Patent ID: 8603189
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A medical device for placement in a gastrointestinal tract, the device comprising: a valve member comprising valve portions, the valve member and valve portions comprising a hydrolytically and oxidatively stable biomimetic cellular viscoelastic foam to modify the functioning of a sphincter muscle, the foam being configured to viscoelastically compress and distend in a manner that mechanically augments the action of the sphincter muscle; a support member which is configured to engage with a wall of the gastrointestinal tract to support the valve member in the gastrointestinal tract; wherein the valve portions extend substantially radially inwardly of the support member, the valve portions having an open configuration to facilitate passage of material through the valve member, and a restriction configuration to obstruct flow through the valve member, the valve portions being configured to move between the restriction configuration and the open configuration in response to peristalsis within the gastrointestinal tract, and the valve portions being configured to move gradually over a period of time of at least one second between the open configuration and the restriction configuration due to the viscoelasticity of the foam; and a lining member for lining a part of the gastrointestinal tract, the lining member extending distally of the valve member.