Abstract:
An intragastric device inserted by endoscopic path into a patient&#39;s stomach. The device includes a balloon or envelope having a specific nominal volume. The balloon is sealingly connected to connecting elements consisting of a disc forming a support base for the balloon against an inner wall of the stomach. The device also includes a flexible tube or catheter for connecting the balloon to a filling device and catching element integral with the tube or catheter. The connection elements enable a doctor to set and/or remove the balloon and to fix, either inside the patient&#39;s body, or subcutaneously the filling device and to be able to bring the balloon or envelope to its predetermined nominal volume.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an intragastric device which is introduced by an endoscopy procedure and permits treatment of patients suffering from morbid obesity. 
   Devices for treatment of morbid obesity are known which consist of a ring which is positioned surgically around the cardiac part of the stomach in order to limit the amount of food absorbed. 
   The positioning of this type of device involves surgical operations which impose a burden on the patient. 
   In addition, this device has certain disadvantages because many problems or surgical complications arise after the use of this treatment technique. 
   The U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,399 has disclosed a device with an elastic balloon which is introduced into the stomach from the outside by way of a permanent trocar fixed on the patient so as to empty into the stomach. 
   The device with an elastic balloon of variable volume comprises means for rendering it leaktight and fixing it on the trocar in order to prevent any external escape from the stomach. 
   It is noted that this device has certain disadvantages as regards its effectiveness in the treatment of morbid obesity. 
   The use of a rigid trocar is a major handicap for the patient because it prevents movements of various tissues and muscles, resulting in pain or discomfort for the patient. 
   In addition, the elastic balloon of variable volume can be inflated until occlusion of the patient&#39;s stomach, which entails a major risk. 
   The balloon of variable volume, on account of its elasticity, and when it is not inflated to its maximum volume, is not able to oppose the volume of food ingested. 
   This is because the passage of the food leads to a deformation of the elastic balloon. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention is easily introduced by an endoscopy procedure which can be performed under local or general anesthesia by gastroenterologists or surgeons. 
   Thus, the intragastric device according to the present invention is made up of a set of devices each comprising a balloon or envelope of defined nominal volume. 
   Thus, the object of the intragastric device according to the invention is to fill a volume by way of a balloon of defined nominal volume which is inflated inside the stomach. 
   With the intragastric device according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the volume of the stomach, and hence the amount ingested to give the patient a feeling of fullness, without any of the psychological or physiological trauma associated with a strict diet. 
   Moreover, the balloon of the intragastric device according to the present invention is retained against the inner wall of the stomach, affording the patient comfort and avoiding possible migrations or blocking of the digestive tract. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention, introduced by an endoscopy procedure into the stomach of a patient for treating morbid obesity, is made up of a set of devices each comprising a balloon or envelope of defined nominal volume which is connected in a leaktight manner to connection means consisting of a disk forming a support base for the balloon against the inner wall of the stomach, a flexible tube or catheter for connecting the balloon to a supply device, and securing means integral with the tube or catheter, said connection means making it possible, on the one hand, to position and/or recover the balloon and, on the other hand, to fix the supply device either outside the patient&#39;s body or subcutaneously, in order to be able to bring the balloon or envelope to its defined nominal volume. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a disk which is positioned about the flexible tube or catheter and against the outer wall of the balloon or envelope. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a balloon which is fixed about the tube or catheter so that the latter opens out inside said balloon. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises securing means which consist of a joining piece of conical profile integral with a filament. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a joining piece having a stub which penetrates inside an internal bore of the tube or catheter. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a filament having a straight or looped profile. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a disk which is of circular shape. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a disk which is of oval shape. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a balloon or envelope which has an oval profile or other profile which is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a balloon or envelope which has an oval profile or other profile which is asymmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a balloon or envelope which has a kidney-bean-shaped profile symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter. 
   The intragastric device according to the present invention comprises a balloon or envelope which has a kidney-bean-shaped profile asymmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following description in which reference is made to the attached drawings, which are given as nonlimiting examples, will permit a better understanding of the invention, its characteristics, and its advantages. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a view according to F in  FIG. 1 , showing the shape of the disk supporting the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a supply device of the nonreturn valve type which is fixed on the flexible tube or catheter of the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing another feed device of the implantable chamber type which is fixed on the flexible tube or catheter of the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a view showing a variant of the balloon or envelope of the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a view showing another variant of the balloon or envelope of the intragastric device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positioning, on the patient, of the intragastric device integral with the feed device of the nonreturn valve type. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view showing the positioning, on the patient, of the intragastric device integral with the feed device of the implantable chamber type. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
   In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an intragastric device  1  has been shown which is implanted in the stomach  2  of a patient, and of which the shape and nominal volume of a balloon or envelope  3  is defined and permits the treatment of a patient suffering from morbid obesity. 
   Each intragastric device is made up of a set of devices each comprising a balloon or envelope  3  of defined nominal volume of between 100 cubic centimeters and 1100 cubic centimeters. 
   The intragastric device  1  comprises a balloon or envelope  3  of oval or other shape whose defined nominal volume is obtained by the quantity of liquid or gas injected into it. 
   The intragastric device  1  comprises connection means making it possible, on the one hand, to position and/or recover the balloon or envelope  3  and, on the other hand, to fix a supply device  4 ,  5  either outside the patient&#39;s body or subcutaneously, in order to be able to bring the balloon or envelope  3  to its defined nominal volume. 
   The connection means consist of a disk  6  forming a support base for the balloon or envelope  3  against the inner wall of the stomach  2 , and of a hollow tube or catheter  7  which is flexible for connection to a supply device  4 ,  5 . 
