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 method for implanting surgical injection port. The injection port is of the type having a housing with a closed distal end, an open proximal end and a fluid reservoir therebetween. The housing further includes a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening, and at least one attachment mechanism mounted to the housing for initially attaching the port to tissue. The attachment mechanism is made from a bioabsorbable material. The method further includes the steps of making an incision in the skin of a patient to expose fascia, attaching the port to the fascia by deploying the attachment mechanism, closing the incision, and removing the attachment mechanism through bioapsorbtion.

Abstract: An implantable surgical injection port having an undeployed position, and a deployed position wherein it is attached to tissue. The port includes a housing having a closed distal end, a open proximal end and a fluid reservoir therebetween. The port further includes a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening. The port even further includes at least one attachment mechanism mounted to the housing for initially attaching the port to tissue wherein the attachment mechanism is made from a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: A surgically implantable fluid adjustable device having an elongated flexible inflatable portion which is substantially evacuated of fluids. The device also has an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion attached to the inflatable portion. The device further includes a catheter tube in fluid communication with the inflatable portion, the catheter tube having a distal end attached to the inflatable portion and an open proximal end extending therefrom. The device even further includes a removable plug inserted into the open proximal end of the catheter tube such that it substantially prevents introduction of air through the proximal end.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgically implantable fluid adjustable device. The device has an elongated substantially air impermeable flexible inflatable portion, an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion attached to the inflatable portion, and a catheter tube in fluid communication with the inflatable portion. The catheter tube has a distal end attached to the inflatable portion and an open proximal end extending therefrom. The method involves substantially evacuating the inflatable portion of fluids, and inserting a removable plug into the open proximal end of the catheter tube such that it substantially prevents introduction of air through the proximal end.

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 method for implanting an injection port within a patient. The method involves providing a port having a housing with a closed distal end, a open proximal end, a fluid reservoir therebetween, a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening, and at least one attachment mechanism mounted to the housing at a pivot point along an outer periphery of the housing. The attachment mechanism is an arcuate hook pivotable with respect to the housing, the arcuate hook having a length extending substantially at least 180° about the pivot point. The method further involves placing the distal end of the port adjacent tissue, and rotating the arcuate hook at least 180 degrees so that a free end of the hook extends into tissue and back out again.

Abstract: A method of implanting a fluid injection port including the step of providing a fluid injection port having a housing having a distal back portion having a recessed portion, a proximal opening and a fluid reservoir therebetween, a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening, and a catheter tube connection member in fluid communication with the reservoir, the member is attached to the recessed portion of the back portion and extends distally therefrom such that connection member does not extend distal to a distal most portion of the back portion. The method then involves attaching the port to tissue of a patient. The method further involves attaching a proximal end of a catheter tube to the catheter tube connection member such that the proximal end of the catheter tube is proximal to the distal most portion of the back portion.

Abstract: An implantable surgical injection port having a housing with a distal back portion having a recessed portion. The housing also includes a proximal opening and a fluid reservoir. The port also has a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening. The port further includes a catheter tube connection member in fluid communication with the reservoir. The member is attached to the recessed portion of the back portion and extends distally therefrom such that connection member does not extend distal to a distal most portion of the back portion.

Abstract: An implantable surgical injection port having an undeployed position, and a deployed position wherein it is attached to tissue. The port includes a housing having a closed distal end, a open proximal end and a fluid reservoir therebetween. The port further includes a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening. The port even further includes at least one attachment mechanism mounted to the housing at a pivot point along an outer periphery of the housing. The attachment mechanism is an arcuate hook pivotable with respect to the housing, wherein the arcuate hook having a length extending substantially greater than 90° about the pivot point.

Abstract: An injection port for subcutaneous placement within a body. The injection port includes an elongated flexible substantially non-rigid body having first and second ends and a wall therebetween. The wall is made from one or more materials such that it will self seal after being punctured by a needle. The body of the device further includs and a fluid reservoir surrounded by the wall. Lastly, the injection port includes a flexible elongated tubular catheter attached to the body which is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for subcutaneously implanting an injection port for use with an implantable medical device. The method involves providing an injection port comprising an elongated flexible substantially non-rigid body having first and second ends and a wall therebetween, the wall is such that it will self seal after being punctured, the body further including and a fluid reservoir surrounded by the wall and a flexible elongated tubular catheter attached to the body which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. Thereafter, the method involves creating an incision within the patient, accessing the subcutaneous fat layer of the patient through the incision, creating a space in the subcutaneous fat layer and implanting the injection port within the subcutaneous fat layer such that the port can be found externally by palpitation.

Abstract: A injection port includes a delivery device guidance configuration which cooperates with a separate fastener delivery device. The delivery device guidance configuration guides and receives the delivery end of the device to locate it in the proper position to apply the fastener. Although not limited thereto, a particular device and fastener are shown in use with the injection port in which a guidance bore guides and receives the delivery end of the device to locate it appropriately to deliver the fastener in the appropriate position.

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: 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.