Gastric bypass band and surgical method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nano-enhanced device for substance transfer between the device and a tissue. The device comprises a substrate with substantially aligned carbon nanotubes anchored within the substrate, and with at least one end of the carbon nanotubes protruding from the substrate. The protruding nanotube ends may be coated with a drug for delivery of the drug into body tissue. The present invention may be incorporated into an angioplasty catheter balloon or into a patch that is worn on the skin. The carbon nanotubes can be grouped in clusters to effectively form nano-needles which can transfer fluid to or from the subdermal tissue. The nano-needles can be used in conjunction with a sensor to ascertain body fluid information such as pH, glucose level, etc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical band device that is laparoscopically implantable within a patient's body, comprising:
 a flexible expansion-resistant section having first and second ends; and   a lockable latch having a longitudinal curvature and first and second latch parts coupled to the first and second ends of the expansion-resistant section; wherein the expansion-resistant section having a longitudinally extending configuration along its length when the first and second latch parts are unlocked and the surgical band device is fed laparoscopically through tissue within the patient's body and a radial shape configuration along its length when the first and second latch parts are locked and the surgical band device is positioned around tissue within the patient's body.   
     
     
         2 . The band device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first latch part of the lockable latch including one or more prong bodies and one or more catches extending from the one or more prong bodies, said catches engaging in a lockable one-way engagement with through openings of in the body of the second latch part when said first and second latch parts are fully engaged. 
     
     
         3 . The band device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second latch parts of said lockable latch are engaged by a male-female type engagement. 
     
     
         4 . The band device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second latch part of the lockable latch including an exterior body having an interior lumen, said exterior body having one or more through-openings communicating with said lumen, said lumen including a front opening. 
     
     
         5 . The band device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion-resistant section comprises a length of silicone having a monofilament core. 
     
     
         6 . The band device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the monofilament core is a polypropylene suture. 
     
     
         7 . The band device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the device is radiopaque. 
     
     
         8 . The band device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the latch locks in a one-way engagement.