Abstract: A port, which may be used with a gastric banding assembly, having a septum therein that is subjected to multi-directional compression forces to aid in sealing imperfections caused by multiple needle sticks. Multi-directional compression forces, including axial compression and radial compression, may be created by providing a tapered septum. Such multi-directional compression forces may also be created by providing a tapered lead-in for inserting a septum into a port body.

Abstract: A rotational locking mechanism for securing a catheter to a surgical implant is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a deflectable extension extending from the surgical implant about the catheter attached to the surgical implant. The shape of the deflectable extension defines a slot therein. A connector having at least one tab extending therefrom is placed about the catheter at the point of attachment to the surgical implant. Rotation of the tubular connector brings at least one tab of the connector into contact with the slot in the deflectable extension and deflects and releases at least a portion of the slot as the connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within the slot. The rotation motion secures the catheter to the surgical implant, and produces a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the tubular connector.

Abstract: Various devices for reducing the size of a passageway, such as, in an exemplary embodiment, a gastrointestinal passageway are provided. The device generally includes a cylindrical member, serving as a restriction element, having proximal and distal ends, at least one of which can be adapted to couple to a wall of the gastrointestinal passageway such that the size of the passageway decreases. In use, the restriction element is selectively configurable in a first, inactivated position and a second, activated position, such that a diameter of the restriction element is larger in the activated position than in the inactivated position, and the size of the passageway can be controlled. A method of suppressing appetite using such a device is also provided.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: A surgically implantable fluid adjustable device, such as an adjustable gastric band, having an elongated substantially flexible inflatable portion, and an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion attached to the inflatable portion. The device further includes a member for changing the shape of the device from a straight configuration to a curved configuration after being implanted within a body.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An implantable adjustable sphincter system is comprised of a band configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, a manual pump, a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the band and the manual pump. The valve assembly is comprised of a first configuration and a second configuration, and is operable to be manually switched between configurations. The first configuration only permits fluid to flow from the band toward the reservoir. The second configuration only permits fluid to flow from the reservoir toward the band. The manual pump is in fluid communication with the valve assembly and the reservoir, and is manually operable to transfer fluid between the reservoir and the band when the valve assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided A method for implanting surgical device. The method involves providing a surgical device comprising an elongated flexible inflatable portion, an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and an inflatable portion. The band portion is attached to the inflatable portion along an inner face thereof. The band portion has a concave cross section when taken perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The method involves deforming the band, so that it has a substantially flat cross section when taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, by encircling the band around body tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an implantable surgical device having a deployed shape and an undeployed shape. The device includes an elongated flexible inflatable balloon portion and an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion. The band portion has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The band portion is attached to the balloon portion along an inner face thereof. When the device is in its undeployed shape at least a portion of the band portion has a concave cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical tool for safely introducing a gastric band into a patient's abdomen is provided. The instrument includes an inner rod slidably and coaxially disposed within a support tube. The inner rod includes a gastric band releasably secured thereon. Distal movement of the inner rod into the support tube exposes said gastric band.

Abstract: A stoma-adjustable gastric band having a plurality of chambers within a balloon portion is described. Each chamber is supplied fluid via a corresponding inlet in a fluid supply tube. The balloon and fluid supply tube are each attached to a tension carrying belt. Alternatively, the gastric band may have a plurality of balloons attached to the tension carrying belt where each balloon is supplied fluid via a corresponding inlet in a fluid supply tube.

Abstract: An implantable band for placement around an anatomical passageway, such as the stomach or other lumen, has a strap made of material having at least one first material property, and has an attachment mechanism having material which has at least one second material property which is different from the first material property. The attachment mechanism may include plastically or elastically deformable material.