LAPAROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION AND REMOVAL THEREOF

摘要

-30-An adjustable gastric banding device forregulating the size of a stoma opening in the stomachof a patient includes an elongate band portion thatencircles the stomach so as to limit the food intake bythe digestive portion of the stomach. The device canbe readily implanted and removed using laparoscopicprocedures. A locking element protruding from alocation near the distal end of the encircling bandportion is inserted into a slot formed in a receivingsegment at an intermediate location along theencircling band portion so as to form a circle or loopof fixed diameter. The receiving segment has athickness which is greater than the thickness of theencircling band portion and of the rear portion of theband. A-moveable bolt secures the locking element inthe slot. The bolt can be displaced remotely, thusreleasing the locking element and allowing easylaparoscopic removal of the banding device. The entirecircumference of the stomach encircling band portion iscovered by an expandable section in contact with thesurface of the stomach. The size of the stoma openingcan be adjusted by injecting into or removing fluidfrom the expandable section.