Patent ID: 8740927

Claim:
A method for deflating an intragastric balloon, the method comprising: providing an intragastric balloon in an in vivo intragastric environment, the intragastric balloon comprising a polymeric wall and a valve system, the valve system comprising a self-sealing valve, a casing, an outer sealing member, a rigid retaining structure, and a deflation component; wherein the casing has one or more vent pathways and a lip configured to hold the outer sealing member in place, wherein the outer sealing member is positioned to block the one or more vent pathways when in place, wherein the rigid retaining structure provides support to the self-sealing valve and the outer sealing member, and wherein the deflation component is situated in the casing and behind the retaining structure; exposing the deflation component to moisture inside of the balloon via the one or more vent pathways, whereby the deflation component expands, pushing the retaining structure and thus the outer sealing member linearly past the lip of the casing to open the one or more vent pathways so as to provide fluid communication between the in vivo gastric environment and a lumen of the balloon; and deflating the balloon through the one or more vent pathways.