
insert the buoyancy member 10bm/device 10.
[0164] Upon placement of device 10 in a desired location in the
abdominal cavity, expandable portion 10bme can be expanded with a
pressurized gas source via conduit 12.sub.1. Alternatively, the
conduit can simply allow air into expandable portion 10bme as
portion 10bmr springs open and expands portion 10bme, such that a
source of pressurized gas would not be required to inflate the
buoyancy member 10bm in this embodiment. It is noted that conduit
12.sub.1 can be a permanently placed conduit or it may be
configured to be removable after inflating expandable portion
10bme, wherein it (and expandable portion 10bme as well as
expandable member 10em) can be configured in any of the manners
described in previous embodiments having removable conduits.
Expandable member 10em can be inflated with liquid, such as saline
or the like, via conduit 12.sub.2.
[0165] This arrangement should not require periodic refills of gas
into buoyancy member 10bm or should at least reduce the frequency
with which gas refills are necessary, since substantially rigid
portion 10bmr maintains the volume of its shape, thereby
maintaining at least a predetermined minimum volume of gas within
the buoyancy member 10bm. Accordingly, even if there is some gas
leakage out of expandable portion 10bme, expandable portion 10bme
will never shrink down to a size less than the volume occupied by
substantially rigid portion 10bmr, since substantially rigid
portion 10bmr is sufficiently rigid to withstand deformation forces
that can be provided thereagainst by expandable portion 10bme
and/or the liquid pressure of the liquid within expandable member
10em. Buoyancy member 10bm may be free-floating, as illustrated, or
may be fixed at one or more locations to expandable member 10em
according to any of the techniques described previously. Also, the
shapes of expandable portion 10bme and substantially rigid portion
10bmr are not limited to those shown, but may vary. As one
non-limiting example, expandable portion 10bme may be substantially
cylindrical to follow the contours of a tubular substantially rigid
portion 10bmr.
[0166] FIG. 14 illustrates another arrangement of a buoyancy member
10bm within an expandable member 10em of device 10. In this
embodiment, buoyancy member 10bm is made of foam or other
structural arrangement that encapsulates small gas pockets and
therefore does not have to be inflated after placement of device 10
in the abdominal cavity. Although shown as a flexible cylindrical
structure, buoyancy member 10bm can be any other shape that lends
itself to being inserted through a small opening in a patient when
expandable member 10em is compressed around it. A tubular or
cylindrical shape particularly well lends itself to this task, as
the device 10 takes on a somewhat cylindrical shape in the
compressed state where a distal end portion can first be inserted
through the opening of the patient with the rest of the cylindrical
body being pushed through in a direction along the longitudinal
axis of the cylindrical shape. Additionally, a tubular shape allows
a central annulus to be closed off to capture and maintain air in
the chamber formed by closing the tube off at both ends.
[0167] The foam used to make buoyancy member may be a silicone
foam, or made from polyethylene or other biocompatible polymer for
example. In each case, the foam is a closed-cell foam having a
skin, so that the cells of the foam are closed and encapsulate air
or other biocompatible gas therein, to ensure that the buoyancy
properties of the foam are maintained and the buoyancy member 10bm
can therefore hold open a volume of gas and displace the liquid in
expandable member 10em. It should be noted that some manufacturers
denote a "sponge" as a closed-cell material, and other denote a
closed-cell material as a "foam". Alternatively, an open-cell
material may be used, when a layer of encapsulation is established
around this open-cell sponge or foam. The encapsulation layer may
be dip-molded onto the open-cell structure, or can be manufactured
separately and then assembled around the open-cell structure. Such
a configuration utilizes the open-cell foam or sponge to provide
structural support to hold open the encapsulation layer. The
encapsulation layer provides a barrier between the gas contained
within the open-cell foam/sponge and the saline or other liquid
contained in the expandable member 10em outside of the buoyancy
member 10bm. An encapsulation layer may be provided over a
closed-cell foam/sponge using any of the same techniques described
above. Various different structural arrangements and shapes of foam
as well as sponge-like structural arrangements that can be used to
make buoyancy member 10bm are discussed in more detail below.
Buoyancy member 10bm may be free-floating, as illustrated in FIG.
14, or may be fixed to expandable member 10em at one or more
locations according to any of the techniques described with regard
to previous embodiments above. Buoyancy member 10bm has a maximum
outside dimension (e.g., outside diameter, or other cross-sectional
dimension) that permits it, together with device compressed down
around it, to be inserted through a small incision in a patient.
Examples of such maximum outside dimension are those described
above with regard to the maximum outside diameter of rigid portion
10bmr in FIG. 13.
[0168] In one particular embodiment, the foam is a silicone foam
made from silicone typically made to make a silicone sheet, but
with a foaming agent (sodium bicarbonate, about 1% to about 5% by
weight, typically about 5%) mixed with the silicone to make a
slurry. This slurry can be described as having a consistency like
peanut butter and the slurry is packed into a mold and then heated
at about 150.degree. C. for about an eighty minute cycle. The
foaming agent, during the heat cycle, converts to water vapor,
carbon dioxide and ammonia, thereby ensuring the biocompatibility
of the resulting foam product. The mold is then removed from the
heat and allowed to cool. After cooling, the foam product is
removed from the mold and finished by removing any flash that may
have formed. The finished product is a closed-cell foam that
includes a skin layer both inside and outside. In another
embodiment, the foam is polyethylene, which is expanded via high
pressure carbon dioxide. The infusion of the carbon dioxide creates
air pockets that form the foam, leaving a material that remains
polyethylene which is therefore biocompatible.
[0169] FIG. 15 illustrates a device 10 wherein buoyancy member 10bm
forms an internal spine in expandable member 10em and distributes
the buoyancy forces by being shaped proportionally to the expanded
shape of expandable member 10em. For example, in FIG. 15,
expandable member is substantially eggplant shaped when in the
expanded configuration shown. Likewise, buoyancy member 10bm is
also substantially eggplant-shaped, and is fixed to expandable
member 10em to generally follow the contours of the expandable
member 10em in the expanded configuration. This arrangement
substantially distributes the buoyancy forces in a weighted
distribution pattern that matches the weight distribution of the
liquid in the expandable member 10em when it is expanded.
Accordingly, the buoyancy forces are distributed as stably as
possible, to minimize any torquing or other uneven forces that
buoyancy member 10bm might otherwise apply to device 10 when
implanted.
[0170] Buoyancy member 10bm is typically fixed to expandable member
10em along the entire length of buoyancy member 10bm. In the
example shown, buoyancy member 10bm is fixed to an internal surface
of expandable member 10em. Buoyancy member 10bm may be made of any
of the foams described above with regard to FIG. 14, and may have a
central space 10bmi that runs along the length thereof such that,
when joined to expandable member 10em, the inner wall surface of
expandable member 10em and the walls of buoyancy member 10bm seal
off the internal space to maintain a gas-filled chamber therein.
Buoyancy member 10bm has a maximum outside dimension (e.g., outside
diameter, or other cross-sectional dimension) that permits it,
together with device compressed down around it, to be inserted
through a small incision in a patient. Examples of such maximum
outside dimension are those described above with regard to the
maximum outside diameter of rigid portion 10bmr in FIG. 13.
Alternatively, the foam shape of buoyancy member 10bm may be
compressed such that substantially all of the air inside cavity
10bmi is expelled. The compressed buoyancy member 10bm then allows
the entire device 10 to be compressed down further, overall. This
allows for either a larger outside diameter (expanded) buoyancy
member 10bm to be used, or a smaller incision length. After
insertion of device 10 into the abdominal cavity, the foam can then
be allowed to spring open by allowing air or pressurized gas to
flow into chamber 10bmi, for example, via a conduit 12. The conduit
12 may have a one-way entry and may be removable, in a manner as
described previously.
[0171] FIG. 16A illustrates an embodiment of a buoyancy member 10bm
that is made of foam can be joined to expandable member 10em as an
internal spine member in a manner as described above with regard to
FIG. 15. Since the foam is less dense than the material making up
the wall of expandable member 10em, its walls can be made
substantially thicker than the expandable member 10em wall, thereby
providing some structural rigidity as an internal spine, and, at
the same time, encapsulating more gas to improve the buoyancy
function. Buoyancy member 10bm can be formed with a hollow core
that is open, when molded, and will be closed when buoyancy member
10bm is fixed to expandable member 10em to seal the space 10bmi.
Accordingly, the surfaces or edges of the wall 10bmw around opening
10bmi are substantially smooth and conforming to the surface of
expandable member 10em where they are to be joined. Buoyancy member
10bm has a maximum outside dimension (e.g., outside diameter, or
other cross-sectional dimension) that permits it, together with
device compressed down around it, to be inserted through a small
incision in a patient. Examples of such maximum outside dimension
are those described above with regard to the maximum outside
diameter of rigid portion 10bmr in FIG. 13, although larger maximum
outside dimensions may be alternatively used in embodiments where
buoyancy member 10bm is compressed for the insertion, as noted
above. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the buoyancy member
10bm of FIG. 16A taken along line 16B-16B.
[0172] FIG. 17 illustrates a mandrel 20 that is shaped to conform
to the opening 10bmi in buoyancy member 10bm. Accordingly, after
molding the buoyancy member 10bm in the form shown in FIG. 16,
buoyancy member 10bm can then be stretched over mandrel 20 where is
temporarily fixed thereon. A shaft 20s can be controlled to dip the
buoyancy member (on mandrel 20) into a vat of polymer to form a
sealing layer or skin over the external surface of buoyancy member
10bm to further reduce the gas permeability thereof. Multiple dips
may be performed to form multiple coats of this skin layer if
desired. For example, a vat of silicone may be provided to dip-mold
a layer of silicone over buoyancy member 10bm. A typical thickness
of the layer coated by dip-molding is about 0.005'' to about
0.030''. By completely submerging mandrel 20 and buoyancy member
10bm in the molten polymer in the vat, a skin layer 10bmk (shown in
phantom in FIG. 16B) can even be formed over the mandrel portion
that fills the opening 10bmi. Upon completion of the coating and
curing of the coating layer, this skin layer can be slit to remove
the mandrel 20 and the skin layer 10bmk can then be closed back
over by patching with a layer of silicone plus room temperature
vulcanizing silicone adhesive for example. Alternatively, a thin
sheet of silicone can be bonded over the opening in the foam
product, using room temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive for
example. This could optionally be further dipped in silicone to
even further ensure sealing. Further alternatively, this portion of
buoyancy member 10bm can be left open as it will be closed off by
sealing buoyancy member against an inner wall surface of expandable
member 10em.
[0173] Alternatively, a sealing layer or skin can be molded over
the foam buoyancy member by liquid injection molding (LIM). Using
this approach, after the foam molded product is removed from its
mold, it is inserted into a second mold that is slightly larger
than the mold used to mold the foam product, but the same overall
shape. Liquid silicone is then injected into the second mold in the
space that surrounds the mold to thereby mod a skin layer between
the foam product and the walls of the second mold. This process may
be advantageous in that it can provide greater control over the
consistency of the thickness of the skin layer over the foam
product, and a single molding step may be performed, rather than
repeated dipping steps.
[0174] Alternatively, an encapsulation layer may be fabricated
separately, for example, by LIM or dip-molding. This layer can be
assembled around the foam shape, and sealed off to provide complete
encapsulation.
[0175] Alternatively, the gap 10bma between the walls 10bmw leading
to opening 10bmi can be greatly reduced by molding in a shape
illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16C, to provided a
broad flat surface 10bmb to increase the surface area to be adhered
to the inner surface of a wall of expandable member 10em. Gap 10bma
may be made small enough so that it can be closed by simply
compressing the components of 10bmb together after placing RTV
silicone adhesive therebetween. The gap can be about 0.01'' to
about 0.50'', for example, or the gap can start completely closed,
and then slit open to allow the internal mold to be released, and
the slit can then be glued closed. In this case, the internal mold
needs to be held in position during molding, and therefore there
will likely be a portion of the internal mold that extends outwards
and links to the outside mold. This link will result in a hold in
the foam shape, therefore there may be more than a slit to close.
For example, one or two patches may be required to form the
complete closure. Alternatively, the process of bonding the foam
buoyancy member to the expandable member 10em may provide an
opportunity to close off the molded openings and the slit.
[0176] FIG. 16D illustrates the buoyancy member 10bmb having been
closed by adhering gap 10bma closed. Alternatively, or in addition
thereto, a thin sheet of silicone can be bonded over the backing
surface 10bmb, using room temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive
for example. This could optionally be further dipped in silicone to
even further ensure sealing. Further alternatively, the gap 10bma
of buoyancy member 10bm can be left open as it will be closed off
by sealing buoyancy member 10bm against an inner wall surface of
expandable member 10em. FIG. 16E illustrates a sectional view of
the buoyancy member of FIG. 16B in an embodiment where a thin layer
of silicone 10bsi has been bonded over skin layer 10bmk, using room
temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive for example, thereby
rigidifying buoyancy member 10bm to fortify its function as an
internal spine member, and also providing additional sealing in of
the gas cavity 10bmi. As noted above, this foam portion of the
buoyancy member can alternatively be completely encapsulated in a
separate encapsulating layer.
[0177] FIGS. 18A-18J illustrate alternative configurations for
forming structural type buoyancy members, i.e., that do not need to
be inflated or expanded in use, but retain a volume of gas therein
to provide buoyancy forces when implanted as part of device 10. Any
of these structures can be used to make the buoyancy members 10bm
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 for example. FIG. 18A is a construction
that includes a tubular structure 10bmw which may be a polymer such
as silicone, polyurethane EVOH, or other polymers described herein,
as well as layers of one or more of these materials. Other examples
include polypropylene and silicone structure, with silicone foam;
or high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene with
silicone. One or more foam struts 10bms (FIG. 18A shows two), are
inserted in the open space formed by the tubular structure 10bmw to
increase the overall structural rigidity and resistance to collapse
of the tubular structure, while still maintaining some gas within
the foam struts. It should be noted here that this construction
does not have to be formed as a tube, or tubular eggplant shape, as
the outer wall could be formed as a disk or other structure, for
example. The previous statement applies to all of the embodiments
in FIGS. 18A-18J.
