Patent ID: 8100850

Claim:
A method of inserting a pyloric valve for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric regions of the gastrointestinal tract, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pyloric valve including a blocking portion and a support, the blocking portion having at least one axially-aligned annular flange defining a central opening and having an outer circumference and a recess disposed in the outer circumference, the support having a rim and a support surface having a convexity, the rim being connected to the proximal-most of the at least one axially-aligned annular flange, the support having a nested position wherein the support surface is disposed within the central opening and an inverted position wherein the support surface is disposed away from the central opening; inserting the pyloric valve through the patient's esophagus and into the patient's stomach with the support in the inverted position; positioning the pyloric valve to a location adjacent to the patient's pyloric sphincter; and manipulating the support from the inverted position to the nested position such that the convexity is changed from an orientation where it is open toward the distal direction to an orientation where it is open toward the proximal direction.