Gastro-esophageal implants

Abstract

A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A gastro-esophageal implant comprising:
 a cylindrical component configured for attachment to a gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient, wherein a proximal end of the component includes a plurality of attachment points for anchoring the component to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region, the attachment points including holes; and   a sleeve attached to the component and extending distal to the component, the sleeve comprising a side wall that includes a plurality of openings to permit passage of a material therethrough, the plurality of openings being distal to the attachment points of the component;   wherein, upon implantation, the implant forms a conduit for directing food from an esophagus through the implant directly to an intestine of the patient.   
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of attachment elements, wherein the component is configured to be anchored to the tissue via the attachment elements passing through respective holes of the plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of attachment points includes at least four attachment points. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of attachment points are spaced evenly about the proximal end of the component. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein a proximal end of the sleeve is attached to the component only, such that, upon implantation, the proximal end of the sleeve is not attached to tissue of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the component and the sleeve are concentric. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of openings of the sleeve comprises at least a first opening and a second opening distal to the first opening. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 9 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged in a row and aligned in a proximal to distal direction. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein, upon implantation, a distal end of the sleeve is positioned proximate a pylorus of the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is semi-permeable. 
     
     
         14 . A gastro-esophageal implant comprising:
 a cylindrical component configured for attachment to a gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient, wherein a proximal end of the component includes a plurality of attachment points for anchoring the component to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region; and   a sleeve attached to the component and extending distal to the component, the sleeve comprising a side wall that includes a plurality of openings comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is distal to the attachment points of the component, and the second opening is distal to the first opening;   wherein, upon implantation, the implant forms a conduit for directing food from an esophagus through the implant directly to an intestine of the patient.   
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged in a row and aligned in a proximal to distal direction. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of attachment points includes holes spaced evenly about the proximal end of the component, the plurality of attachment points being configured to anchor the component to tissue proximate a Z-line of the gastro-esophageal junction region. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of attachment elements configured to anchor the component the tissue by passing through respective holes of the plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve comprises a polymer, the sleeve being sufficiently flexible to permit peristalsis of the intestine upon implantation. 
     
     
         19 . A method for positioning a gastro-esophageal implant in a patient, the method comprising:
 anchoring a cylindrical component of the implant to a gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient via a plurality of attachment points at a proximal end of the component, the plurality of attachment points including holes, wherein the component is attached to a sleeve extending distal to the component; and   positioning a distal portion of the sleeve proximate a pylorus of the patient, the sleeve comprising a side wall that includes a plurality of openings distal to the attachment points of the component, wherein the plurality of openings permit passage of a material therethrough;   wherein the implant forms a conduit for directing food from an esophagus through the implant directly to an intestine of the patient.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein anchoring the component to the gastro-esophageal junction region comprises passing a plurality of attachment elements through respective holes of the plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of openings of the sleeve comprises at least a first opening and a second opening distal to the first opening. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged in a row and aligned in a proximal to distal direction.