[0178] In FIG. 18B, buoyancy member 10bm is formed with a foam-like
or sponge-like structural arrangement that encapsulates small gas
pockets and therefore does not have to be inflated after placement
of device 10 in the abdominal cavity. In this example, struts 10bms
are formed integrally with wall 10bmw from the same material, which
is not a foam, but one or more of the polymers already referred to.
Struts 10bms are separated by pockets 10bmg in which gas is
encapsulated, as the structure is completely closed off by walls
10bmw. Alternatively, the entire mass of FIG. 18B may be "normal"
silicone (i.e., not foam) with a design that has a built-in
structure so that it can be compressed, but then springs open and
holds its shape open after being inserted into the abdominal
cavity. The air cavity within this structure provides sufficient
buoyancy to offset the additional density of the "normal" silicone,
as compared to foam.
[0179] In FIG. 18C, the walls 10bmw of buoyancy member are
supported by tubes 10bmt that may be made of foam, or alternatively
may be made of polymer sheeting, which may be of the same
formulation as wall 10bmw. In one particular embodiment, walls
10bmw are silicone and tubes 10bmt are formed of silicone. In
another particular embodiment, walls 10bmt are formed of silicone
and tubes 10bmt are formed of high density polyethylene or low
density polyethylene. Still further tubes 10bmt may be made of
silicone foam, polyethylene foam or silicone that is not foam
("normal" silicone). Tubes 10bmt provide structural support to
buoyancy member to keep it from collapsing under pressure imposed
by the liquid in expandable member 10em. At the same time, the
annuli in tubes 10bmt encapsulate gas. Additionally, gas is
encapsulated in the walls of the tubes 10bmt when they are formed
of foam. Still further, gas is encapsulated in the gaps or
interstices 10bmg between the tubes 10bmt.
[0180] The embodiment of FIG. 18D may include any of the same
material construction configurations described with regard to FIG.
18C. The embodiment of FIG. 18D however has only a single row or
column of tubes 18bmt and this makes the structure less rigid and
relatively easier to bend along the longitudinal axes of the tubes
10bmt.
[0181] The bending strength of buoyancy member 10bm may be modified
and tailored by making one or more tubes 10bmt discontinuous and by
altering the lengths of the discontinuous tube(s) 10bmt as
illustrated in FIG. 18E.
[0182] FIG. 18F illustrates a buoyancy member structurally
supported by ribs 10bmm molded into the shaped that buoyancy member
10bm is desired to maintain. Walls 10bmw, which may be silicone,
for example, completely encapsulate the ribs 10bmm thereby sealing
the structure and encapsulating gas in the gaps 10bmg.
[0183] In FIG. 18G, a column structure 10bmc is provided to join
opposing walls 10bmw and thus provide column strength to buoyancy
member 10bm to maintain it in the configuration shown, thereby
maintaining a volume of gas spaces 10bmg in which gas is
encapsulated. It is noted that various other structure support
members may be molded into walls 10bmw or positioned against the
inner surfaces of walls 10bmw, or otherwise arranged to assist in
holding the inner chamber 10bmi open to maintain a volume of gas to
provide buoyancy. For example, any of the types of structural
members described in provisional application No. 60/877,595 to
assist in holding expandable member 10em open (for example, see
FIGS. 9A-15D, 19A and 21-26B) can be used to help maintain the
inner chamber of buoyancy member 10bm open.
[0184] In FIG. 18H, a honey-comb-like arrangement of structurally
supporting tubes 10bmt is provided. 10bmg. This structure can be
encapsulated in a layer of polymer such as silicone, polyurethane,
polyethylene, EVOH, or the like, or combinations thereof, thereby
sealing off the annular spaces of the tubular members as well as
the interstices between the tubular members.
[0185] FIG. 18I illustrates a foam sheet 10bmh that can be cut out
in a two-dimensional shape that can then be shaped into a
three-dimensional shape and bonded to an inner surface of
expandable member 10em to form a buoyancy member 10bm. For example,
sheet 10bmh, could be manipulated to form an eggplant-shaped
buoyancy member bonded to expandable member 10em, like shown in
FIG. 15. Clearly, sheet 10bmh can be cut out to form many other
varying shapes of three dimensional buoyancy member when bonded to
the expandable member 10em. By rolling the edges of the sheet 10bmh
and bonding them to an inner surface of expandable member 10em, an
inner chamber 10bmi is formed that encapsulates gas therein. The
sheet can be encapsulated to provide an additional barrier between
the gas within the foam and the saline outside the foam. The
encapsulation layer can be assembled around the foam, or dipped
onto it, or established by LIM. The encapsulation layer (as well as
any other encapsulation layers or other coatings described herein)
can be further coated on the outside with a layer of parylene to
provide a better barrier to fluid permeability.
[0186] FIG. 18J illustrates an embodiment formed like described
with regard to FIG. 18A (only with one strut 10bms), but is shown
to illustrate more generally, that any of the embodiments described
above can be molded or otherwise formed with a predetermined
curvature designed to conform to the contour of the inner wall of
expandable member (in the expanded configuration) to which it is to
be fixed. Although shown open ended, both ends of buoyancy member
are sealed off in the final product to encapsulate the gas
therein.
[0187] FIG. 18K illustrates an embodiment wherein sheet 10bmh is
provided with one or more struts 10bms or tubes 10bmt (which may be
foam or any of the other materials discussed above) to provide
structure support to maintain the three-dimensional shape of sheet
10bmh as it is sealed to the inner surface of a wall of expandable
member 10em, and to help maintain the gas in the chamber formed
thereby.
[0188] An alternative method of partially or completely foam
filling a buoyancy member includes molding the buoyancy member 10bm
in the desired shape, bonding all but an inferior portion of the
wall edges 10bmw to an inner surface of expandable member 10em, and
then inserting a foam insert, either shaped to completely fill the
molded buoyancy member 10bm or to provide structural supports
(struts, tubes, or the like), after which the remaining inferior
portion of the wall edge 10bmw can be sealed to the inner surface
of the expandable member 10em.
[0189] FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate two different examples of molded
buoyancy members that can be used as an internal spine like
described above with regard to FIGS. 15-16. In FIG. 19A, the foam
body of buoyancy member 10bm is molded to have a constantly
transitioning increase in outside diameter/dimension from a small
end 11i through a middle portion 11m to a large end 11s. The
thickness of wall 10bmw also gradually increases with a tapering
increase of thickness from small end 111 through middle portion 11m
to large portion 11s. Likewise, the inside diameter or dimension
10bmid that defines the gas cavity 10bmi gradually transitions or
tapers from a smallest dimension at the small end and constantly
increases through the middle portion 11m to the large end portion
11s (where it then necessarily rounds off to close the end of the
buoyancy member 10bm). In one particular embodiment, buoyancy
member 10bm has an outside diameter or dimension 10bmod at the
small end 111 of about 0.85'' which constantly transitions to an
outside diameter or dimension 10bmod of about 1.85'' at the large
end 11s; a thickness of wall 10bmw of about 0.125'' at small end
11i constantly increasing to a thickness of wall 10bmw of about
0.225'' at large end 11s; and an inside diameter or dimension
10bmid of about 0.60'' at small end 11i constantly increasing to
the largest diameter or dimension of about 1.40'' at the large end
portion.
[0190] In FIG. 19B, the foam body of buoyancy member 10bm is molded
to have a constantly transitioning increase in outside
diameter/dimension from small end 11i to middle portion 11m, and
then remains substantially constant from middle portion 11m to
large end 11s. The thickness of wall 10bmw also gradually increases
with a tapering increase of thickness from small end 11i to middle
portion 11m and then remains substantially constant through middle
portion 11m and large portion 11s. Likewise, the inside diameter or
dimension 10bmid gradually transitions or tapers from a smallest
dimension at the small end 11i and constantly increases to middle
portion 11m and then remains substantially constant through middle
portion 11m and large end portion 11s (where it then necessarily
rounds off to close the end of the buoyancy member 10bm). In one
particular embodiment, buoyancy member 10bm has an outside diameter
or dimension 10bmod at the small end 11i of about 1.05'' which
constantly transitions to an outside diameter or dimension 10bmod
of about 1.50'' at the middle portion 11m and this dimension
remains about 1.50'' through to the large end portion 11s; a
thickness of wall 10bmw of about 0.175'' at small end 11i tapering
up to a thickness of wall 10bmw of about 0.20'', which remains
substantially constant through the middle and large end portions
11m and 11s, respectively; and inside diameter or dimension 10bmid
of about 0.70'' at small end 11i tapering up to a diameter or
dimension 10bmid of about 1.10'' at the middle portion 11m and the
large end portion 11s.
[0191] Although appearing flat in the two dimensional illustrations
of FIGS. 19A and 19B, buoyancy member 10bm may be formed with a
twist along its longitudinal axis, so that the exposed wall edge
10bmw shown is not planar, but follows a curvature resulting from
the twist that is determined to better follow the contour of the
inner surface of expandable member 10em. FIG. 16 attempts to
illustrate this curvature resulting from the twist. FIG. 20 also
illustrates this curvature, with buoyancy member 10bm fixed to the
inner surface of expandable member 10em at a portion that twists
from the inferior attachment location moving toward the superior
attachment location. It is further noted that the wall of
expandable member 10em can be reinforced in the location where
buoyancy member is attached thereto, as described in greater detail
below. While FIG. 20 illustrates what appears to be a curvature in
one dimension (in the plane of the paper), the curvature may
additionally be in a second dimension (in and out of the paper).
Such a complex curvature may best fit the complex curvature of the
inner surface of expandable member 10em where buoyancy member 10bm
is attached. Such a complex curvature allows the spine/buoyancy
member 10bm to start and end at the most desirable locations to
structurally support the expandable member 10em. For example, in
this embodiment, the start point is among the attachment tabs 150
(e.g., see FIG. 22). The structure of the spine 10bm then extends
from the abdominal attachment location of the expandable member
10em to the furthest apex of expandable member 10em and thus
performs two functions: 1) spine/buoyancy member 10bm provides
structure which helps to transfer the weight of the cantilevered
expandable member 10em (when anchored to the abdominal wall) back
to the abdominal attachment; and 2) spine/buoyancy member 10bm
provides the most buoyancy at the apex portion/superior portion of
expandable member 10em, so as to minimize twisting forces and
lifting on inferiorly located portions.
[0192] FIG. 21 shows an alternative embodiment of buoyancy member
10bm that is molded from foam and has a twisted teardrop or
eggplant shaped conformation. In this embodiment the walls 10bmw
are thinned down, relative to previous embodiments described, by
scalloping to reduce the overall weight of the molded product. Ribs
10bmri are molded in to extend from the inside surface of the wall
in the locations of the scallops to provide additional rigidity for
to hold open the space 10bmi to maintain a desired volume of gas
therein to provide buoyancy. In one particular embodiment, buoyancy
member 10bm is molded from silicone foam into this conformation.
Alternatively, buoyancy member can be made from normal silicone,
wherein the volume of air in the internal chamber of buoyancy
member 10bm provides sufficient buoyancy to offset the weight of
the normal silicone and still provide enough buoyancy to help
offset the weight of the saline in expandable member 10em.
[0193] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of device 10 having
buoyancy member 10bm attached to an inner wall surface of
expandable member to form an internal, buoyant spine in a manner as
described above. Expandable member 10em further includes a
reinforcement layer 160 that extends over a majority of the length
of expandable member 10em and may extend over substantially the
full length of expandable member 10em. The portion of the wall of
expandable member 10em covered by reinforcement layer 160 typically
includes at least the area opposite the area the buoyancy member is
attached to, and may include a substantial margin beyond this area
in any direction, up to and including all directions, such as is
shown in FIG. 22, for example. Reinforcement layer 160, provides
structural support of expandable member 10em to reduce chances of
the expanded configuration kinking by bending along its
longitudinal axis. Cyclic actions of such kinking can produce wear
and even failure of the expandable member, so the addition of
reinforcement layer 160 performs a useful stiffening function.
Together with buoyancy member 10bm functioning as an internal
spine, this arrangement of reinforcement layer 160 and buoyancy
member 10bm provides even more structural support to prevent
kinking and otherwise maintain expandable member 10em in its
desired orientation in the expanded configuration.
[0194] Reinforcement layer 160 may be made, for example, of
silicone sheeting reinforced with a strengthening material such as
woven polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. A margin of
unreinforced silicone can be maintained all around the edges of the
sheet to facilitate bonding to expandable member 10em and to avoid
stress concentration at the edges. Bonding can be performed, for
example, using room temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive, or
vulcanizing a sheet or cut form of unvulcanized rubber, for
example. Alternatively, reinforcement layer 160 may be made from a
different polymer, such as polyurethane, for example, and
reinforced with polyester mesh, for bonding onto a expandable
member 10em having a polyurethane outer wall surface.
[0195] Alternative formulations from which expandable member 10em
may be made include, but are not limited to: polyurethane
compositions including silicon-containing chain extenders, such as
taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,420,452 and 6,437,073, for example, or
segmented block polyurethane copolymers, such as taught in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,428,123, or other combined polymer compositions of
polyurethane and silicone resulting in less permeability (to gas
and/or liquid) than that of polyurethane used alone, or silicone
used alone. Additionally, these improved barrier (resistance to
permeation) properties can be achieved with a thinner wall
thickness than would be required if using polyurethane alone, or
silicone alone. Optionally, buoyancy member 10bm may also be made
from any of these same materials. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,420,452;
6,437,073; and 5,428,123 are hereby incorporated herein, in their
entireties, by reference thereto.
[0196] To facilitate anchoring of device 10, device 10 may be
provided with one or more attachment tabs 150. Attachment tab(s)
150 fan out like wings from the surface of expandable member 103m
to provide a much broader attachment surface area compared to what
would be provided by simply attaching the portion of the expandable
member 10em, from which they extend, to a structure. FIG. 22
illustrates a single continuous attachment tab 150 that extends
from expandable member 10em about a circumferentially extending
portion of the surface of the inferior portion of expandable member
10em. Attachment tab 150 may be bonded to the surface of expandable
10em, such as with silicone dip layer, for example, or using room
temperature vulcanizing silicone adhesive, or using unvulcanized
silicone sheeting between tab(s) 150 and expandable member 10em and
then vulcanizing by heat pressing. By bonding to a portion of
reinforcement layer 160, stress forces generated by movements of
the patient, for example, through attachment tab(s) which are
anchored to the patient, can be distributed over the reinforcement
layer 160. Additionally, border portions of tab(s) 150 can be
sandwiched between expandable member 10em and reinforcement layer
160, thereby further reinforcing the connection between attachment
tab(s) 150 and expandable member 10em. If the attachment tab(s)
is/are made from polyurethane to be bonded to a polyurethane
expandable member 10em wall, a solvent bond can be performed using
a slurry mixture of polyurethane. By extending the superior edge of
tab 150 continuously and integrally across the width of expandable
member 10em, this strengthens the bond and eliminates stress
concentrations that could lead to delamination of tabs individually
bonded to opposite side portions of expandable member 10em.
