Patent ID: 8845673
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for curbing appetite in a patient comprising steps of: a. introducing a compacted, swallowable, self-expanding, temporary gastric implant into a stomach of the patient; and b. inflating the gastric implant, when in the stomach, to a predetermined size and shape; thereby creating a feeling of fullness and curbing the appetite; wherein the inflating of step (b) is affected by the presence of the implant in the stomach of the patient, wherein the gastric implant is selected from the group consisting of: a. a gastric implant comprising: i. at least one expandable envelope having an interior and an exterior, the envelope configured to seal temporarily, after the implant has been swallowed by the patient, the interior of the envelope from gastric fluid in the stomach at least until an integral, frangible gas-producing composition in fluid communication with the interior of the envelope produces a gas to expand the envelope to a pre-selected size, the envelope, when expanded, contacts walls of the stomach sufficiently to produce a sensation of fullness in the stomach; and wherein the envelope is operable to maintain expansion for the pre-selected period of time and, ii. an integral, frangible gas-producing composition configured to produce a gas after being swallowed by the patient and upon fracture of at least a portion of the integral, frangible gas-producing composition; and, b. a gastric implant comprising: i. at least one expandable envelope including at least one bioerodible material, the envelope having an interior and an exterior, a toric shape upon expansion, and a pre-selected diameter that, upon expansion, contacts walls of the stomach sufficiently to produce a sensation of fullness in the stomach, the envelope operable to maintain expansion for a pre-selected period of time; ii. a gas-producing composition operable to produce carbon dioxide gas for expansion of the at least one expandable envelope after being swallowed by the patient, the expansion affected by the presence of the implant in the stomach, and, iii. an enclosure including a bioerodible material, the enclosure enclosing the expandable envelope and gas-producing composition prior to expansion, and having a size suitable for swallowing by the patient; and wherein the gastric implant comprises: a. a plurality of discrete expandable elements; and, b. attaching means adapted to attach each of the discrete expandable elements to at least one other discrete expandable element.