Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and an anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and an anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a gastric balloon and an anchor coupled to the gastric balloon. The anchor includes a flexible tube, which, when in a relaxed position, is shaped so as to define a portion that prevents the anchor from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The anchor also includes one or more shape-controlling elements coupled to the portion and configured to control a shape of the portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and all anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the apparatus including a straightening rod (8), and a flexible tubular anchor (1) having a distal end (2) and an open proximal end (4), and sized to fit in the gastrointestinal tract. The anchor (1) comprises a material that has an elastic memory which biases the anchor (1) towards assuming a pre-selected bent configuration. The anchor (1) is shaped so as to define a central core (7) extending from the open proximal end (4) toward the distal end (2). The anchor (1) is configured to be straightened from the pre-selected bent configuration by insertion of the straightening rod (8) in the central core (7). The apparatus further includes a device (70) coupled to the anchor, selected from the list consisting of: a therapeutic device, and a transmitting device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a gastric balloon and an anchor coupled to the gastric balloon. The anchor includes a flexible tube, which, when in a relaxed position, is shaped so as to define a portion that prevents the anchor from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The anchor also includes one or more shape-controlling elements coupled to the portion and configured to control a shape of the portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intrabody balloon configured to be in a folded state during insertion into a subject's body, and to become inflated inside the subject's body. The apparatus also includes one or more bands disposed annularly around the balloon at respective longitudinal positions along the balloon. The bands are configured, while the balloon is in the folded state thereof, to secure the balloon in the folded state, and due to the balloon becoming inflated, to slide and become coupled to a portion of the apparatus. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in a stomach of a subject, including a gastric balloon and a hollow, flexible tube coupled at a distal end thereof to the gastric balloon. A proximal portion of the tube, when in a relaxed position, is shaped so as to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus also includes an inflation conduit disposed in part within the distal end of the tube, the inflation conduit exiting the tube at a site proximal to the gastric balloon. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the apparatus including a straightening rod (8), and a flexible tubular anchor (1) having a distal end (2) and an open proximal end (4), and sized to fit in the gastrointestinal tract. The anchor (1) comprises a material that has an elastic memory which biases the anchor (1) towards assuming a pre-selected bent configuration. The anchor (1) is shaped so as to define a central core (7) extending from the open proximal end (4) toward the distal end (2). The anchor (1) is configured to be straightened from the pre-selected bent configuration by insertion of the straightening rod (8) in the central core (7). The apparatus further includes a device (70) coupled to the anchor, selected from the list consisting of: a therapeutic device, and a transmitting device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and all anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.