Abstract: A gastric band for placement around the stomach is described which is useful for the treatment and control of morbid obesity. The gastric band has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has an inflatable member disposed thereon which substantially completely covers the inner surface of the band. A remote fill port is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable member. The gastric band is invasively placed in an encircling position around the stomach by the facile closure of a single fastening means. After the band is fastened around the stomach, a fluid is injected into the inflatable member thereby constricting the stoma of the stomach. Preferably, measuring means situated within the stomach provides a measure of the stoma opening. The inflatable member is adjusted so that the stoma opening is at the desired diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-surgical direct intubation of the duodenum or small bowel. The apparatus consists of an introducer tube comprising a double-lumen tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. One of the lumens is dimensioned to permit the passage of a duodenal catheter therethrough. The other lumen is in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable, anatomically-conforming balloon affixed asymmetrically near the distal end of the introducer tube. The anatomically-conforming balloon is stomach shaped when inflated. The introducer tube is advanced through the esophagus until the balloon is within the confines of the stomach. The introducer tube is then rotated so that the balloon is oriented toward (inflates toward) the greater curvature of the stomach. As the balloon is inflated, it expands into and conforms with the interior shape of the stomach.

Abstract: A gastric band adapted for laparoscopic placement around the stomach and a method for deploying the band is described. The band is useful for creating a small pouch with a reinforced stoma in the stomach for the treatment of obesity. A first cannula is introduced into the abdominal cavity. Following gas insufflation, a camera for observing the placement of the band is introduced into the abdominal cavity by means of the first cannula. Two additional second and third cannulas are placed within the abdomen. The gastric band, which has a head end, a tail end and a body portion therebetween, is introduced into the abdomen by means of the second cannula. As the band emerges from the second cannula, an endoscopically-guided snare passed through the third cannula grasps one end of the band and pulls it into an encircling position around the stomach. The tail end of the band is adjustably attached to the head end to form a loop around the stomach. The band is tightened until the stoma has the desired size.

Abstract: A device facilitating remote removal of an article implanted beneath the skin. In one embodiment, the implantable article comprises a band which is operatively placed to encircle an organ such as the stomach. Once in position, the band is tightened and held securely with sutures thereby preventing the stomach-encircling band from opening. If, following implantation, it becomes necessary or desirable to remove the band, a remotely actuated releasing wire, the end of which wire is implanted at an accessible site beneath the subcutaneous tissue permits the removal of the band without major surgery. In one embodiment, the sutures securing the band in an encircling position are conveniently removed by means of a wire within the band which wire, when retracted by remote activation, releases the retaining sutures and frees the band for removal. Actual removal of the released band is accomplished by pulling the band out of the abdomen and through the superficial incision by means of the wire.