Gastrointestinal Device

Abstract

A gastrointestinal device and method for inserting the device are disclosed. The device may include a stent including a plurality of strands. The stent may move between an insertion configuration, wherein the plurality of strands are substantially parallel, and a deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of strands form a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter. The first and second diameters may be larger than a diameter of the pyloric sphincter. The device may include a connector assembly including proximal and distal connectors attached to the strands. A cable including an engagement portion may be configured to releasably couple to the distal connector and to cause the strands to move from the insertion configuration to the deployed configuration when the engagement portion is coupled to the distal connector and force is applied to the cable in a direction toward the proximal connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gastrointestinal device for reducing flow through a pyloric sphincter of a patient, comprising:
 a stent including a plurality of strands, the plurality of strands forming first and seconds ends and configured to move between an insertion configuration, wherein the plurality of strands are substantially parallel, and a deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of strands form a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter, the first and second diameters being larger than a diameter of the pyloric sphincter;   a connector assembly including a proximal connector and a distal connector, the plurality of strands being attached at the first end to the proximal connector and at the second end to the distal connector;   a cable including an engagement portion configured to releasably couple to the distal connector, the cable configured to cause the plurality of strands to move from the insertion configuration to the deployed configuration when the engagement portion is coupled to the distal connector and a force is applied to the cable in a direction toward the proximal connector.