Patent ID: 6981980

Claim:
A self-inflating intragastric medical device comprising: 1) an uninflated, ingestible, substantially liquid-impermeable balloon having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface bounding a lumen; 2) an emissive substance enclosed within the balloon, wherein the emissive substance is a substance that liberates gas when contacted with a reactants; 3) a vessel enclosed within the balloon and enclosing a space within the balloon separate from the lumen, wherein at least a portion of the vessel is fabricated of a gelatin that is soluble in at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of: 1. water, 2. organic acids that are liquid at room temperature, and 3. solutions of mineral or organic acids; and wherein the vessel comprises a receptacle fabricated of the gelatin and having a mouth, further wherein the receptacle is attached at the mouth to a septum by a liquid-impermeable seal; and 4) a self-sealing valve providing fluid communication into the vessel from outside the balloon, wherein the self-sealing valve is the septum.