[0197] Alternatively, multiple attachment tabs 150 can be placed at
locations around expandable member 10em to extend from and
substantially cover areas covered by the larger single attachment
tab 150 shown in FIG. 22, although this may introduce locations of
stress concentration at the bonded corners of the individual tabs
150 (e.g., peel force attempting to peel tab 150 away from
expandable member 10em), as noted. However, an advantage is
provided by multiple individual tabs 150 in that the tabs are more
easily able to conform to the structure that they are being
attached to, particularly if there is some curvature or other
surface shape other than planar in the structure. That is, tabs 150
can be overlapped to reduce the overall coverage of the structure
to be attached to and this increases the convexity of the
attachment surfaces formed by tabs 150, or tabs 150 can be
otherwise changed in relative position to better match a surface
shape to be conformed to, or spread apart to increase the concavity
of the attachment surfaces formed by tabs 150, for example. The
overlapping prevents folds or wrinkles that would otherwise occur
with a single tab 150 such as like that in FIG. 22. The use of
attachment tab(s) 150 also gives the surgeon the option to not use
conduit 12 to perform an anchoring function. This allows an access
member connecting to conduit outside of the abdominal wall to be
placed further away from the ribs, potentially offering the patient
less discomfort, and also allows conduit 12 to be placed so that it
is not under tension to perform an anchoring function, thereby
lessening the mechanical requirements for conduit 12. Attachment
tabs 150, although typically located to extend from the inferior
portion of expandable member 10em, need not be so located, but can
be placed to extend from any locations on device 10 or expandable
member 10em.
[0198] Tab 150 will typically be formed from a reinforced sheeting,
such as polyester-reinforced silicone sheeting,
polypropylene-reinforced silicone sheeting or
polyethylene-reinforced polyurethane sheeting for example, or any
other biocompatible fabric that can be sandwiched between two
layers of biocompatible polymers or rubbers. One or more patches
152 of tissue ingrowth enhancing material, such as a expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, etc,
in felt or velour configuration, or polypropylene mesh, for
example, can be bonded onto the reinforced sheeting so that, when
placed in contact with tissue, tissue is encouraged to grow into
the patches. An additional tissue ingrowth enhancing patch 152,
such as the circular one illustrated in FIG. 22 may be provided
through which an elongated positioning loop 170 may extend, as
illustrated in FIG. 23. This tissue ingrowth enhancing patch 152
not only encourages tissue ingrowth from the tissue location to
which it is drawn against by positioning loop 170, but also
reinforces the junction of positioning loop 170 to device 10,
strengthening the junction.
[0199] FIG. 22 illustrates device 10 including the optional
positioning loop 170 connected to expandable member 10em through
tissue ingrowth enhancing patch 152 and optionally to reinforcement
layer 160. Positioning loop 170 is typically a long lightweight
loop of polymer, such as a ribbon and may be formed from
polypropylene mesh ribbon or the like. After inserting device 10
through an opening in the patient and into the abdominal cavity
(positioning loop 170 is also inserted into the abdominal cavity),
a surgeon can form an additional puncture through the patient at
another location in the abdomen in line with a location on the
abdominal wall where it is desired to anchor the inferior end
portion of device 10 to the abdominal wall. This puncture can be
very minimal and performed using a needle, needle that includes a
hook, or other sharp, minimally invasive tool. Using the same tool
or a different minimally invasive hook tool or graspers, loop 170
is captured and drawn out through the additional puncture. By
applying tension to positioning loop 170, the inferior end portion
of device 10 and particularly ingrowth patch 152 can be drawn up
against the internal surface of the abdominal wall for anchoring
there. Anchoring of the tab(s) 150 can be done prior to or after
inflation of expandable member 10em. In one typical example,
expandable member 10em can be expanded with gas or liquid prior to
anchoring to facilitate proper positioning of device 10 prior to
anchoring tab(s) 150. One practical approach is to inflate
expandable member 10em with gas to check for positioning, since
inflation with gas is faster and easier than inflation with liquid.
Once proper positioning is confirmed, expandable member 10em can
then be quickly deflated, and anchoring of attachment tab(s) can
then be performed. By performing anchoring of attachment tab(s)
with expandable member 10em, this provides more working space
and/or better visibility to accomplish the anchoring. After
anchoring, expandable member 10em can then be inflated with liquid.
The ribbon portions of loop 170 adjacent the exterior surface of
the abdominal wall can be sutured or otherwise fixed to the
abdominal wall, and the portions of loop 170 proximal of the
fixation location can be severed and removed from the patient.
[0200] FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded view of reinforcement tab
and loop structures, demonstrating one method of bonding these
structures to expandable member 10em. In this embodiment, dual
reinforcement layers 160a and 160b are provided. Positioning loop
extends through openings provided in the reinforcement/tissue
ingrowth patch 152, tab 150 and reinforcement layer 160b, and the
ends of the ribbon 170 are bonded to the inner reinforcement layer
160a. Tab 150 is bonded to outer reinforcement layer 160b and
reinforcement/tissue ingrowth patch 152 is bonded to tab 150 or to
outer reinforcement layer 160b. Outer reinforcement layer 160b is
bonded to inner reinforcement layer 160a according to any of the
techniques described above for bonding reinforcement layer 160 to
expandable member 10em, thereby sandwiching and securely anchoring
the free ends of ribbon 170 therebetween. The resulting construct
can be bonded to expandable member 10em according to any of the
techniques described above for bonding reinforcement layer 160 to
expandable member 10em.
[0201] FIGS. 25A-25C illustrate additional tab features that may be
provided on device 10, such as on expandable member 10em to assist
in positioning/repositioning the device in the abdominal cavity.
FIG. 25A illustrates a portion of the outer surface of expandable
member 10em to which is bonded positioning tab 154. This
positioning tab has a base 154b bonded to the surface of the
expandable member 10em and a extending portion, such as fin 154e or
other tab extension that does not lie flush with the expandable
member 10em surface, but extends therefrom to allow a surgeon to
grasp this portion using endoscopic graspers or other tool that can
be inserted through a small opening in the patient to perform a
grasping function. Once grasped, the tool can be pulled, pushed or
otherwise manipulated to move the position of the expandable member
10em. The cross sectional view of FIG. 25B more clearly shows the
extending fin portion 154e of positioning tab 154.
[0202] FIG. 25C shows a positioning tab 154 that lies substantially
flush with the surface of expandable member 10em. However, only the
central portion of tab 154 (bonded portion 154b) is bonded to
expandable member 10em with the borders 154f left unsecured.
Accordingly, graspers or other instrument can grab a portion of the
free perimeter 154f at the border of positioning tab 154 to apply
forces therethrough to move the position or orientation of
expandable member 10. In either configuration, one or more
positioning tabs can be bonded at any locations on the expandable
member 10em that a surgeon may find useful to apply leverage to
position or orient the expandable member.
[0203] FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate an embodiment where tab(s) is/are
extended to provide a shell-like rigidifying support of expandable
member 10em. FIG. 26A shows the anterior surface of tab 150 and
expandable member 10em showing tab 150 extending over a majority of
the length of expandable member 10em. This extended tab 150 can be
bonded to expandable member 10em with or without one or more
reinforcement layers 160 therebetween, as well as with or without
stress relief feature 160F. FIG. 16B shows the posterior surfaces
of tab 150 and expandable member 10em showing that tab 150 wraps
partially (or optionally, completely) around the posterior surface
of expandable member, forming both inferior and superior bands
150b.
[0204] FIG. 26C illustrates a configuration where a reinforced
frame structure or reinforcement backing layer 160 extends
superiorly of tabs 150 and may be formed in sandwiched, laminated
construction with a portion of tab(s) 150 at an inferior portion of
the reinforcement backing layer 160. A stress relief feature 160F
may be provided at the reinforcement layer 160-expandable member
10em (optionally, as well as interface borders between tab(s) and
expandable member 10em) to diffuse stress concentrations that would
otherwise build up between the backing layer 160 and expandable
member 10em, as there is a significant difference in compliance
properties between the fabric reinforced backing layer 160 and the
non-reinforced polymer layer of expandable member 10em. For
example, when expandable member is made of silicone and backing
layer is made of polymer fabric-reinforced silicone, stress-relief
feature 160F may be a bead of RTV silicone, or a cut sheet of
unvulcanized silicone sheeting that is pressed and vulcanized to
bond to expandable member 10em and backing layer 160.
[0205] Tab(s) 150 can be fixed to an internal abdominal structure
(such as an internal surface of the abdominal wall for example)
using staples or tacks in a manner as described in co-pending
application Ser. No. (Ser. No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket
No. EXPL-001CIP2), which was incorporated by reference above, or
sutures, or Q-ring fixation members that are configured like the
coil portion of key ring, that can be threaded into and through the
tab 150 and tissue for anchoring these together, or hooks, barbs,
corkscrew type anchoring members, or other known anchoring
arrangements. FIG. 27 shows an inferior portion of device 10 to
illustrate an alternative arrangement for fixing or anchoring
tab(s) to an internal abdominal structure, which may be an internal
surface of the abdominal wall and/or other internal abdominal
structure. In this embodiment, sutures 180 are inserted through
tab(s) 150 at least one location (at least one location into and at
least one location out of, respectively) to form a loop that can be
drawn against by drawing on the free ends of the suture to draw the
tab(s) up against an internal abdominal structure to be sutured
thereto. In the embodiment shown, there are single sutures 180 that
pass into, through and out of tab 150 and tissue ingrowth patch at
one location in and one location out. Additionally shown are
sutures 180 (in pairs in this example, although this is not
necessary) that pas into and out of tab 150 at two different
locations, one into and out of a first tissue ingrowth patch 152
and a second, into and out of an adjacent tissue ingrowth patch. It
is noted that this arrangement is only exemplary, as other patterns
of sutures 180 could be used to accomplish the method to be
described hereafter. It is further noted, that in embodiments that
employ multiple attachment tabs 150, sutures 180 that extend
through adjacent tabs 150, when pulled on, can also be used to
reposition tabs 152 relative to one another prior to fixing them to
the internal abdominal structure. For example, drawing opposite
ends of a suture 180 may draw adjacent tabs 150 closer to one
another and or cause them to partially overlap. Sutures 180 may be
provided with one or more knots or other enlargements 182 that
cannot pass through the tissue ingrowth patch 152 or tab 150, to
prevent sutures 180 from sliding out of the tab(s) 150.
[0206] After insertion of device 10 through an incision in the
patient and into the abdominal cavity, the inferior portion can be
generally located against the internal abdominal structure that it
is to be anchored to by forming a puncture aligned with that
location and retracting loop 170 therethrough to pull the inferior
portion of device 10 into contact with the internal abdominal
structure, as was described above. It is noted that positioning
loop 170 is not shown in FIG. 27 in order to clarify the
illustration of the sutures 180 shown and the routes into and out
of tab 150. Once positioning loop has been anchored
extra-abdominally (such as to the external surface of the abdominal
wall, as one example), additional punctures are performed through
the skin of the patient to grasp and retrieve ends of sutures 180.
Opposite ends of a suture 180 are drawn through separate punctures
that are generally aligned with the locations of tab 150 where the
particular suture end extends from. When both ends of any
particular suture 180 have been drawn through the respective
puncture openings, the suture is then tied down by tying the two
ends of the suture together and forming the tied knot as far down
through the fat of the patient as possible, into contact with the
fascia (or as close to the fascia as possible). This procedure is
repeated for each pair of suture ends of each suture 180.
[0207] FIG. 28 schematically illustrates one suture 180 having been
tied down to anchor a portion of tab 150 to the inner surface of
abdominal wall 127. After creating the puncture/small opening 202
through the skin, subcutaneous tissues including fat, fascia 127
and abdominal wall 127 and retrieving positioning loop 170
therethrough, positioning loop is pulled to pull the inferior
portion of device 10 including attachment tab(s) 150 against the
inner surface of the abdominal wall in a general location where it
is desired to anchor device 10 thereto. To assist in this movement,
the surgeon may optionally grasp one or more positioning tabs 154
that may be located superiorly of tab(s) 150 on expandable member
10em, for example. Further orientation of device 10 may be
performed after the inferior portion of device 10 is drawn against
the abdominal wall 127 via positioning loop 170, and this further
orientation may also be facilitated by pushing, pulling or torquing
on one or more positioning tabs 154.
[0208] After fixing loop 70 to the outer surface of the abdominal
wall 127 and/or fascia 127f and removing the excess loop portion
extending proximally of the fixation point, as described above, an
additional puncture 204 is formed in a general location overlying a
location from which one end of suture 180 exits tab 150. The end is
retrieved using graspers, or other minimally invasive retrieval
instrument and pulled out of the patient's abdominal cavity and
through the abdominal wall, optionally all the way out of the
patient. Assuming there is at least one knot 182 formed in suture
to prevent it from sliding out of tab(s) 150, then the retraction
of the first end of the suture can be done without concern for
holding the other free end of the suture. In this case, once the
first free end of suture 180 has been drawn out of the abdominal
cavity through puncture 204, a second puncture 206 is formed in a
location overlying a general location from which the other end of
suture 180 exits tab 150. the other one end of suture 180. This
second end of suture is then retracted out of the abdominal cavity
through puncture 206. Alternatively, first and second ends of the
suture 180 can be retracted out of the abdominal cavity
simultaneously through punctures 204 and 206, respectively. Either
way, the two free ends of suture 180 are then tied down together as
close to fascia 127f as possible. The knot formed between the two
ends of the suture 180 is pushed down through the fat to be tied
off at a location abutting, or as close to the fascia 127f as
possible. This procedure is repeated for each suture 180, wherein
additional pairs of punctures are created for retracting each
additional pair of free ends of each additional suture 180,
respectively.
