Endoscope & tools for applying sealants and adhesives and intestinal lining for reducing food absorption

Abstract

A first part of the inventive instrument comprises an insertion and removal device in the form of an endoscope which may be inserted through the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach into the small intestine. The inside lumen of the endoscope contains two extendable tools. One extendable tool has a balloon on its end, which may be inflated and deflated. The other extendable tool contains optical fibers for photopolymerizing adhesives and sealants. The second part of the inventive instrument comprises a tubular lining for implantation in and lining of the small intestine, to prevent food from being absorbed into the villi. The lining is anchored in position by means of medical-grade adhesives that are contained on or applied to a mesh sleeve on one end of the lining. The adhesive-coated sleeve is then expanded and glued to the intestine. In operation the lining expands outwardly as digesting food chemicals enter the lining. This allows the normal bodily peristalsis to squeeze the food chemicals through the lining. An alternate tool for an endoscope may be used to apply a coating of biodegradable sealant to the walls of the small intestine to restrict food absorption. Implanting the lining into the intestine or coating the intestine with sealant can be accomplished with no or minimal surgery.

24 . An instrument for use in applying a coating to an interior surface of an intestine for restricting food absorption, the instrument comprising: a flexible endoscope member having a proximal end, a distal end, wherein the distal end configured to be inserted into the intestine, and a lumen therethrough; a second elongate member to be inserted through the lumen of the flexible endoscopic member, wherein the second elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a passageway, and a plurality of flexible bands disposed at least on the distal portion, said flexible bands configured to expand outwardly to contact the interior surface of the intestine and radially expand the intestine when the distal portion of the second member is extended beyond the distal end of the first member; a coating delivery tool configured to be inserted into the passageway of the second member, said coating delivery tool having a proximal portion, a distal portion configured to extend beyond the distal portion of the flexible endoscopic member for applying a coating to the interior surface of the intestine, at least one internal passage, and an outer surface, wherein a coating is applied to the interior surface of the intestine. 
   
   
       25 . The instrument of  claim 24 , wherein a component of said coating is a biodegradable primer. 
   
   
       26 . The instrument of  claim 24 , wherein a component is a biodegradable adhesive or biodegradable sealant that is configured to be slowly disintegrated over time and eliminated by the body. 
   
   
       27 . The instrument of  claim 26 , wherein a component is a photopolymerizing biodegradable sealant or photopolymerizing biodegradable adhesive. 
   
   
       28 . The instrument of  claim 27 , wherein the coating delivery tool further comprises plurality of side openings on the outer surface wherein the plurality of side openings configured to receive optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers operate coupled to a laser, configured for curing the coating after the coating is applied to the interior surface of the intestine. 
   
   
       29 . The instrument of  claim 26 , wherein the coating delivery tool further comprises a heating coil, wherein the heating coil operates coupled to a heat source, configured for curing the coating after the coating is  applied to the interior surface of the intestine. 
   
   
       30 . The instrument of  claim 24 , wherein the second elongate member further comprises a non-stick coating that prevents adhesive and sealant bonding to the second member. 
   
   
       31 . The instrument of  claim 24 , wherein the flexible endoscope member further includes an ultrasound transducer, said the ultrasound transducer configured to aid a surgeon to accurately positionthe distal end of the endoscopic member inside the intestine. 
   
   
       32 . The instrument of  claim 24 , wherein the second elongate member further includes markings on the outer surface, said the markings configured to aid a surgeon in accurately positioning the distal end of the second member inside the intestine. 
   
   
       33 . A method for applying a coating to an interior surface of an intestine for partially restricting food absorption from the inside of the intestine to the body thereby treating obesity, the method comprising: inserting the distal end of the flexible endoscopic member into the intestine, inserting the second elongate member into the lumen of the flexible endoscopic member, extending the distal portion of the second elongate member beyond the distal end of the endoscopic member thereby expanding the distal portion of the second elongate member outwardly to contact the interior surface of the intestine and radially expand the intestine, inserting the coating delivery tool into the passageway of the second member and positioning the distal portion of the coating delivery tool proximate to the distal portion of the second member, applying the first component of an adhesive or sealant to the interior surface of the intestine, applying the second component of an adhesive or sealant to the interior surface of the intestine, and applying energy to cure the coating. 
   
   
       34 . A method of  claim 33 , wherein the first component is a biodegradable primer. 
   
   
       35 . A method of  claim 33  wherein the second component is a biodegradable adhesive or biodegradable sealant that is configured to be slowly disintegrated over time and eliminated by the body. 
   
   
       36 . A method of  claim 33 , wherein the energy being applied is heat. 
   
   
       37 . A method of  claim 33 , wherein the energy being applied is laser. 
   
   
       38 . A hydrogel lining for blocking the intestinal villi in order to restrict food absorption, whereby a person may consume whole food through the mouth, said whole food becoming partially digested in the stomach before coming into contact with said hydrogel lining, and means for controlling a transfer of food chemicals from said digesting food solids through the walls of said hydrogel lining to the alimentary canal by preventing or altering the transfer of said food chemicals between said hydrogel lining and the walls of the alimentary canal to be used to treat obesity. 
   
   
       39 . The hydrogel lining of  claim 38  wherein it is pressed into position by a balloon catheter at least one foot or longer in length.