Patent ID: 8182442

Claim:
A method of inserting a pyloric valve for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract into a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pyloric valve including: a blocking portion having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of disc-shaped flanges connected in series, each of the plurality of disc-shaped flanges having an outer circumference and a recess disposed in the outer circumference, the blocking portion having a contracted position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a stacked configuration and a resting position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a linear configuration; and an intermediate portion having a flexible column coupled to the blocking portion; inserting the pyloric valve through a patient's esophagus and into the patient's stomach with the blocking portion in the resting position; positioning the flexible column within a pyloric sphincter of the patient; and manipulating the blocking portion from the resting position to the contracted position such that the disc-shaped flanges extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the blocking portion.