   The balloon or envelope  3  has an oval profile or other profile which is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the flexible tube or catheter  7 . 
   In one variant, the balloon or envelope  3  can have an oval profile or other profile which is asymmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the flexible tube or catheter  7 . 
   The tube or catheter  7  comprises securing means  9  which are arranged at the opposite end from the disk  6 . 
   The disk  6  and the tube or catheter  7  are made from the same plastic material such as polyurethane or silicone or the like. 
   In a nonlimiting manner, the disk  6  has either a circular shape or an oval shape extending perpendicular about the outer periphery of the tube or catheter  7 . 
   The disk  6  is positioned about the tube or catheter  7  in such a way as to define a cylindrical bearing surface  10  of small dimension constituting a support on the inner wall of the stomach. 
   The disk  6  is positioned about the flexible tube or catheter  7  and against the outer wall of the balloon or envelope  3 . 
   The disk  6  is designed in such a way as to be able to undergo elastic deformation so as to press flat against the inner wall of the stomach  2  during introduction of the intragastric device  1 . 
   The securing means  9  consist of a joining piece  11  of conical profile integral with a stub  12  which penetrates inside the internal bore  13  of the flexible tube or catheter  7 . 
   The conical profile of the joining piece  11  is intended to facilitate the dilation of the tissues, in order to withdraw the tube or catheter  7  outside the stomach  2  and the abdominal wall. 
   In the continuation of its conical profile, the joining piece  11  is integral with a filament  8  which can be straight or looped. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the intragastric device  1  according to the present invention has been shown comprising a balloon or envelope  3  whose outer shape has a kidney-bean profile which is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the flexible tube or catheter  7 . 
   This particular profile of the balloon or envelope  3  permits, when the latter is brought to its defined nominal volume, a better adaptation to the inner contour of the patient&#39;s stomach  2 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , the intragastric device  1  according to the present invention has been shown in which the balloon or envelope  3  has a kidney-bean-shaped outer profile which is asymmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis of the flexible tube or catheter  7 . 
   Specifically, it will be noted that the balloon or envelope  3  of kidney-bean shape has, above the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter  7 , a part whose volume is greater than the part situated below said tube or catheter. 
   The asymmetrical profile of the balloon or envelope  3  in relation to the horizontal axis of the tube or catheter  7  allows the latter to adapt to the inner profile of the stomach  2 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , the intragastric device  1  has been shown inside the stomach  2  of a patient. This device is put in place by an endoscopy procedure, passing it through the mouth and then the esophagus  14  and positioning it in the stomach  2 . 
   The operating surgeon proceeds to recover the tube or catheter  7  percutaneously by virtue of the securing means  9  with which it is possible to spread the tissues apart without tearing them. 
   The tube or catheter  7  is fixed by an attachment system  15  to the skin of the patient&#39;s belly in order to hold the intragastric device  1  in place. 
   The tube or catheter  7  is then cut outside the patient&#39;s body to remove the joining piece  11  integral with the filament  8  constituting the securing means  9 , and to permit fitting of a supply device  4  with nonreturn valve. 
   The balloon or envelope  3  is inflated by way of a syringe or the like (not shown) which is fitted onto the supply device  4  in order to bring said balloon or envelope to its defined nominal volume. 
   Once the defined nominal volume of the balloon  3  is reached, the latter is pressed flat against the inner wall of the stomach  2 , by means of external traction on the tube or catheter  7 , so as to ensure, by virtue of the disk  6 , perfect leaktightness between the stomach  2  and the peritoneal cavity. 
   In  FIG. 8 , the intragastric device  1  has been shown inside the stomach  2  of a patient. This device is put in place by an endoscopy procedure, passing it through the mouth and then the esophagus  14  and positioning it in the stomach  2 . 
   The operating surgeon proceeds to recover the tube or catheter  7  percutaneously by virtue of the securing means  9  with which it is possible to spread the tissues apart without tearing them. 
   The tube or catheter  7  is fixed by an aponeurotic attachment system which holds the intragastric device  1  in place. 
   The tube or catheter  7  is then cut to remove the joining piece  11  integral with the filament  8 , in order to permit the fitting of a supply device of the implantable chamber type  5  which is positioned subcutaneously. 
   The balloon or envelope  3  is brought to its defined nominal volume by way of a Huber needle associated with a syringe (not shown) which is introduced into the implantable chamber  5 , available on the market, for example, under the name “Districath”. 
   Once the defined nominal volume of the balloon or envelope  3  is reached, the latter is pressed flat against the inner wall of the stomach  2 , by means of external traction on the tube or catheter  7 , so as to ensure, by virtue of the disk  6 , perfect leaktightness between the stomach  2  and the peritoneal cavity. 
   It will be noted that the effect of the intragastric device  1  is to reduce the volume of the stomach  2  and hence the amount ingested to give the patient a feeling of fullness. 
   It will be noted that the intragastric device  1  does not require any surgical intervention imposing a burden on the patient and causing trauma. 
   It will be noted that the intragastric device  1  can be easily removed at the end of treatment on account of its external or subcutaneous fixation. 
   It will be noted that the defined nominal volume of each balloon or envelope  3  of a set of intragastric devices  1  will never obstruct the maximum volume of the stomach, so as to avoid any occlusion of the latter and thereby safeguard the patient. 
   It must also be understood that the above description has been given only by way of example and that it does not in any way limit the scope of the invention, and that the details described could be replaced by any other equivalent means without thereby departing from said scope of the invention.