[0209] In an alternative procedure, when pairs of sutures are
provided, as in the arrangement shown in FIG. 27, for example,
adjacent free ends of the pairs of sutures 180 can be tied down as
close to the fascia as possible. For example, referring to FIG. 27,
a first puncture can be made to drawn end 180a therethrough and a
second puncture can be made very close to the first puncture to
draw end 180b therethrough, and then ends 180a and 180b can be tied
down together, close to or abutting the fascia 127f. Similarly, a
third puncture can be made to drawn end 180c therethrough and a
fourth puncture can be made very close to the third puncture to
draw end 180d therethrough, and then ends 180c and 180d can be tied
down together, close to or abutting the fascia 127f. An advantage
to this technique is that because the ends to be tied together are
so close to one another, the punctures to draw them out of the
abdominal cavity can also be made very close to one another. This
results in the tied suture loop 180 surrounding much less fat and
therefore there is a reduced chance of loosening of the tie due to
fat loss before sufficient tissue ingrowth has occurred in patches
152. Another advantage is that since the punctures for the adjacent
suture ends to be tied can be made so close to one another, they
can both be made from the same incision or puncture in the skin of
the patient, while moving the graspers or other puncturing or
incising instrument only slightly to form a puncture next to one
that has already been made.
[0210] Alternatively, one or more of sutures 180 can be replaced by
additional positioning loops 170 that are fixed to tab(s) 150 in
locations where the ends of sutures 180 would otherwise extend out
of tab(s) 150. Anchoring of the tab(s) 150 can then be performed by
pulling loops 170 out of the abdominal cavity and tying them
together in any of the manners described above with regard to
sutures 180.
[0211] Further alternatively, it is noted that device 10 can be
generally positioned for anchoring the inferior portion of device
10 without the use of positioning loop 170, with or without
assistance of positioning tab(s) 154, and still anchor tab(s) using
sutures 180 in any of the manners described above.
[0212] Alternatively to separately manufacturing a buoyancy member
10bm and expandable member 10em and then inserting (either with or
without fixing to the expandable member) buoyancy member 10bm into
expandable member 10em (either before or after insertion of
expandable member 10em into the abdominal cavity), buoyancy member
10bm may be manufactured integrally with expandable member 10e.
FIG. 29 shows a mold 15 that is three dimensionally shaped to form
expandable member 10em and buoyancy member 10bm integrally as a
single molded product. Portion 15em from the shape of expandable
member 10em and portion 15bm extends from portion 15em to form the
shape of buoyancy member 10bm. After molding the polymeric material
over mode 15, a small slit can be made to peel the molded product
off the mold 15. FIG. 30A illustrates the molded product after
removing it from mold 15 via slit 10st, for example. Slit 10st can
be closed by patching, such as bonding a sheet of silicone
thereover using RTV silicone adhesive, for example, or by bonding
with RTV silicone adhesive alone, or other equivalent sealing
technique.
[0213] By pushing on the portion of the product that will form
buoyancy member 10bm in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG.
30A, this portion can be inverted inside the main body portion that
forms expandable member 10em, as illustrated in FIG. 30B. This
leaves an open channel or slot 10slt in the wall of expandable
member 10em as illustrated in the right side view of FIG. 30C. This
slot 10slt can be closed by bonding a polymer layer (e.g., silicone
sheet) over it, thereby closing off the internal chamber 10bmi and
sealing gas therein. Alternatively, prior to sealing, a foam insert
having a shape conforming to the buoyancy member 10bm can be
inserted therein to hold buoyancy member 10bm open and, at the same
time encapsulate gas therein. Further alternatively, a balloon or
structural supporting elements of any of the types described above
can be inserted into the inner chamber 10bmi prior to sealing off
the slot 10slt.
[0214] This technique is not limited to formation of a buoyancy
member 10bm having a teardrop or eggplant-like shape, but can be
applied to many other shapes of buoyancy members. Likewise, the
shape of expandable member 10em is not limited to the shape shown.
Further, this method is not limited to the placement of buoyancy
member 10bm as an internal spine as shown. FIG. 31 illustrates an
alternative mold 15 in which buoyancy portion 15bm is formed to
extend superiorly of the superior portion of expandable member
portion 15em, and is closer to spherical shape than eggplant shape.
Alternatively, this method of assembling the buoyancy member 10bm
onto the side area of expandable member 10em does not have to
utilize a shape in expandable member 10em that is inverted. For
example, in FIG. 30A, without the shape of 10bm, the shape of 10em
would be more like what is shown in FIG. 30B. Given this shape, a
flat sheet of foam can be adhered to the outside of the mold for
expandable member 10em, and a layer of silicone could be layered
over the foam to form the expandable member there.
[0215] FIGS. 32A-32E illustrate steps that may be carried out
during a procedure for implanting an expandable extra-gastric
device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Prior to making an incision, the local area (the area of the skin
in and surrounding the location where the incision is to be made)
may be prepared by disinfecting with alcohol and or betadine.
Additionally, the patient may be given a mild sedative or may be on
conscious sedation. (Although not practiced in this particular
procedure, a similar procedure could be practiced with placing the
patient under general anesthesia, in which case anesthetics would
not need to be injected as described in the next step.) Next a
powerful local anesthetic such as marcaine (bupivicaine) or other
powerful anesthetic, optionally mixed with an epinephrine or other
vasoconstrictor to reduce any bleeding that might result from mild
trauma, is injected into the local area through the skin 125 of the
patient 1 down to the muscular layer and to infiltrate the fat
layer and entire local area. Injection may be performed using a
syringe 219, as illustrated in FIG. 32A, or other injection tool.
After allowing time for the injected anesthesia to take effect, a
small incision 223 (e.g., no greater than about seven cm or no
greater than about five cm) is made in the skin 125 of the patient
1, with a scalpel 229 or other surgical cutting tool, in the local
area over the surgical target area where device 10 is to be
implanted. In the example shown, the incision 223 is made slightly
inferior to the lower rib line 114. (FIG. 32A shows a frontal
schematic view of the abdominal portion of the patient 1).
[0216] A delivery tract is then opened from opening 223 through the
subcutaneous tissues and abdominal wall to provide an access
opening into the abdominal cavity. For example, the delivery tract
may be formed by starting with a small incision 223, 225 and then
inserting a small port under visual guidance (for example, with
VISIPORT.TM., or the like) to provide safe access into the
abdominal cavity. Alternatively, the delivery tract can be made
with a cannula and a veress-style needle within it which is
subsequently exchanged, after access into the abdominal cavity,
with a wire, such as guidewire 502 or a viewing wire to allow
exchange of the cannula and insertion of a larger bore access
sheath over a dilator over the wire. Once the delivery tract has
been established, device 10 in a compact configuration is inserted
through opening 223 and advanced along the tract, through the
opening in the abdominal wall and placed in the abdominal cavity.
FIG. 32B illustrates device 10 having been compacted to a
substantially cylindrical configuration and being fed through the
opening 223. This compact configuration can be pushed along the
tract without any other delivery mechanism. Optionally, a sheath or
cannula 17 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 32B) may be used for
delivery of device 10 therethrough.
[0217] When the expandable member 10em has been completely inserted
into the abdominal cavity (which can be verified by laparoscope or
by other indirect visualization apparatus for a percutaneous step,
or both), and optionally any buoyancy member 10bm or insert for a
buoyancy member 10bm has been inserted into the expandable member
10em, (in those arrangements where a buoyancy member 10bm or
portion of a buoyancy member 10bm is inserted after placement of
expandable member 10em into the abdominal cavity) then cannula or
sheath 17, if used, is removed from the patient and a puncture or
very small incision is made in the skin 125 at a location that
generally overlies a location of the abdominal wall that the
surgeon wants to anchor an inferior portion of expandable member
10em to. The opening through which device 10 is inserted may range
from about 5 mm up to about 5 cm, or up to about 7 cm. The
punctures are much smaller that the opening through which the
device 10 is passed.
[0218] Graspers 784 or other instrument are then inserted through
incision or puncture 225, as illustrated in FIG. 32C, to puncture
through the subcutaneous tissues, fascia and abdominal wall. It is
noted here that if the instrument that is inserted has a sharp
distal end, then the instrument may be used to form the puncture
225 through the skin 125 during the same procedural step of
puncturing through the subcutaneous tissues, fascia and abdominal
wall, thereby eliminating the need for a separate step to form
opening 225. When the distal end of the instrument enters the
abdominal cavity, it is maneuvered to capture (e.g., grasp, hook,
etc.) positioning loop 170. The instrument is then retracted out of
the body of the patient 1 at the same time pulling loop 170 out
through opening 225 as illustrated in FIG. 32D. Positioning loop
170 is pulled as described above to draw the inferior portion of
expandable member 10em up against the interior wall surface of the
abdominal wall and to generally locate it where it is to be
anchored. Loop 170 is then anchored to the external surface of the
abdominal wall and/or fascia and the portion of loop extending
proximally from the anchoring location is cut off and removed, as
described previously. One or more positioning tabs 154 may be
grasped or otherwise used to help move and orient device 10 along
with positioning by positioning loop 170. For example, another set
of graspers 784 can be inserted through opening 223 to grasp a
positioning tab 154 to assist in movements of the device 10. Also,
the instrument inserted through opening 225 can first grasp or
otherwise temporarily attach to one or more positioning tabs
(sequentially) to perform movements of device 10 prior to engaging
loop 170 and pulling it out of the abdominal cavity.
[0219] When positioning loop 170 has been anchored externally of
the abdominal cavity, additional punctures or small incisions are
made in order to perform the procedural steps for tying off the
sutures 180 (or additional loops 170 if they are provided to
substitute for sutures 180). FIG. 32E illustrates eight additional
incisions or punctures 225a-225h made to carry out the anchoring
procedures for the sutures 180 and/or additional loops 170, for an
arrangement of sutures 180 and/or additional loops 170 shown in
FIG. 27. It is noted that punctures/incisions 225c-225f in this
arrangement are used as entry points for establishing two adjacent
punctures each through the fascia and abdominal wall.
[0220] After completing the tying off or otherwise securing of the
sutures 180 and/or additional loops 170 is completed and suture
material and/or suture loop material extending proximally from the
ties is removed, the incisions/punctures 225 are closed, such as by
suturing. An access member 80 can be installed according to any of
the techniques and in any of the locations described in co-pending
application Ser. No. (application No. not yet assigned, Attorney's
Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2), in provisional Application Ser. No.
60/877,595, in application Ser. No. 11/407,701, or as described
herein. Buoyancy member 10bm, if inflatable can then be inflated
with a gas, and expandable member 10em can be inflated with a
liquid. Opening 223, as well as, optionally, any additional opening
that may have been created for installation of access member 80 are
then closed off, such as by suturing, to complete the procedure.
Alternatively, the buoyancy member 10bm can be integrated with/or
double as an anchoring frame 600, as described in more detail
below, which may allow for a smaller incision to be made in the
patient, while still providing a buoyancy feature.
[0221] FIGS. 33A-33K illustrate steps that may be carried out
during a procedure for implanting an expandable extra-gastric
device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in
which the implantation may be performed through a single small
opening 227 in the patient. This opening may be sized to have a
length or diameter in the range of about 5 mm to about 5 cm, for
example, or may have a length or diameter up to about 7 cm, for
example. Prior to making the opening 227, the local area (the area
of the skin 125 in and surrounding the location where the incision
is to be made) may be prepared by disinfecting with alcohol and or
betadine. Additionally, the patient may be given a mild sedative or
may be on conscious sedation. Though not preferred, the procedure
can also be carried out under general anesthesia.
[0222] Next a powerful local anesthetic such as marcaine
(bupivicaine) or other powerful anesthetic, optionally mixed with
an epinephrine or other vasoconstrictor to reduce any bleeding that
might result from mild trauma can be injected into the local area
through the skin 125 of the patient 1 down to the muscular layer
and to infiltrate the fat layer and entire local area (the
anesthetic portion of the mixture may not be needed if the
procedure is performed under general anesthesia). Injection may be
performed using a syringe 219, as illustrated in FIG. 33A, or other
injection tool. After allowing time for the injected anesthesia to
take effect, access to the abdominal cavity is gained by insertion
of a needle 501 (e.g., veress needle) through the skin 125 of the
patient 1, in the local area generally over the surgical target
area where device 10 is to be implanted. A conventional veress
needle does not have a lumen for a guidewire. By adding a small
sheath outside the shaft of the veress needle apparatus, a modified
veress needle is created such that a guidewire 502 can be easily
introduced through the sheath. Optionally, this step may be
visualized directly via a scope, as needle 501 can be provided with
a scope. For example, a laparoscope 503 can be inserted into a
trocar 504 (shown in phantom in FIG. 33A) having a blunt end that
can be inserted which has a blunt distal end that performs
effective separation of tissues as the trocar 504 and laparoscope
503 are advanced toward and into the abdominal cavity. By inserting
the laparoscope 503 though this blunt-ended port/trocar, the
tissues can be visualized as entry is made into the abdomen. When
the surgeon sees intra-abdominal fat, the surgeon knows to stop
pushing on the endoscope, or other instrument, since it is known
that the abdominal cavity has been entered. Alternatively, a
procedure may be done with a cannula, veress-like needle and
dilator/sheath as described above. Additionally, or alternatively
when scope 503 is note used, this step can optionally be visualized
under fluoroscopy or other indirect visualization mechanism.
[0223] FIG. 33B is a view of the ribs and stomach 120 with an
indication of the location on the surface of the skin 125 through
which needle 501 and guidewire 502 can be inserted. FIG. 33B
illustrates that the location of insertion can be well below the
xiphoid, to the left of midline, near the palpated edge of the
costal cartilages (whereas FIG. 33A indicates that the insertion
can alternatively be performed slightly inferior to the lower rib
line 114, as shown in the frontal schematic view of the abdominal
portion of the patient 1).
[0224] A dilator, such as an access sheath or cannula 535 having a
tapering distal end portion that gradually increases in outside
diameter from a distal end in a proximal direction can optionally
be inserted over a guidewire 502, as illustrated in FIG. 33C, after
gaining access to the abdominal cavity with a cannula and
veress-like needle and exchanging needle with guidewire 502, in a
manner as described above.
