Patent ID: 7972346

Claim:
Apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct, comprising: an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a compressible ventral surface and a substantially rigid dorsal periphery; a clip disposed on the first end of the elongated member, the clip configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct; a tension element slidably disposed within the elongated member, the tension element including a helical screw thread portion having a first end and a free end, and a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the helical screw thread portion coupled to the second end of the spring at a junction, and the first end of the spring coupled to the first end of the elongated member, the spring permitting elastic extension of the tension element; and a telemetrically-controlled actuator disposed on the second end of the elongated member, the actuator engaging the free end of the helical screw thread portion of the tension element, operation of the actuator causing the tension element to constrict the loop against a patient's body organ or duct, wherein the rigid dorsal periphery of the elongated member and the spring of the tension element cooperate to permit straightening of the elongated member to facilitate passage into a patient's abdomen laparoscopically.