Patents by Inventor Zachary Dominguez
Zachary Dominguez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20130331643Abstract: Generally described herein are automatic, self-adjusting, gastric banding systems and improvements thereof, that are capable of automatically relaxing and contracting in response to a large bolus passing through the area of a patient's stomach constricted by a gastric band. Alternatively, and/or in addition in one or more embodiments, the gastric banding systems described herein may also help prevent pouch dilatation and/or erosion. The apparatus and systems described herein aid in facilitating obesity control and/or treating obesity-related diseases while generally being non-invasive once implanted. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the self-adjusting gastric banding systems disclosed herein are automatically adjustable without complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves. The automatic adjustments may also be made in response to other changes in the patient's esophageal-gastric junction, for example, in response to size, shape, and or location changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Allergan, Inc.Inventors: Sean Snow, Mitchell H. Babkes, Marcos Borrell, Christopher Deuel, Zachary Dominguez, Ethan Franklin, Babak Honaryar, Erik Torjesen
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Publication number: 20130296765Abstract: Intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods for operation thereof are disclosed. The intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods are intended to assist a patient in maintaining a healthy body weight by stimulating the inner stomach walls and/or the inner duodenum walls. Features of the intragastric fluid transfer device include insertion of the devices transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The life span of these intragastric fluid transfer devices may be material-dependent upon long-term survivability within an acidic stomach, but is intended to last one year or longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Zachary Dominguez, Joseph Raven, Mitchell H. Babkes
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Publication number: 20130289466Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive implants do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The implants may take up volume within the stomach, thus reducing the digestive capacity. Additionally, the implants may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Also, a number of implants slow gastric emptying by blocking or otherwise impeding flow through the pyloric sphincter. Other implants delay digestion by providing a duodenal sleeve. A number of implants combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the implants within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the implants through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the implants occurs in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez
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Publication number: 20120191125Abstract: An intragastric obesity treatment implant promotes a feeling of satiety in the patient by contacting the insides of the stomach wall, reducing the space in the stomach, or otherwise reducing the amount of food consumed. One intragastric obesity treatment implant two inflatable balloons coupled via a flow restrictor through which fluid may flow in response to peristaltic motions of a patient's stomach. Additionally, one implant comprises a pumping chamber coupled to a reservoir, where the pumping chamber moves stomach fluids into the reservoir in response to peristaltic motions of the patient's stomach.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez, Christopher S. Mudd, Craig Olroyd, Jonathann Daugusta
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Publication number: 20120095494Abstract: Transoral obesity treatment devices and related methods for operation thereof are described which occupy space within a stomach and/or stimulate the stomach wall. The transoral obesity treatment devices and related methods are intended to assist a patient in maintaining a healthy body weight. Features of the devices include insertion transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The life span of these devices may be material-dependent upon long-term survivability within an acidic stomach, but is intended to last one year or longer. The devices have the capacity to vary in size and are desirably self-actuating in that they change shape and/or volume using internal motors or actuators. The changing character of the devices helps prevent the person's stomach from compensating for the implant, such as sometimes happens with static intragastric devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Zachary Dominguez, Mitchell H. Babkes, Justin Schwab, Christopher S. Mudd, Jason Hoover
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Publication number: 20120095483Abstract: An intragastric implant for obesity treatment is disclosed. The device delays digestion by providing a duodenal sleeve, and may also slows gastric emptying by limiting flow through the pyloric sphincter. The implant includes an elongated axially-compressible duodenal sleeve having a non-tissue-piercing anchor on a proximal end sized to lodge within the duodenal bulb. The anchor may have oppositely-directed anchoring flanges to resists migration in both directions. The sleeve may also have barbed ribs to resist proximal movement back up into the stomach. A method of implant includes collapsing/compressing the device and transorally advancing it through the esophagus to be deployed within the duodenum. A dissolvable jacket may constrain the implant for delivery and naturally dissolve upon implant. Removal of the implant may occur in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez, Christopher S. Mudd