[0225] FIG. 33D illustrates the insertion of guidewire 502 to
follow the contour of the caudal surface of the left hemisphere of
the diaphragm as it is pushed up and around the stomach 120, as far
as the spleen. The distal end of guidewire 502 may be provided in a
"J" shape or other bent shape to make it more atraumatic.
Alternatively, a rod may be inserted instead of guidewire 502, such
as a rod that is stiffer than a guidewire and/or that has regions
of varying stiffness or flexibility and/or that has an outside
diameter greater than a typical guidewire and which may optionally
include one or more lumens for fluid injection, suctioning,
visualization, etc. Further alternatively, a flexible, steerable
endoscope may be inserted in place of guidewire 502 and used as a
guide rail for delivery of device 10 (as well as, optionally, other
devices or instruments) thereover and into the abdominal cavity, as
described in more detail in copending application Ser. No.
(application Ser. No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No.
EXPL-001CIP2) Still further alternatively, a flexible wire that is
similar in construction to guidewire 502 may be inserted in place
of guidewire 502, wherein the flexible wire is only slightly larger
in cross-sectional diameter, and includes one or more optical
fibers extending the length thereof, as described in more detail in
copending application Ser. No. (application Ser. No. not yet
assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2) Still further
alternatively, more than one guidewire 502 or rod or flexible wire
may be inserted. For example, if device 10 is designed to ride over
multiple tracks on anchoring frame 600, then multiple guidewires
502 may be inserted, one for each track to ride over. Once the
guidewire 502 has been placed as desired, needle 501 (if a veress
needle 501 is used) is pulled off of guidewire 502 and removed. A
dilator 535 can be inserted, or series of increasingly larger
dilators 535 can be sequentially inserted at this point to enlarge
the opening through the patient. If dilator 535 was used during the
insertion of guidewire 502, then increased dilation can be
performed by sequential removal and replacement of one or more
larger dilators 535. The last used dilator 535 is left in position
to function as a port 535.
[0226] An anchoring frame 600 and an anchoring frame delivery tool
630 on which anchoring frame 600 is mounted (in any of the manners
described in application Ser. No. (application Ser. No. not yet
assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2 or herein) are
advanced over guidewire 502 and through dilator/port 535 (see FIG.
33E) after which anchoring frame delivery tool 630 is operated to
deliver anchoring frame 600 into the target position along the
abdominal wall, where it is anchored there. Prior to anchoring, the
surgeon will check to ensure that no bowel, omentum or other tissue
is located between the anchoring frame 600/tool 630 and the
abdominal wall 127. Optionally, instrument 630 may be provided with
a scope, either flexible or rigid to facilitate direct
visualization of delivery and anchoring of the anchoring frame 600.
Alternatively, indirect visualization, such as fluoroscopy,
electromagnetic visualization mechanisms, or other indirect
visualization systems can be used. Further alternatively, both
direct and indirect visualization may be used. Anchoring may be
performed by a variety of different attachment means, including,
but not limited to sutures, staples, adhesives, tacks, needles, or
combinations thereof.
[0227] After anchoring the anchoring frame 600 to the abdominal
wall 127, anchoring frame delivery tool is then removed from
dilator/cannula 535 and off guidewire 502. FIG. 33F illustrates a
sectional view of the patient 1 (viewed from the feet of the
patient) that shows the anchoring of anchoring frame 600 to the
abdominal wall 127, with the anchoring frame delivery tool 630
having been removed. FIG. 33G is a schematic illustration from a
frontal view perspective, showing the anchoring frame 600 anchored
in place against the anterior abdominal wall 127, as also shown in
the sectional view of FIG. 33F.
[0228] Once anchoring frame has been anchored to the target
location, as illustrated in FIGS. 33F and 33G, a device deployment
tool 660 having already been preloaded with a device 10 in a
collapsed or compressed configuration, is next advanced over the
guidewire 502 and over anchoring frame 600 in any of the manners
described in application Ser. No. (application Ser. No. not yet
assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2) or herein, and as
illustrated in FIG. 33H. Positioning of the device 10 can be
monitored during this delivery using fluoroscopy, X-ray, CT or MRI
visualization guidance, for example, or simply via direct
visualization with an endoscope, such as a flexible endoscope
inserted through sheath/cannula 535, for example, or extended
through deployment tool 600, or optionally, though not preferred,
through another opening provided through the patient's skin and
into the abdominal cavity. Device 10 is advanced to the end of
anchoring frame where it automatically locks into position there.
Insertion of any of the anchoring frame 600 and anchoring frame
delivery tool, device 10 and device delivery tool, and/or any of
the instruments and/or devices used to access the abdominal cavity
are typically performed without insufflation, but may be assisted
by what is referred to "mini-insufflation" where the entire
abdominal cavity is not insufflated, as in the typical insufflation
procedure, but small bursts of insufflation gas are intermittently
inputted to facilitate separation of anatomical structures to help
develop the insertion path. Thus, a small burst could be associated
with a small advancement of an instrument or device, followed by
another small burst to help advance the instrument or device
incrementally, and so forth, until the target location has been
reached. Alternatively, impulses of liquid (e.g., saline) can be
sprayed to accomplish the same task (e.g., to clear and path and
provide enhanced visibility). Further alternatively, although not
preferred, traditional insufflation can be performed. This would
typically only be done when the less preferred option of using
general anesthesia is also performed.
[0229] FIG. 33I shows a sectional illustration of device 10 having
been locked into position on anchoring frame 600, with device
delivery tool 660 having been removed. At this stage, when the
surgeon is satisfied that device 10 has been properly positioned
and locked to anchoring frame 600, cannula/port 535 and guidewire
502 are both removed. At least one conduit 12 will remain extending
will remain extending from device 10, proximally out through the
opening 227 for inflation of expandable member 10em and, optionally
one or more buoyancy members 10bm when one or more inflatable
buoyancy members are provided. The one or more conduits 12 can then
be used to inflate the one or more buoyancy members 10bm with gas
(when buoyancy member 10bm is of an inflatable variety) and to
inflate expandable member 10em with liquid. Further alternatively,
one or more conduits may extend through the opening 227 to allow a
wire, strut, tube or other structural support member to be inserted
to support either buoyancy member 10bm or expandable member 10em,
or to insert a buoyancy member 10bm into expandable member
10em.
[0230] Optionally, expandable member 10em may be inflated at this
stage to test the amount of displacement and positioning of the
device 10 when in an expanded configuration, which may help to
determine whether device 10 will perform as intended. One method of
testing in this manner is with the use of an intra-gastric sizing
device 310 (e.g. an intra-gastric balloon catheter) in a manner as
described in application Ser. No. 11/407,701 and application Ser.
No. (application Ser. No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No.
EXPL-001CIP2). Additionally, or alternatively, testing may be
performed by visually observing the effects of expansion, such as
by inputting radiopaque fluid into the stomach 120, and/or by
observing the expansion of the device when it is provided with one
or more radiopaque indicators. Visualization, in such instances may
be performed fluoroscopically or with other X-ray visualization,
for example.
[0231] At this time, any extending conduit(s) 12 can be either
clamped off to maintain the pressures within expandable member 10em
(and optionally buoyancy member 10bm), or the pressures can be
released, thereby allowing expandable members 10em (and optionally,
buoyancy member 10bm) to at least partially deflate. It is easier
procedurally to release the pressures and so this is typically
done. However, the surgeon may choose to clamp off the conduit(s)
to maintain at least partial pressure in at least the expandable
member 10em to help maintain it in the observed
position/orientation. In any case, conduit(s) 12 is/are next
trimmed to an appropriate length for connection with an adjustment
member 80, as illustrated in FIG. 33J.
[0232] Conduit(s) 12 are connected to a mating connector on
adjustment member 80 or to a deployment tool 370 configured to mate
conduit 12 with adjustment member 80, and, after connection of
conduit 12 to adjustment member 80, adjustment member deployment
tool 370 is then used to anchor adjustment member 80 to the
patient. Adjustment member 80 can be anchored using anchoring
members that may be made as any of a number of different
configurations, including, but not limited to: protruding pins,
protruding staples, moly bolt, snap fit with portion placed against
interior abdominal wall surface; extendable hooks actuated upon
torquing a portion of the adjustment member 80 relative to another
portion, etc. By advancing deployment tool 370 into the patient,
the portion of conduit that had extended from the patient 1 is
pushed back into the patient, until the adjustment member is
positioned in the target location where it is intended to be
anchored. This positioning can be verified using any of the
previously described visualization techniques, or can be performed
blindly, with feedback from palpitation, for example. In the
example shown in FIG. 33K, adjustment member 80 is anchored
subcutaneously, to the external surface of the abdominal wall 127.
As has been disclosed previously in applications relied upon for
priority and incorporated herein, adjustment member 80 can
alternatively be anchored subcutaneously, to an inner layer of the
skin for example, or otherwise in the fat layer 131 without being
anchored directly to the abdominal wall 127.
[0233] Once adjustment member 80 has been anchored in the desired
location, deployment tool 370 is withdrawn and expandable member
10em is inflated with liquid to expand it to the desired size or
pressure, and buoyancy member 10bm, if it is an inflatable
variation can be inflated with gas to a desired pressure. This can
be a re-inflation step if the expandable member 10em (and
optionally the buoyancy member 10b had been previously inflated for
testing and then deflated, or partially deflated. In this way, the
patient can begin to experience beneficial weight loss from the
effects of device 10 on the stomach 120 beginning immediately after
completion of the procedure, unlike current procedures, which
typically require around six weeks before a return visit to
"complete" the procedure to make it effective in helping weight
loss. The same type or types of monitoring can be used here, as
described in application Ser. No. (application Ser. No. not yet
assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2), to provide feedback
as to when the expandable member 10em and/or buoyancy member 10bm
has been expanded by the desired amount or pressure. Alternatively,
expandable member may be left in an unexpanded or partially
expanded configuration, with the patient being allowed to heal and
then return to have the expandable members 10em fully inflated.
Further alternatively, device 10 may be implanted in combination
with a constricting band, such as the LAPBAND.TM. or similar
implant to improve results from such constricting band, or to make
weight loss efficacious where prior implantation of such a
constricting band has not been efficacious. For example, a
constricting band generally useful for restricting the amount of
solid food ingested by the patient 1. However, a patient 1 may
"cheat" the effectiveness of a constricting band approach by
drinking high caloric liquids, for example. For example, a patient
could drink a thirty-two ounce milkshake and this would pass right
through the constriction established by the constricting band.
However, with device 10 implanted and expanded as described, the
stomach is preventing from expanding, even by high caloric
liquids.
[0234] Once the surgeon is satisfied that the expandable member
10em has been expanded by the desired amount and, optionally, the
buoyancy member has been inflated to the desired pressure, or,
alternatively, if the expandable member 10em is to be left in a
contracted (unexpanded or partially expanded) state, the patient is
closed, including, suturing the skin 125 at the site of the opening
227.
[0235] Any of the variations of the procedural steps described
above may be executed under indirect visualization, such as
fluoroscopic visualization, 3-dimensional navigation or other
CT/MRI guidance, or three dimensional RF or electromagnetic
visualization (e.g., using pre-existing or real-time data sets from
MRI, cat scan, three-dimensional ultrasound or other
three-dimensional data set). Further alternatively or additionally,
any of these procedural steps may be directly visualized using a
scope such as a laparoscope or other flexible or rigid endoscope. A
scope may also be integrated into a tool used to perform one or
more of these steps.
[0236] All tools referenced in the above procedure may include
lumens to permit insertion of other tools and/or devices
therethrough, including, but not limited to: endoscopes, wires,
etc. and/or to allow delivery of suction, irrigation, and/or other
substances. Alternatively to mounting the adjustment member 80 to
conduit 12 in any of the manners described above, adjustment member
may be pre-attached or integral with conduit 12.
[0237] No tissues around the stomach area are required to be
dissected when performing the procedures described above with
regard to FIGS. 33A-33K. This also applies to procedures described
with regard to FIGS. 32A-32E. This is a major factor in why general
anesthesia is not required to perform the procedures, why
insufflation is not required, and consequently why these procedures
can be performed in a physician's exam room and are not required to
be performed in an operating room Further, with regard to the
procedures described with regard to FIGS. 33A-33K, no tissue
dissection is required other than that to perform the single entry
location through the skin and abdominal wall. The single access
port procedures make this a very minimally invasive procedure.
Also, in all procedures described, no stapling or attachment to the
stomach is required. That is, the stomach 120 is not attached to
device 10 in any way and is free to move relative to device 10 and
to the other contents of the abdominal cavity, except for the
constraints provided by the space occupied by device 10. This
greatly minimizes, if not eliminates problems of erosion
experienced by prior art solutions that do attach to the stomach or
pierce through the stomach wall, as force concentrations, such as
shear force concentration are not built up between device 10 and
the stomach 120.
[0238] FIG. 34 illustrates restriction of the stomach 120 from
expanding to its post-prandial, expanded configuration by
implantation of device 10. As can be seen the fundus is
substantially restricted from where it would otherwise normally
expand and the stomach is restrained to a shape resembling a tube,
not dissimilar to a shape resulting from a sleeve gastrectomy, but,
of course achieved in a very minimally invasive manner. At least a
portion of the antrum 120a is left unrestrained to allow it to
perform its normal functions, such as contractions to move food
into the small intestines by ejecting it from the stomach 120 with
muscular contractions. Additionally, a small pouch 120p may be left
at the superior end portion of the stomach 120 that provides a
small capacitance or chamber for receiving food and then signaling
the patient that it is full when this small chamber is filled,
similar to a functionality provided by a banding procedure, such as
the LAPBAND.TM. procedure, for example. Under conditions where the
stomach is empty (e.g., has substantially no food in it), device 10
may not exert any additional pressure (or only minimal additional
pressure) to the stomach 120. That is the stomach 120 will
experience substantially only "normal" abdominal pressures (i.e.,
close to the pressures that it would experience if there were no
implant in the abdominal cavity). Thus, significant forces are only
generated between device 10 and the stomach 120 when the patient
eats.
[0239] With regard to procedural embodiments involving the
anchoring of anchoring frame 600 to an internal abdominal
structure, FIGS. 35A-35D illustrate an alternative instrument and
method to that described in application Ser. No. (application Ser.
No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2), e.g.,
see FIG. 18B and the description thereof in application Ser. No.
(application Ser. No. not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No.
