Gastric Filler Devices for Obesity Therapy

Abstract

An obesity treatment device comprises a filament filler material movable between a substantially straight insertion/removal configuration and an operative configuration in which the filament extends along a predetermined curve to occupy a selected volume within the stomach and a retrieval device connected to a proximal end of the filler material facilitating grasping and withdrawal of the filler material. A method of treating obesity, comprises inserting to a desired position within the GI tract a filament filler in a substantially straight configuration and moving the filler into an operative configuration in which the filler curves along a predetermined path to define a desired volume in combination with, after a predetermined treatment period has elapsed, collapsing the filler into the substantially straight configuration for trans-oral removal.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for treating obesity, comprising:
 inserting a containment device to a desired position within a gastrointestinal tract;   inserting a shape memory element into the containment device, the shape memory element moving from a low-profile insertion/removal configuration to an operative configuration in which the shape memory element deforms to a memorized shape to expand the retaining device to a desired volume.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the shape memory element is a wire biased toward the insertion/removal configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the memorized shape is a coil. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein, in the low-profile insertion configuration, the shape memory element is substantially straight. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the containment device is inserted into a stomach. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising removing the shape memory element by grasping a filler removal element coupled to at an end thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the containment device collapses upon withdrawal of the shape memory therefrom. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising removing the collapsed containment device by grasping a containment device removal element at an end thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape memory element is coupled to the retaining device so that the shape memory element and the retaining device are removed in a single step. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein one of the shape memory element and the containment device is formed of a material configured to dissolve. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein one of the shape memory element and the retaining device is configured to dissolve via application of a solvent, a dissolving solution, heat and exposure to stomach fluids for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the containment device includes a failure zone configured to fail when a proximal force is exerted thereon. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising inserting a catheter trans-orally into the gastrointestinal tract so that one of the shape memory element and the retaining device are passed therethrough to the desired position.