Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for treating wounds in patients who lack the innate ability to regulate glucose (e.g., diabetic patients). In one aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning an internal bypass device within the duodenum to inhibit contact between chyme passing therethrough and an internal wall of the duodenum and maintaining the internal bypass device within the duodenum for a sufficient period of time to decrease insulin resistance and reduce a blood glucose level in the patient. The internal bypass device increases peripheral blood flow and elevates an immune system response to accelerate healing of the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a device comprises a hollow sleeve sized and shaped for positioning within a duodenum of the patient, an anchor coupled to the proximal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit distal migration of the sleeve and a plurality of elastomeric objects coupled to the distal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit proximal migration of the sleeve through a pylorus of the patient. The bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.