EXPL-001CIP2). FIG. 35B illustrates a partial view of an anchoring
frame deployment tool 630, showing a distal portion of shaft 634
with anchoring frame 600 mounted to distal end portion 634d.
[0240] Shaft 634 articulates, via one or more articulating joints
644 to move distal end portion 634d angularly relative to a portion
of shaft 634 proximal of distal end portion 634d. An articulation
actuator 646 (see FIG. 35B) is provided on or near handle 632 of
tool 600 for operation by a user to control the articulation of
distal portion 634d of shaft 634. In the example shown,
articulation actuator 646 is a rotatable wheel that is rotatable in
a first direction to articulate distal portion 634d in a first
angular direction about joint 644, while rotation of actuator 646
in the opposite direction articulates distal portion 634d in the
opposite direction. Articulation actuator 646 and/or articulation
joint 644 provide frictional resistance, so that when actuator 646
is not being rotated, distal portion 634d is maintained in its
orientation relative to proximal portion 634p. Alternatively, the
straight shaft portion 6349 and articulation feature may be
replaced by a curved shaft having no articulating feature 644.
[0241] Distal portion 634d includes a recess, cavity or slot 650
configured to receive anchoring frame 600 therein. Thus, recess,
cavity or slot 650 is shaped and dimensioned to receive anchoring
frame 600 therein and to confine anchoring frame 600 from movements
axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of distal portion
634d. Frame 600 may be received in recess, cavity or slot 650 by
friction fit and/or a releasable clamping mechanism 651 maybe
optionally provided on opposite sides of slot, recess or cavity 650
for releasably clamping frame 600 wherein it is received therein,
with clamping and releasing motions being controlled by clamp
actuator 653.
[0242] In use, after insertion and placement of guidewire 502, such
as in a procedure as described above, deployment tool 630 is passed
over guidewire 502, with the proximal end of guidewire first being
inserted into the distal end of shaft 634, through shaft 634 and
handle 632 and proximally out of handle 632, as illustrated in FIG.
35B. By insertion of tool 630 into the abdominal cavity, the
abdominal wall (e.g., the anterior abdominal wall can be accessed.
This portion of the procedure, as well as other steps described
below may be indirectly visualized using fluoroscopy and/or any of
the other indirect visualization methods described above.
Additionally, or alternatively, tool 630 may be configured to
receive an endoscope 537 (shown in phantom in FIG. 35B) that can be
used for direct viewing of the procedure. Thus, endoscope 537 can
be used to directly view the placement of anchoring frame 600. A
video camera 538 may be provided on endoscope 537 so as to monitor
the visualization on a screen, or, optionally, viewing may be
performed directly through an ocular.
[0243] A window or opening 648 may be provided proximally of
articulating joint 644 to enable viewing through the distal end of
endoscope 537 that is positioned in shaft 634 at the location of
opening/window 648 when endoscope 537 is inserted into tool 630.
Window/opening 648 may be an opening (e.g., cutout), or may be a
window, e.g., a cutout that is sealed over with a transparent
material.
[0244] Visualization, whether indirect, direct, or indirect and
direct, is performed to ensure that there is no tissue located
between the anchoring site (e.g., anterior abdominal wall 127) and
anchoring frame 600 (see FIG. 35A) prior to anchoring the frame 600
to the anchoring site. Once it has been visually confirmed that
there is no tissue intervening between frame 600 and the anchoring
site, actuator 646 is manipulated to rotate distal portion 634d up
against the anchoring site, thereby contacting surface a contact
surface of frame 600 to the anchoring site. Anchors 610 in the form
of elongated flexible needles 610n having sutures 59 connected
thereto and extending therefrom are next deployed through openings
in the anchoring frame 600, through the internal abdominal
structure to be anchored to (e.g., the anterior abdominal wall 127
in this case) through the subcutaneous fat layer 131 and the skin
125 and therefore out of the patient 1, as illustrated in FIG. 35C.
This deployment may be actuated by an actuator 647. For example,
actuator 647 may be connected to one or more push rods 631 that
abut against ends of needles 610n to provide a driving force to
push needles 610n through the internal abdominal anchoring site and
other tissues noted above. Push rod(s) 631 may be flexible, but
have sufficient column strength so that it/they do not buckle under
the compression put on them by actuator 647 during deployment, but
rather transfer the compression forces to needles 610n to move them
out of the tool 630 (distal end portion 634d). Actuator 647 may be
connected about shaft 634 for relative sliding with respect thereto
via slot 647s. Needles 610n can be very thin, e.g., like
acupuncture needles, and also have sufficient column strength to
pass through the structures described without buckling.
[0245] Needles 610n are then disengaged from the needle delivery
mechanism (e.g., push rods 631). Needles 601n can be directly
attached to sutures that reside within the channels of the delivery
device (not shown). The back end of the sutures can be looped and
held on a hook attached to a handle on the device to allow
retraction of the needles into the device if initial deployment was
not satisfactory. This hook mechanism can be actuated to release
the sutures via a button on the handle when the needle locations
are determined to be acceptable, allowing the suture/needle units
to be pulled by the operation outward until they engage the
anchoring platform. There are many other alternative mechanisms,
widely known in the art, to grasp and release a thread like a
suture, including mechanisms that cut the sutures from a fixed
location, mechanisms that open up a clamp that was holding the
sutures in a fixed location, mechanisms for releasing a lock on a
spool where sutures are wrapped and initially retained within the
deployment device, etc.
[0246] Next, the surgeon, pulls the needles 610n the rest of the
way out of the patient 1, and continues this retraction until knots
or other anchors (e.g., T-bars, or the like) at the ends of sutures
59 are stopped against anchoring frame 600 Alternatively, sutures
59 may be looped 59k through anchoring frame 600, so that adjacent
pairs of needles 610n are connected to opposite ends of a looped
suture 59. The needles 610n are removed from the sutures 59,
leaving organized sutures precisely delivered through anchoring
frame and the internal anchoring structure, precisely deliver
through key strategic locations through anchoring frame 600
designed to optimally secure the anchoring frame 600 to the
internal abdominal structure. Alternative embodiments may replace
the sutures with other flexible members. For example, polypropylene
mesh ribbons may be substituted. Further alternatively, a
combination of sutures and mesh ribbons may be used, where the
flexible member 59 begins as a suture where it connects with the
needle, and transitions into a ribbon. An advantage of a
combination such as this is that the sutures are more easily
delivered out through the abdominal wall, while the ribbons provide
potentially better fixation to the abdominal wall.
[0247] Sutures 59 may be fixed externally of the abdominal cavity
by tying them down, according to a procedure similar to that
described above with regard to FIGS. 27-28 (e.g., by tying two
suture ends together to form a loop), or a knot pusher tool 669 can
be used to slide a self-locking clip 667 that can be advanced
distally over suture 59 toward the abdominal wall 127, but which is
configured to prevent backsliding in a proximal direction, over
suture 59 and against the fascia or abdominal wall, or as close
thereto as possible as there may be a small amount of fat 131
clamped between clip 667 and the fascia/abdominal wall 127, thereby
securing a portion of anchoring frame 600 to the internal abdominal
structure (in this case, the inner surface of the anterior
abdominal wall 127) by the tension generated in suture 59. The
distal end of knot pusher tool 669 may have a sharp edge portion
that can be used to cut off the portion of suture 59 that extends
proximally from the location of clip 667 in its fully advanced
position. This cut off portion of the suture and the knot pusher
tool 669 are then removed from the patient. Each remaining suture
59 is thereafter sequentially tied/clipped down to securely anchor
the entire anchoring frame, thereby forming an array of distributed
anchoring forces distributed over the anchoring frame 600.
[0248] FIG. 35E is an illustration of the patient's skin 125 with
needles 610n protruding through openings 228 formed by piercing the
needles 610n therethrough during performance of the step described
with regard to FIG. 26C above. Anchoring frame 600, which has been
contacted against the anterior internal abdominal wall surface, is
shown in phantom. FIG. 35F illustrates sutures 509 extending from
openings 228 through the skin after removal of needles 610n.
[0249] FIG. 35G illustrates one embodiment of a suture lock or clip
667 installed over a suture 59. Clip 667 can be freely advanced
over suture 59 in the direction indicated by the arrow, but
prevents sliding in the opposite direction, as teeth or cammed
surfaces 667t bite into the suture 59 if clip is attempted to be
slid in the opposite direction, thereby preventing backsliding of
clip 667. FIG. 35H illustrates a distal end portion or working end
of knot pusher tool 669 being used to lock down a clip 667 in a
manner as described above. Tool 669 includes a distal end pusher
669p configured to interface with a proximal surface of clip 667 so
as to form a secure engagement therewith as force is applied
therethrough to push clip 667 along suture 59. Tool 669 further
includes a cutter portion 669c proximal of pusher 669p and through
which suture is threaded. Cutter portion 669c includes a sharp edge
or blade 669b that can be actuated from a proximal end portion of
tool 669 once clip has been advanced over suture 59 as far as it is
going to be advance to engage the fascia, abdominal wall, or fat
near the fascia/abdominal wall. Actuation of cutter edge 669b cuts
through the suture 59 leaving a short proximal tail that extends
from clip 667 by a length about equal to the distance between
pusher 669p and cutting edge 669b.
[0250] FIG. 35I illustrates another embodiment of a knot pusher
tool 669 wherein the cutter portion 669c is axially aligned with
pusher 669p. Thus suture 59 extend straight through the opening in
pusher 669p and the opening in cuter portion 669c out though the
central lumen of tool 669. Cutter portion includes a V-shaped
sharpened edge 669b that may be beveled on the underside, so that
suture 59 freely passes over the edge 669b as tool 669 is being
advanced distally over the suture 59. However, as soon as tool 669
is retracted proximally with respect to suture 59, the beveled side
of sharpened edge 669b begins to bite into suture 59 and forces it
into the wedge-shape toward the apex of the V-shaped edge, thereby
cutting the suture and leaving a tail having a length about equal
to the distance between pusher 669p and the apex of the V-shaped
cutting edge 669b.
[0251] FIG. 36A illustrates an alternative arrangement of needle
610n and anchoring member 59 that can be used for anchoring an
anchoring frame 600 in a manner like that described above with
regard to FIGS. 35A-35I with variations described hereafter. In
order to deploy needles to extend out through the abdomen of a
patient 1, needles 610n may need to be long enough to extend
through the abdominal wall of an obese patient, e.g., on the order
of about five inches to about eight inches, typically about seven
inches. Accordingly as already noted, needles 610n typically
require the ability to be bent without plastically deforming as
they are redirected from extending in a direction along a length of
a deployment instrument, to a direction substantially perpendicular
thereto, to deliver needles 610n through the anchoring frame 600,
the abdominal wall 127 and out of the patient 1. FIG. 36A shows
only a portion of distal end portion 634d that contains a radiused
portion of channel 634c having a controlled radius to redirect
needle 610n through the anchoring frame 600 (not shown in FIG. 36A,
for simplicity), without plastically deforming the needle 610n. For
example, needle 610n may be formed of superelastic material, such
as nickel-titanium alloy. Needle 610n may optionally include
derailing feature 610p at or near the end opposite the sharp,
leading end, that connects to the anchoring member and that, when
contacting the radiused portion, does not enter the radiused
portion, but "kicks out" sideways so that the anchoring portion 59
does not need to be drawn through the radiused portion.
Alternatively, the anchoring portion 59 can be drawn through the
radiused portion, following the needle 610n. The device that
deploys the needles may have a mechanism for pushing the needles
from a proximally locating starting position, where the starting
positions of the needle tips are near the locations where they exit
the device, and the needles, being quite long extend proximally
along (within) the shaft of the device such that the proximal end
of the needles having a starting location with the device shaft
that is outside of the abdominal cavity. The mechanism pushes the
needles along the device shaft to extend the needles outward to
pierce through the abdominal wall. The needles have sufficient
length so that they are still being pushed by the mechanism as the
needle tips exit the skin of the patient. Once the needles are
fully advanced, they are disengaged from the mechanical pushing
mechanism. The user can then continue to draw the needles out of
the patient and thereby draw the trailing suture/ribbon out through
the abdominal wall. The mechanism for pushing the needles can be
mechanical or pneumatic in nature, powered by energy inputted by
the user, or by stored in energy in the mechanism, such as springs
or compressed gas.
[0252] Needle 610n may be alternatively connected to a mesh ribbon
59r, as shown in FIG. 36A, rather than a suture 59. Mesh ribbon 59r
may be made from polypropylene mesh, or the like, and may be made
to be more durable than a suture 59, both during assembly of the
deployment device, as well as during deployment of the needles 610n
and ribbons 59r. Also ribbon 59r has lots of surface area, compared
to a suture 59, any portion of which can be easily engaged by
barbs. In at least one embodiment, ribbon 59r includes directional
barbs 59b that point away from the end of the ribbon 59r being
pulled through the skin of the patient 1. When ribbon 59r has been
pulled sufficiently through the abdominal wall to draw anchoring
frame 600 against the inner surface of the abdominal wall, release
of tension on ribbon 59r causes barbs 59b outside of the abdominal
wall 127 and nearest to the outer surface of the abdominal wall
127/fascia to catch against the abdominal wall 127/fascia, thereby
piercing into the abdominal wall 127/fascia and flaring out
radially somewhat, as illustrated in FIG. 36H. This securely
anchors ribbon 59r, preventing it from backsliding through the
abdominal wall, and maintaining tension on anchoring frame 600 to
hold it against the abdominal wall. The barbs on the ribbons can be
large features, or so small as to be a microscopic texture that
achieves the same effect. The barbs can be utilized to engage into
the tissue, or, alternatively, the large barbs can be used to lock
into an externally loaded, washer-like implant that ratchets down
the barbs and locks in place about the fascia, thereby preventing
the ribbon and implant form moving away from the fascia. When
deploying needles 610n having mesh ribbons 610r connected thereto
through the internal abdominal structure to be anchored to (e.g.,
the anterior abdominal wall 127 in this case) through the fascia
and subcutaneous fat layer 131 and the skin 125 and therefore out
of the patient 1, after removing needles 610n from the mesh ribbon
59r portions extending out of the abdomen, mesh ribbons can be
anchored externally of the abdominal cavity by tying them down,
according to a procedure similar to that described above with
regard to FIGS. 27-28 (e.g., by tying two mesh ribbons 59r together
to form a loop, or suture(s) can be used to tie the ribbons 59r to
the fascia wall, optionally using device aids to place sutures, or
a knot pusher tool 669 can be used to slide a speed nut 667 that
can be advanced distally over ribbon 59r toward the abdominal wall
127, but which is configured to prevent backsliding in a proximal
direction, over ribbon 59r, similar to the method described with
regard to FIGS. 35G-35I above. Speed nut 667 can be advanced
against the fascia or abdominal wall, or as close thereto as
possible as there may be a small amount of fat 131 clamped between
speed nut 667 and the fascia/abdominal wall 127, thereby securing a
portion of anchoring frame 600 to the internal abdominal structure
(in this case, the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall
127) by the tension generated in ribbon 59r.
