Obesity Systems Placed Between the Abdominal Wall and Stomach

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.

1 . A method of treating a patient, said method comprising 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. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the stomach of the patient into a spaced occupied by the device in the abdominal cavity; and compression of a portion of the stomach. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the device includes an expandable member, the expandable member is in a compressed configuration during said passing of the device, and the method further comprises expanding the expandable member in 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. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning comprises grasping at least one positioning tab mounted to said device, and performing at least one of pushing, pulling or twisting forces on the at least one positioning tab to position or orient the device.