Artificial lower gastrointestinal valve

Claim 1

A bi-directional valve constructed and arranged for insertion within the esophagus in the vicinity of its lower gastroesophageal sphincter without surgically invading the esophagus for permanent installation therewithin comprising: (a) a flexible, smoothly surfaced, conically shaped body having an open base facing the proximal end of said esophagus, a rounded apex facing the distal end of said esophagus and a flexible wall extending from said open base to said rounded apex, (b) a first, lower one-way slot valve for said rounded apex constructed and arranged to be open only when the pressure on said rounded apex from said proximal end exceeds the pressure on said rounded apex from said distal end by a first predetermined amount and to be closed under all other pressure differential conditions on said rounded apex, (c) an open wall portion located on said flexible wall adjacent said open base, (d) a second, upper valve located in said open wall portion and constructed and arranged for said open wall portion to be open only when the pressure on said second, upper valve from said distal end exceeds the pressure on said second, upper valve from said proximal end by a second predetermined amount greater than said first predetermined amount and to close said open wall portion under all other pressure differential conditions on said second, upper valve, and (e) a cylindrical housing coupled to the open base of said conically shaped body to surround the latter and constructed and arranged of a material that does not harm said esophagus to engage said esophagus in fixed position relative thereto.