Patent ID: 6676674
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A non-inflatable gastric band mounting onto a patient's stomach outside the stomach, so as to fix a desired diameter of the band in its operating closed position to thereby adjust a desired diameter of the stomach opening and a volume of the stomach above the band defined by a separate calibrating device, the band being made of a soft non-extendable material and comprising:(a) outer and inner surfaces, wherein the inner surface engages the stomach when in an operating position of the band mounted on the stomach; (b) a through-going opening at a location spaced from a butt-end of the band a predetermined distance to define an extended end portion of the band of a predetermined length, such that, when the band is closed, said end portion freely protrudes front the band; (c) an opposite end portion of the band shaped so as to be insertable into said through-going opening for adjusting a desired inner diameter of the band in its closed operating position and fastening said opposite end portion to the outer surface of the band upon establishing the desired diameter; said extended end portion and said opposite portion serving for gripping the band while mounting it onto the stomach and adjusting the diameter of the band to bring it into its operating closed position, said extended free protruding end portion of the band enabling detection of the band while in the operative position thereof mounted on the stomach and enabling gripping the band for readjusting the diameter of the stomach opening after the band is brought into its operating position; and (d) a fastening means for fastening said opposite end portion of the band to the outer surface of the band to bring the band into its operating closed position, said fastening means allowing locking and real zing the band while adjusting the inner diameter of the band to bring the band into said operating position; wherein said fastening means comprises at least two stitches applied to the band.