[0253] FIG. 36B illustrates an embodiment of speed nut 667. Speed
nut 667 may be made of metal, such as stainless steel,
nickel-titanium alloy or the like, or rigid polymer, either
resorbable or non-resorbable. Speed nut 667 may also be formed from
a flexible plastic as long as the gripping features, such as barbs,
spears or other gripping features are strong enough to maintain
attachment of speed nut 667 to the ribbon or suture it is anchored
to. Speed nut 667 is provided with barbs 667b, so that speed nut
667 can be passed freely over ribbon 59r in the direction of the
arrow shown (e.g., toward the abdominal wall), but if an attempt is
made to slide speed nut 667 in the opposite direction relative to
ribbon 59r, barbs 667b engage in the ribbon 59r, through the holes
already existing in the mesh ribbon, or by creating holes in a
non-mesh ribbon, thereby stopping the motion and locking speed nut
667 relative to ribbon 59r with respect to motion in the reverse
direction of the arrow shown. Such barbs can be designed as shown,
or may have multiple teeth on the tip of each barb. FIG. 36C
illustrates a plurality of ribbons 59r having been anchored by
fixing speed nuts 667 against the external surface of the abdominal
wall 127/fascia, optionally with a minimal amount of fat
interposed, to distribute anchoring forces over anchoring frame 600
which is drawn against the internal surface of the abdominal
wall.
[0254] FIGS. 36D-36E illustrate another embodiment of a speed nut
667 that is configured to assume undeployed (or extended) and
deployed (or compressed) configurations or states. FIG. 36D shown
the uncompressed or extended configuration. In this configuration,
speed nut 667 can be freely slid over a ribbon 59r in both
directions. Once speed nut 667 is slid to a desired location with
respect to ribbon 59r, i.e., to a location where it is desired to
lock speed nut 667 with respect to ribbon 59r, speed nut 667 is
compressed or deployed to assume the compressed or deployed
configuration shown in FIG. 36E. This compression can be performed,
for example, using graspers or some other endoscopic clamping tool,
or a knot pusher tool may be configured to perform the compression
function. In the compressed configuration, barbs 667b are driven
radially inwards, thereby piercing into the ribbon 59r to lock the
position of speed nut 667 relative to ribbon 59r. At the same time,
flanges 667f extend radially outwardly, thereby increasing the
surface area against which the anchoring force is distributed, and
functioning like a washer to reduce the risk of pull through of the
speed nut through the abdominal wall. Additionally, locking
features 6671 engage one another, thereby locking speed nut 667 in
the compressed/deployed configuration. FIGS. 36F-36G show side and
perspective views of another embodiment of speed nut 667 having
multiple barbs 667b. The distal end portion 667d has an enlarged
face/surface area than the proximal end portion 667p to help
distribute the anchoring forces. Design of any of these speed nuts
attempts to keep the speed nut 667 to a minimum size to facilitate
it's passage through the needle puncture in the skin, and
facilitating passage through the fat layer, while making at least
the distal end surface sufficiently large so that the speed nut 667
will not pull through the fascia or abdominal wall at the location
where it is being anchored. In embodiments where the speed nut 667
is metal, there may not be a locking feature, as plastic
deformation of the metal may be utilized instead to transform and
hold the speed nut when driven from an undeployed to a deployed
state. Further alternatively, speed nut 667, whether made of metal
or polymer or some combination, may be provided with flange
elements that extend substantially parallel to the ribbon when in
an undeployed state, and, once the speed nut is located where it is
to lock the ribbon in position relative to the fascia, the flanges
can be folded proximally to provide a larger surface area to
prevent movement of speed nut 667 through the fascia. Flanges may
be bent until they collide with features on the speed nut that
prevent further rotation thereof. This embodiment does not require
locking mechanisms or plastic deformation to hold the flanges in
their deployed configuration.
[0255] In order to provide a wider anchoring frame 600 platform
that is not limited by the diameter of the opening through the
patient through which the anchoring frame is delivered, anchoring
frame 600 may be configured to be expandable, as illustrated in
FIGS. 37A-37B. As shown, anchoring frame 600 includes four
expandable arms or beams 600a. However, this embodiment is not
limited to four beams 600a as two, three, or greater than four
beams 600a may be employed and configured according to the
following description to perform similar functions. FIG. 37A
illustrates frame 600 in a collapsed configuration in which arms
600a are collapsed together to reduce the cross sectional
dimensions thereof to dimensions small enough to be passed through
the opening (e.g., 225 or 227) in the patient. Typically, a
delivery tool having a tube or cannula 635 is provided through
which the collapsed frame 600 can be slidingly passed for delivery
of the frame 600 into the abdominal cavity. FIG. 37B shows frame
600 in an expanded configuration after delivery through tube 635
into the abdominal cavity, where arms or beams 600a spread apart
from one another, or "fan out" to from the broad-based platform of
anchoring frame 600. Beams or arms 600a may be pivotally 637
connected to one another via pivot joints 636 and may be
spring-loaded 633 so as to spread apart (in the directions of the
arrows in FIG. 37B) when a constraining force holding the arms or
beams in the compact configuration of FIG. 37A is removed.
Alternatively, arms 600a may be configured to unwind like a clock
spring when compression forces of the deployment device are removed
from holding the frame in a compact configuration. Further
alternatively, arms or beams 600a maybe spread apart or radially
expanded by plastic deformation to maintain an expanded
configuration. For example, once the frame 600 has cleared the
delivery tool distal end portion 635, arms or beams 600a may spread
apart.
[0256] Arms or beams 600a are attached to a sheet of tissue
ingrowth material 602 that folds up, as illustrated (in phantom) in
FIG. 37A when beams or arms 600a are in the collapsed or contracted
configuration, and which are extended into the sheet configuration
when arms or beams are extended or fanned out, as illustrated (in
phantom) in FIG. 37B. This tissue ingrowth material 602 is anchored
between the beams or arms 600a and the internal abdominal body
structure when anchoring frame is anchored thereto, such as in a
manner described above with regard to FIGS. 35C-35H. Thus, needles
and sutures are driven through each of the arms or beams 600a in a
manner like that already described. Alternatively, the tissue
ingrowth material may be the tabs 150 and tissue ingrowth patches
152 extending from an expandable member 10em of a device 10 as
described above. In this alternative arrangement, expandable member
10em is inserted together with anchoring frame 600 and anchored
directly to the internal abdominal body structure by suturing
through the arms or beams 600a and the tabs 150/tissue ingrowth
pads 152 to fix them directly to the internal abdominal
structure.
[0257] In either case, beams or arms 600a are attached to ingrowth
material 602,150,152 such as by snaps 600s, or alternatively, by
sutures, or other mechanical fixation means. Any of these
connections may be supplemented using adhesives, or adhesives alone
may be used to establish the connections. Although not required, it
may be preferable to establish connections 600s on both sides of
needle openings 600n through which the needles 610n pass when
performing the anchoring steps. This is illustrated in the
longitudinal sectional views of a portion of an arm or beam 600a
and ingrowth sheet 602,150,152 in FIGS. 37C and 37D, where FIG. 37C
shows needle 610n in a retracted configuration, and FIG. 37D shows
needle 610n protruding through arm or beam 600a and ingrowth sheet
602,150,152. Anchoring frame 600 may also include a central tube or
lumen 600c (FIG. 37B) that slides over guidewire 502 to guide
delivery of the assembly into the abdominal cavity and along the
structure to which frame 600 is to be anchored. Alternatively,
instead of a guidewire 502, a scope may be used such that the scope
provides visualization and also provides the guiding utility while
positioning the frame 600. Scope may also provide a semi-rigid
guiding member for the delivery. Alternative to tube 635, tool 630
may be provided with a channel 650 sufficiently wide to receive the
arms or beams 600a in the collapsed configuration. Upon pushing or
otherwise sliding frame 600 out of channel 650, arms or beams 600a
expand as already described. Expansion of arms or beams 600a may be
limited by travel limits of the pivot joints 633, or may be limited
when ingrowth material sheet 602,150,152 is fully extended, thereby
ensuring that the ingrowth material sheet is maintained under
tension to ensure it stays fully spread open.
[0258] FIGS. 38A-38B illustrate mating engagement members 600e, 10e
that can be provided as part of any of the frames 600 described
herein and any of the expandable members 10em described herein,
respectively, as well as any of the frames and expandable members
described in application Ser. No. (Ser. No. not yet assigned,
Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2). Further alternatively, and of
the frames 600 and expandable members 10em may be provided with any
of the interengaging arrangements described in application Ser. No.
(Serial No. not yet assigned, Attorney'Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2),
e.g. see FIGS. 13A, 13D, 14A-14C, 15A-15C and 19A-19B and the
descriptions thereof. Engagement member 600e in FIG. 38A provides
for multiple track tracking of expandable member 10em. Engagement
member 600e includes a pair of rails 618 on opposite sides of a
channel 608 within a rail 618, each of which extend substantially
over the length of frame 600 (or a beam or arm 600a thereof). FIG.
38B shows engaging member 10e fixed to expandable member 10em where
the engaging member 10e includes a pair of channels 608 on
opposites sides of a rail 618 that extends from a channel 608,
wherein these features are configured to mated with the rails 618
and channel 608 of engagement member 600e to be slidably received
therein (or thereover, respectively) to interengage the expandable
member 10em with the anchoring frame 600. Rail 610 of engagement
member 10e includes a central lumen therethrough, so that it can be
passed over guidewire 502 to guide engagement member 10e into
alignment with engagement member 600e to slidingly engage the
components together.
[0259] Engagement member 10e can be provided with locks 620 that
automatically lock engagement member 10e to engagement member 600e
thereby securing expandable member 10em in a rotationally and
translationally stable position relative to frame 600. In the
example shown, locks 620 are spring loaded and are substantially
flush with the channel 608 at distal ends thereof, but have
proximal ends that angle into the channel 608. The proximal ends
are depressed to be substantially flush with the channel 608
surface as engagement member 10e, and particularly channel 608 is
being slid over central rail 618 of engagement member 600e, as the
proximal ends of the locks 620 are pressed against the rail 618
surface. As the component become fully engaged, they are stopped in
the direction of relatively sliding to achieve this engagement by
stops provided on engagement member 600e. Engagement member is
locked and thereby prevented from sliding in the opposite direction
when the proximal ends of locks 620 expand into mating recesses
620r formed in rail 618. The arrangement of locks 620 and recesses
620r can be reversed between the components 10e and 600e, as would
be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the mechanical
arts. FIG. 38C illustrates expandable member 10em in a compacted,
low profile configuration for insertion into the abdominal cavity
of a patient 1, with the central lumen of rail 618 having been
threaded over guidewire 502 for sliding delivery and guidance of
the device into the abdominal cavity. However, this is just a
mock-up, as guidewire 502 is not shown installed into the abdominal
cavity, and that would be performed prior to threading device 10em
onto the guidewire 502. Alternatively, anchoring frame 600 may
having buoyancy features integrated therein, which can be desirable
to reduce the incision size made in the patient for insertion of
the anchoring frame 600 as well as device 10, since this can reduce
the overall volume of the implant 10 by moving some of the volume
(e.g., the volume taken up by a buoyancy member 10bm) to the
anchoring frame 600. Further alternatively, a smaller buoyancy
member 10bm can be included in device 10, with a buoyancy member
provided in or on anchoring frame 600 to provide combined buoyancy
effects.
[0260] FIGS. 39A-39C illustrate another embodiment of mating
engagement members 600e, 10e that can be provided as part of any of
the frames 600 described herein and any of the expandable members
10em described herein, respectively, as well as any of the frames
and expandable members described in application Ser. No. (Ser. No.
not yet assigned, Attorney's Docket No. EXPL-001CIP2). In this
arrangement, position adjusting features are provided so that the
user/surgeon can select amount a range of locations for positioning
expandable member 10em relative to anchoring frame 600. In FIG.
39A, the engagement member 10e comprises a spine or rail 618 that
is received in a groove or channel 608 in anchoring member 600.
However, these components could be reversed, with anchoring frame
600 having a spine or rail 618 over which a channel or groove,
provided in expandable member 10em, can be passed.
[0261] An adjustable locking mechanism 20 in this embodiment
includes detents 622 that are configured and dimensioned to be
received in locking holes or openings 624. When detents 622 are
positioned through a pair of openings 624, this prevents further
relative sliding between rail 618 and channel 608. An actuator 626
may be provided on either the anchoring frame 600/channel 608,
whichever includes the engagement member having the detents 622 to,
in a first position, temporarily lock the detents in a retracted
configuration so that they cannot release and extend through
openings 624, and, when slid to a second position, release the
detents, which are biased, such as by spring-loading for example,
so that they deploy to pass into a pair of openings 624 that they
are aligned with. If the openings 624 are not aligned with the
detents, the expandable member 10em can be slid in one direction or
the other, relative to anchoring frame 600 to engage the next
adjacent pair of openings 624.
[0262] Alternatively, openings 624 may be beveled or tapered to
that if detents 624 are only partially inserted into openings 624,
as illustrated in FIG. 39C, Then rail can still be slid relative to
channel 608, as detents ride in and out of the shallow, beveled
portions of openings 624 as rail 618 is slid, since the detents 622
are prevented from passing deeper into holes 24 as long as
guidewire or rod 501 is positioned through a lumen 623 provided
through rail 618. Once the surgeon/user has positioned expandable
member 10em is a desired location relative to the anchoring frame,
as selected from a multiplicity of possible axial locations along
the frame, made possible by the pairs of openings extending
longitudinally over rail 618, guidewire or rod 502 is removed from
its location with rail 618, allowing detents 622 to slide into
locking positions through openings 624. In this arrangement,
detents can be unlocked again by reinserting guidewire or rod 502
which pushes the detents back out to the configuration shown in
FIG. 39C, allowing expandable member to be repositioned along the
length of the engagement mechanism.
