Patent ID: 8647358

Claim:
A system for inflating an intragastric balloon, the system comprising: an inflation catheter, wherein the inflation catheter comprises a needle assembly comprising a hollow needle and a bell-shaped needle sleeve; an intragastric balloon comprising a polymeric wall, wherein the polymeric wall comprises one or more layers, and a balloon valve system comprising a self-sealing septum in a retaining structure, wherein the septum is configured for piercing by the needle, wherein the retaining structure comprises a concentric valve system with a smaller inner cylinder housing the septum and a larger outer cylinder housing a material providing compressive forces against the bell-shaped needle sleeve of the inflation catheter for inflation and detachment, wherein the material providing compressive forces is a harder durometer material than the septum, and wherein the smaller inner cylinder comprises a lip configured for an interference fit with the bell-shaped needle sleeve to provide sealing of the valve to the inflation catheter sufficient to maintain the seal during inflation of the balloon while permitting detachment of the inflation catheter from the valve after inflation of the balloon in vivo is complete; a balloon outer container; and an inflation source container, wherein the inflation source container is configured to connect to the inflation catheter; wherein the inflation catheter connected to the intragastric balloon prior to inflation is of a size and shape configured for swallowing by a patient in need thereof.