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Publication number: 20120095496Abstract: Transoral three-dimensionally orthogonal intragastric spring systems, devices, methods of operation and manufacture are provided. A transoral three-dimensionally orthogonal intragastric spring system and/or device (and related methods of manufacture and operation) may reduce obesity or weight by stimulating the stomach walls of the patient. The three-dimensionally orthogonal intragastric spring device may be a purely mechanical device comprising a flexible body which in response to an input force in one direction, may deform and cause a resultant displacement in an orthogonal direction, thereby exerting a pressure on the inner stomach walls of the patient. Alternatively, a three-dimensionally orthogonal intragastric spring device may include a variable size balloon configured to occupy volume in the patient's stomach, thereby reducing the amount of space in the patient's stomach.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Zachary Dominguez, Justin Schwab, Mitchell H. Babkes
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Publication number: 20120095499Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive devices do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The devices may provide slowed entry into the stomach, thus reducing the intake capacity. Additionally, the devices may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Some devices combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the devices within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the devices through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the devices occurs in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez
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Publication number: 20120095385Abstract: Intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods for operation thereof are disclosed. The intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods are intended to assist a patient in maintaining a healthy body weight by stimulating the inner stomach walls and/or the inner duodenum walls. Features of the intragastric fluid transfer device include insertion of the devices transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The life span of these intragastric fluid transfer devices may be material-dependent upon long-term survivability within an acidic stomach, but is intended to last one year or longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Zachary Dominguez, Joseph S. Raven, Mitchell H. Babkes
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Publication number: 20120095497Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive devices do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The devices may take up volume within the stomach, thus reducing the intake capacity. Additionally, the devices may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, or the greater and lesser curvatures in the middle of the stomach, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Some devices may combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the devices within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the devices through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the devices occurs in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez, Justin Schwab, Jason Hoover
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Publication number: 20120095384Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive implants do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The implants may take up volume within the stomach, thus reducing the digestive capacity. Additionally, the implants may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Also, a number of implants slow gastric emptying by blocking or otherwise impeding flow through the pyloric sphincter. Other implants delay digestion by providing a duodenal sleeve. A number of implants combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the implants within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the implants through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the implants occurs in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez
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Publication number: 20120095495Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive devices do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The devices may take up volume within the stomach, thus reducing the intake capacity. Additionally, the devices may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Also, certain devices slow gastric emptying by blocking or otherwise impeding flow through the pyloric sphincter. A number of devices combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the devices within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the devices through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the devices occurs in the reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez, Justin Schwab
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Publication number: 20120089170Abstract: The present application provides intragastric devices for the treatment of obesity. The intragastric devices advantageously act as a volume-occupying device, and is able to survive implantation in a patient's stomach for a year or longer. In addition, the intragastric devices may provide additional benefits. For example, the intragastric device may be configured to stimulate an inner stomach wall and/or temporarily block the pylorus to slow gastric emptying and/or be rotationally variant, thereby encouraging different stimulation points on the inner wall of the stomach and limiting the stomach's ability to adapt over long term implantation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventor: Zachary Dominguez
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Publication number: 20120089172Abstract: The present application provides implantable intragastric devices for the treatment of obesity. The intragastric devices advantageously act as a volume-occupying device, and is able to survive implantation in a patient's stomach for a year or longer. In addition, the intragastric devices may be configured to stimulate an inner stomach wall and/or temporarily block the pylorus to slow gastric emptying and/or be rotationally variant, thereby encouraging different stimulation points on the inner wall of the stomach and limiting the stomach's ability to adapt over long term implantation. The intragastric devices may reshape the stomach cavity, such as by pushing on opposite sides so as to “planarize” the stomach. For instance, the device may be an inflated disk, or an implantable loop or a springy coil that may be straightened for delivery/extraction yet assume the loop or coil shape upon implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Zachary Dominguez, Christopher S. Mudd, Joseph S. Raven