[0263] FIGS. 40A-40H illustrate various embodiments of buoyancy
members 10bm that also function as anchoring frames 600. The
embodiment of FIG. 40A includes a tubular foam member 10bmt which
may be formed from silicone foam, or some other polymeric foam, for
example. Mesh ribbons 170, which may be in the form of looped
ribbons or single lengths of ribbons, may be tied around the
tubular member 10bmt, or suture thereto, or both, or fixed using
alternative mechanical fixation structures and/or adhesive. Ribbons
(e.g., polypropylene or other polymer) 170 can be pulled through
openings extending from the abdominal cavity of the patient, out
through the skin of the patient, to draw buoyancy member/anchoring
frame 10bm,600 against the internal surface of the abdominal wall,
and ribbons can be anchored externally of the abdominal wall 127 in
any of the manners already discussed previously above. An
expandable member 10em of a device can then be passed over tube
10bmt and anchored thereto, wherein the buoyancy tube 10bmt
performs the functions of a buoyancy member discussed above, as
well as the functions of an anchoring frame 600 discussed above.
Alternatively, expandable member may be anchored to tubular
buoyancy member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 using a docking tether, as
described in more detail below.
[0264] FIG. 40B illustrates an embodiment of buoyancy
member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 provided with a contact surface 604
having tissue ingrowth-enhancing material 616 provided thereon for
enhancing/encouraging tissue ingrowth therein from the internal
structure of the abdominal cavity to which contact surface 604 is
anchored to (e.g., internal surface of abdominal wall 127). FIG.
40C shows an end view of the buoyancy member/anchoring frame
10bm,600 of FIG. 40B. FIG. 40D illustrates ribbon loops 170
attached to tubular member 10bmt and extending through backing
surface 604 and tissue ingrowth-enhancing material 616 in position
to be pulled out of the patient to draw buoyancy member/anchoring
frame 10bm,600 up against an internal body structure to be anchored
there.
[0265] FIG. 40E is an illustration of a patient showing one example
of where ribbons 170 can be pulled through the skin 125 of the
patient to draw the buoyancy member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 up
against the inner surface of the abdominal wall. The X's indicate
locations where punctures can be made and a hooked tool or graspers
can be inserted therethrough to retrieve ribbons 170 to pull them
out of the patient 1, draw the buoyancy member/anchoring frame
10bm,600 up against the inner surface of the abdominal wall, and
lock ribbons 170 down against an external surface of the abdominal
wall/fascia. It is noted that optionally, at least one of the
ribbons can be drawn though an intercostal space, as shown in FIG.
40E.
[0266] FIGS. 40F-40G illustrate features for anchoring the
expandable member 10em to the buoyancy member/anchoring frame
10bm,600 according to one method embodiment. In this embodiment,
buoyancy tube 10bmt is provided with an annular opening
therethrough. After anchoring the buoyancy member/anchoring frame
10bm,600 to an internal abdominal structure, such as the abdominal
wall, in a manner as described above, a guidewire 502 or snare
catheter 502 can be inserted through the lumen of tube 10bmt as
shown in FIG. 40F. The expandable member 10em of device 10 can be
provided with a docking tether 59d, such as a braided mesh polymer
tether, woven polymer tether or ribbon, for example. Docking tether
59d can be fixed to a superior portion of expandable member 10em
and has a free opposite end having a docking connector 59c. An
inferior portion of expandable member 10em is provided with a
mating connector 59m that is mateable with docking connector 59c to
form a locked connection. In the example shown, docking connector
59c comprises a male luer connector and mating connector 59m
comprises a female luer connector. However, these could be
reversed. Further alternatively, other types of mating,
mechanically connectable members could be substituted.
[0267] After placing expandable member 10em into the abdominal
cavity (in a non-expanded configuration), guidewire 502 or snare
catheter 502s is used to capture the free, proximal end of docking
tether 59d. The captured free end is then into the distal end
opening of tubular member 10bmt, through the annular space in tube
10bmt and out of the proximal opening. Connector 59c is then
connected to mating connector 59m, thereby locking the free end of
docking tether 59d to expandable member 10em and anchoring
expandable member 10em to buoyancy member/anchoring frame 10bm,600
as illustrated in FIG. 40H.
[0268] On advantage of using a dual-function buoyancy
member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 is that it is a low profile system,
since the buoyancy member 10bm and expandable member 10em do not
require simultaneous insertion into the abdominal cavity. Further,
a dual-function buoyancy member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 is very
lightweight and therefore may reduce potential complications during
the tissue ingrowth period required for tissue for tissue from the
anchored-to structure to grow into the anchoring frame. This can be
particularly advantageous in situations where buoyancy
member/anchoring frame 10bm,600 is anchored by itself and allowed a
tissue ingrowth period before fixing an expandable member thereto,
or in situations where the expandable member 10em is initially
fixed to buoyancy member/anchoring frame 10bm,600, but is not
inflated or only partially inflated with liquid during the tissue
ingrowth period.
[0269] FIG. 41 shows examples of implant markers and sensors that
may be included on device 10. Any combination of implant markers
and sensors shown, including a single marker or sensor, up to and
including all markers and sensors shown, may be included on any of
the devices described herein, in the locations shown (or
corresponding locations for different embodiments of devices 10).
Additionally, these features are not limited to the locations
shown, but can be included at other locations, such as, but not
limited to: anywhere along one or more conduits 12, attachment
tab(s) 150, positioning loop(s) 170, any locations on anchoring
frame 600 or corresponding components thereof, etc.
[0270] Markers 420 may be provided at various locations on device
10 that are trans-abdominally detectable, for example, using
fluoroscopy (radiopaque markers), ultrasound (ultrasonically
detectable markers), three-dimensional navigation (magnetic or RF
sensors) for indirect visualization/tracking of device 10 during
the implantation procedure, as well as after device 10 has been
implanted and the procedure has been completed. These markers can
be present on the surface of device 10 or may be embedded beneath
one or more layers of material, or molded within a layer, for
example. Additionally, or alternatively, visual indicators 422,
such as text, arrows or other graphical markings or visually
detectable indicators can be provided for direct viewing by
laparoscopy, for example. Indicators 422 may also be provided with
contrasting colors to make them easier to locate relative to the
portion of device 10 that they are located on.
[0271] The material(s) making up all or a portion of device 10 may
be doped with radiopaque material to facilitate identification
thereof by indirect viewing such as fluoroscopy or other X-ray.
Markers 420 and/or indicators 422 may also be used to assess
function. For example, the markers 420 identified by "S" and "I" in
FIG. 41 may be viewed and a distance therebetween measured to
assess the amount of expansion/filling of expandable member 10em
that has occurred. Markers 420 can additionally or alternatively be
used as sensors to provide feedback to measure relative position of
device 10, pressure within expandable member 10em, motility of
device 10, volume occupied by device 10 or expandable member 10em,
etc. Markers 420 may be detectable trans-abdominally using known
sensing modalities such as magnetic, RF, X-ray, ultrasound or
auditory signals. Markers 420 may also be configured to
emit/transmit RF, ultrasound or auditory signals, for example.
Thus, marker(s) 420 and/or indicator(s) 422 can be used to give the
surgeon or other person feedback during, as well as after
completion of the implantation procedure, as to location of device
10 and/or functionality thereof.
[0272] As one example of use of markers 420 for three-dimensional
navigation of the delivery and placement of device 10 during an
implantation procedure, a pre-existing "map" of the internal
structures of a patient 1 may be provided in the way of a CT scan,
for example, so that a surgeon can study this map prior to the
procedure and identify the bony structures around the abdominal
cavity, to be used as landmarks during the procedure to help in
navigating/directing device 10 and associated tools to one or more
desired target locations in the surgical site. Although soft
tissues will be mobile, the surgeon can identify target locations
relative to the bony landmarks.
[0273] At the beginning of the procedure, typically, prior to
making an incision, the actual bony structures of the patient 1 (as
visualized under fluoroscopy, for example, or palpation to identify
pre-determined registration points) are registered to match the
locations of the same structures on the pre-existing map, which can
be displayed on a monitor, for example. During the procedure, the
markers 420, whether detected by fluoroscopy, magnetic detection,
RF detection, ultrasound detection, etc. are displayed on the
monitor overlaid on the pre-existing map to which the bony
structures of the patient 1 have been registered. Accordingly, the
surgeon/user can view in real time, a three dimensional image of
the location of markers 420 relative to the landmark bony
structures, to guide the surgeon/user to deliver device 10 along a
desired pathway and place and implant device 10 in the desired
target location.
[0274] Not only can device 10 be navigated in this manner, but any
other instruments or devices inserted into the patient 1 during the
procedure, can also be navigated in similar fashion. For example,
insertion and placement of guidewire 502, prior to insertion of
device, can be guided and navigated by provided a distal tip or
distal end portion of guidewire with a sensor 420. Other tools and
devices can be navigated similarly.
[0275] Sensors 420 may be passive and/or active. For example,
sensors 420 can simply be magnets or radiopaque markings, which are
passive sensors that are detected by instrumentation outside of the
body of the patient. Alternatively, sensors 420 may be active, such
as sensors that transmit RF signals, or other electrical signals,
for example. Further alternatively, sensors 420 may have both
passive and active functions. A sensor may be "pinged" by
instrumentation outside of the patient's body and reflected waves
returned from the sensor being pinged can be triangulated by
feedback from external sensors to determine the location of sensor
420. Sensor 420 may include an antenna and processor that can
instruct it to emit a signal when a particular instruction has been
received by the antenna. Any of the sensing and/or navigation
methods described above can optionally also reference the stomach
120, such as by fluoroscopy or X-ray when radiopaque contrast fluid
is inputted into the stomach.
[0276] One or more sensors 420 may also be used for the performance
of one or more procedural steps robotically. As one non-limiting
example of this, FIG. 42 illustrates a procedural step for
anchoring frame 600 to an internal surface of abdominal wall 127
using ribbons 170. A robotic arm 700 having a controllable module
702 that is controllable to move a working tool 704 (in this case,
a hooked needle) in three dimensions is provided over that patient
1. Module 702 is first moved in two dimensions parallel to the skin
of the patient (i.e., in the dimensions of the arrows shown and the
dimension into and out of the page) to align sensor 706 with a
sensor 420 on anchoring frame 600 that is aligned with one of the
ribbons 170. Once this alignment has been confirmed, tool 704 is
then robotically driven into the patient 1 to pierce the skin 125
and to a depth to engage loop 170 with the hooked portion of the
needle 704. Tool 704 is then retracted back out of the patient to
pull a portion of the ribbon 170 out of the skin 125. Tensioning of
the ribbon 170 and anchoring it to an external surface of the
abdominal wall/fascia 127 can optionally also be performed
robotically. It is noted that this is only an example of a robotic
procedural step that can be performed, as virtually any and all
procedural steps described herein can be performed robotically,
using the sensing and control techniques described herein.
[0277] FIG. 43 illustrates a handheld device 720 configured to
communicate with one or more sensors 420 located internally of the
patient, such as on device 10 (and/or anchoring frame 600, conduit
12, etc.) Handheld device may be powered by a power cord 722 that
plugs into an electrical outlet, or may be battery powered, and
thus more portable. Device 720 may be operated by a treating
physician, or by the patient himself, for example. In the example
shown, device 10 includes two expandable members 10em.sub.1 and
10em.sub.2, each provided with a pressure sensor 420 configured to
receive a wirelessly transmitted signal from handheld device 720,
and, in response thereto, transmit a wireless signal (e.g., RF
signal or the like) to handheld device to indicate the current
pressure reading. Other sensing capabilities that may be provided
include, but are not limited to: sensing of stomach motility via
electrical signals or motion sensors or stretch detectors; pressure
sensing; temperature sensing; oxygenation sensing; sensing of
grehlin or other hunger or satiety markers. Upon reading the
signals from sensors 420, device 720 displays the sensed pressures
on display 724, for example. These readings can provide useful
information to the patient 1 and/or physician as to whether an
expandable member(s) has sufficient pressure or is over or under
inflated, for example and thus whether a pressure adjustment needs
to be made. Additionally, these readings can identify a leak in the
device and alert the user thereto, without the need for initial
checking by X-ray or more invasive means. Device 720 may also be
connectable to the Internet, for example, by wireless
communication, and may be programmed to email a physician when used
by the patient 1 and when one or more readings is not within
expected ranges, thereby alerting the physician that the patient
needs to be seen in the physician's office to correct a problem
with the device 10.
[0278] FIG. 44 illustrates an example where a surface of expandable
member 10em is provided with sensors 420 comprising electrodes that
can be used to deliver pacing signals to the stomach from a
subcutaneously placed pacer/stimulator 428 that communicates via
wires 429 or wirelessly with electrodes of sensors 422. Sensors 422
may also function as pressure sensors and send signals
representative of pressure readings to pacer/stimulator 428.
Accordingly, when signals are received that correspond to pressures
greater than a predetermined pressure level (e.g., indicative of
food having been inputted to the stomach 120) this can initiate a
pacing program in the pacer/stimulator to send coordinated
stimulation signals to the electrodes 420 to increase or decrease
motility caused by contraction of stomach muscles resulting from
the pacing signals applied by the electrodes 420.
[0279] FIG. 45 illustrates another embodiment of device 10 in which
wiring 429 extends through conduit 12 to be connected to
pacer/stimulator 428. In this case, pacer/stimulator 428 may be
incorporated into access member 80 or subcutaneously implanted
adjacent access member 80, for example. Although device 10 is shown
to include two expandable members 10em.sub.1, 10em.sub.2, this
arrangement may be applied equally as well to devices having a
single expandable member 10em (with or without buoyancy member
10bm) or more than two expandable members. Further alternatively,
sensors 420 in either FIG. 44 or FIG. 45 may not provide pressure
sensing feedback, but may be only electrodes for applying the
pacing signals. In such case, pacer/stimulator 428 may be
controlled manually by the user or physician, either wirelessly, or
by plugging a controller into a socket provided in access member
80, or on the skin 125 of the patient, for example, to apply pacing
signals to the electrodes 420.
[0280] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation,
material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to
the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such
modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *