Methods and instruments for treating obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

An intraluminar method of treating obesity of a patient, having a stomach with a food cavity, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of creating a pouch made of a stomach wall portion of the patient, closing the pouch by sutures, staples or a fixation device, and placing a volume filling device in the pouch before or after closing the pouch, and thus invaginating the volume filling device in the pouch such that an outer surface of the volume filling device rests against an outer surface of the stomach wall.

1 - 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . An intraluminar method of treating obesity of a patient having a stomach with a food cavity by implanting a volume filling device to reduce the size of the food cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
 introducing an instrument into the esophagus and into the stomach of the patient,   introducing the volume filling device into the stomach of the patient,   creating a hole through the stomach wall using the instrument,   bringing an expandable member of the instrument through the hole,   creating, using the expandable member, a pouch made of a stomach wall portion,   closing the pouch by sutures, staples, or a fixation device,   placing the volume filling device in the pouch before or after closing the pouch, and retracting the instrument with the expandable member through the hole, and thus, invaginating the volume filling device in the pouch of the stomach wall, such that an outer surface of the volume filling device rests against an outer surface of the stomach wall.   
     
     
         84 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the step of placing the volume filling device in the pouch comprises the steps of:
 providing an injection type syringe for injecting a fluid into the volume filling device comprising an implanted filling body; and   adjusting a volume of said implanted filling body, during or after the operation.   
     
     
         85 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the step of invaginating the volume filling device in the pouch comprises the steps of:
 inserting an inflatable volume filling device into the pouch in a deflated state, and   inflating the deflated volume filling device to an inflated state.   
     
     
         86 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the step of placing the volume filling device in the pouch comprises the steps of:
 injecting the volume filling device into the pouch as a fluid adapted to be transformed into solid state, and   curing the fluid adapted to be transformed into solid state.   
     
     
         87 . The method according to  claim 83 , further comprising forming the pouch so that the pouch is at least partly open and exhibits only one opening or two openings and extends non-circumferentially around the stomach. 
     
     
         88 . The method according to  claim 83 , further comprising the step of inflating the stomach with gas. 
     
     
         89 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the step of introducing the volume filling device into the stomach is performed by means of at least one of: the instrument or the instrument being integrated in a gastroscope. 
     
     
         90 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the step of invaginating comprises invaginating a plurality of volume filling devices. 
     
     
         91 . The method according to  claim 83 , wherein the volume filling device is inserted into the stomach as separate portions. 
     
     
         92 . The method according to  claim 83 , further comprising the step of connecting an inlet port of the volume filling device adapted to receive a fluid or gel to at least one of:
 a gastroscope,   the instrument, or   the instrument being integrated in a gastroscope.