Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material, suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal. end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A bariatric device 10 for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element 12, a pyloric element 26, and a connecting element 25 between the two other elements, wherein the connecting element 25 provides structure between the cardiac 12 and pyloric 26 elements, keeping them largely in place and at least intermittently touching and applying pressure to the stomach's cardiac, adjacent fundic and pyloric regions, respectively, which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. Alternatively, the cardiac 12 and pyloric 26 elements may be symmetrical, so that the device can orient itself either way in the stomach and still achieve the weight loss function. Alternatively, the cardiac 12 and/or pyloric 26 elements may have a restriction element to slow gastric filling or emptying, to produce a satiety signal.

Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A system includes a slit valve for use with an inflatable intragastric balloon having a flange surface with an opening therein. The slit valve has a valve body connected to the flange surface and a chamber formed in the valve body. The system also includes a filler tube, that is accepted into the chamber when it is inserted through the opening in the flange surface.

Abstract: A bariatric device for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element and a fixation element wherein the fixation element attaches the cardiac element to the upper stomach to allow the cardiac element to apply at least intermittent pressure to the upper stomach which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. The device may also contain an esophageal element which is connected to the cardiac element by a connecting element.

Abstract: A bariatric device for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element, a pyloric element, and a connecting element between the two other elements, wherein the connecting element provides structure between the cardiac and pyloric elements, keeping them largely in place and at least intermittently touching and applying pressure to the stomach's cardiac, adjacent fundic and pyloric regions, respectively, which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. In an alternative embodiment, the pyloric and connecting elements may be replaced with a positioning element, which keeps the cardiac element in its relative position by pushing against various structures in the stomach. In any of the embodiments, the bariatric device may be made from multiple sizes or adjustable, either manually, automatically or remotely, to optimally size and/or position the device to produce the desired satiety signals and weight loss.

Abstract: A bariatric device for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element, a pyloric element, and a connecting element between the two other elements, wherein the connecting element provides structure between the cardiac and pyloric elements, keeping them largely in place and at least intermittently touching and applying pressure to the stomach's cardiac, adjacent fundic and pyloric regions, respectively, which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon and method of adding and/or removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The intragastric balloon includes a shell, a grasping tab, and a self-sealing portion. A gastroscopic instrument which includes a grasping tool is inserted into the stomach of a patient and used to grasp the grasping tab located on the surface of the shell. Using the grasping tool, the intragastric balloon is securely fastened to the gastroscopic instrument. A filling instrument, such as a needle, is advanced through the self-sealing portion of the shell for the filling or deflating of the intragastric balloon. After inflation or deflation is complete, the filling instrument is then withdrawn from the balloon and the gastroscopic instrument withdrawn from the stomach.

Abstract: A hair styling device or curler used to shape hair by capturing a tress of hair inside a continuous channel of the curler created by a wrapping element spirally wrapped around a central core element. The continuous channel captures the hair so it is self-holding and does not require additional clips or fixation elements to hold the curler in place. The curler may contain two elements or one element. The curler may be wrapped in either direction to accommodate styling both sides of the head and may be modularly connected to another curler to customize the length of the curler. The curler may be heated by a variety of means or may be left at room temperature for air drying. The curler may contain a blow dryer element, sensors or other smart technology to start or stop any function of the styling system.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon system for facilitating weight loss in a human or animal patient generally includes a flexible shell suitable for placement in a digestive track of a patient and capable of being inflated with a fluid. The system further includes a valve mechanism coupled to the shell, an actuator for opening the valve mechanism to effect release of fluid from the shell, and a remote control device capable of sending a signal from outside the patient to the actuator in order to effectuate deflation of the shell in vivo and without surgical intervention.

Abstract: A slit valve 10 for use with an inflatable medical device having a flange surface 12 with an opening therein. The slit valve 10 has a valve body 14 connected to the flange surface 12 and a chamber formed in the valve body 14 for accepting an inflation tube 34 inserted through the opening in the flange surface 12. The slit valve 10 has a concave section at one or both ends, which are connected by a slit 24 formed in the valve body 14.

Abstract: A bariatric device 10 for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element 12, a pyloric element 26, and a connecting element 25 between the two other elements, wherein the connecting element 25 provides structure between the cardiac 12 and pyloric 26 elements, keeping them largely in place and at least intermittently touching and applying pressure to the stomach's cardiac, adjacent fundic and pyloric regions, respectively, which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. Alternatively, the cardiac 12 and pyloric 26 elements may be symmetrical, so that the device can orient itself either way in the stomach and still achieve the weight loss function. Alternatively, the cardiac 12 and/or pyloric 26 elements may have a restriction element to slow gastric filling or emptying, to produce a satiety signal.

Abstract: A bariatric device 10 for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a lower stomach element 26 which contacts the lower stomach at least intermittently to produce a satiety signal to the user, giving a feeling of fullness and reducing hunger. The lower stomach element 26 may be combined with a positional element 25 extending into the upper stomach to maintain the device's position for at least intermittent contact with the lower stomach. Alternatively, first and second elements 12, 13 may be symmetrically attached to the positioning element 25, so that the device can orient itself either way in the stomach. The lower stomach, first, or second elements 26, 12, 13 may have a restriction element to slow gastric filling or emptying, to produce a satiety signal. In any of the embodiments, the bariatric device may be adjustable, either manually, automatically or remotely, to optimally size and/or position the device.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object from a patient. The apparatus includes a deflation tube with a puncture member at one end of the tube for piercing a hole in the object wall. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism slidable within the deflation tube lumen. The retrieval mechanism includes an expansion element that is expandable when positioned within the object from a first configuration with a dimension less than that of the deflation tube lumen to a second or deployed configuration with a dimension that is greater than an outer dimension of the puncture member. The expansion element contacts an inner surface of the inflatable object as the deflation tube and retrieval mechanism are withdrawn from the body cavity. The expansion element may be a T-bar, a foldable anchor, an inflatable member, or another expandable form.

Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A system includes a slit valve for use with an inflatable intragastric balloon having a flange surface with an opening therein. The slit valve has a valve body connected to the flange surface and a chamber formed in the valve body. The system also includes a filler tube, that is accepted into the chamber when it is inserted through the opening in the flange surface.

Abstract: A bariatric device for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element, a pyloric element, and a connecting element between the two other elements, wherein the connecting element provides structure between the cardiac and pyloric elements, keeping them largely in place and at least intermittently touching and applying pressure to the stomach's cardiac, adjacent fundic and pyloric regions, respectively, which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. Alternatively, the cardiac and pyloric elements may be symmetrical, so that the device can orient itself either way in the stomach and still achieve the weight loss function.

Abstract: A releasably-securable gastric band having a tail end and a head end for receiving the tail end is disclosed. The gastric band also includes a releasable locking structure means that releasably secures the head and tail ends together. The tail end may include a tooth and the head end may include a notch for engaging the tooth. Upon insertion of the tail end into the head end, the tooth mates with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end. The releasably-securable gastric band includes a release tab. When force is applied to the release tab in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band, the tooth is disengaged from the notch to allow the gastric band to be released.