Patent US4650476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4899747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and appartus for treating obesity
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-09-06
•
Granted: 1990-02-13
•
Expires: 2003-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A stomach insert for treating obesity in humans by reducing the stomach volume comprises a flexible, free floating and unattached, inflatable balloon, the balloon being inflatable to a volume effective to reduce the stomach volume of a person being treated. At least a portion of the balloon has a self-sealing substance to facilitate puncture thereof with insufflation means through which the balloon is inflated and to facilitate sealing of the puncture upon removal of the insufflation means. The method herein comprises positioning the balloon inside the stomach of the person being treated for obesity so as to reduce the stomach volume.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd R. Garren
- 👤 Mary L. Garren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/0003; A61F5/0013; A61F5/003; A61F5/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A stomach insert for treating obesity in humans by reducing the stomach volume comprising a flexible, free-floating and unattached, inflatable balloon having a manufactured shape and significant resistance to over-inflation, the balloon being inflatable to its manufactured shape to a volume effective to reduce the stomach volume of a person being treated, and at least a portion of the balloon having self-sealing means to facilitate inflation of the balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A stomach insert for treating obesity in humans by reducing the stomach volume comprising a flexible, free-floating and unattached, inflatable balloon having a manufactured shape and significant resistance to over-inflation, the balloon being inflatable to its manufactured shape to a volume effective to reduce the stomach volume of a person being treated, and at least a portion of the balloon having self-sealing means to facilitate inflation of the balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stomach insert as in claim 1 wherein the balloon has an inflated volume of approximately 200 to 800 cc.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for treating obesity in humans comprising the steps of assembling a deflated stomach balloon with an insufflation tube releasably attached thereto inside a standard stomach tube, the balloon having a manufactured shape and significant resistance to over-inflation, thereafter introducing the stomach tube through the mouth and into the stomach, urging the balloon out of the stomach tube and into the stomach, inflating the balloon through the insufflation tube with a given amount of fluid to increase the volume thereof to its manufactured shape, releasing the insufflation tube from the inflated balloon thereby enabling the inflated balloon to freely float within the stomach, and then removing the stomach tube and the insufflation tube from the stomach and out through the mouth whereby the inflated balloon is unattached and free to float within the stomach.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for treating obesity in humans comprising the steps of assembling a deflated stomach balloon with an insufflation tube releasably attached thereto inside a standard stomach tube, the balloon having a manufactured shape and significant resistance to over-inflation, thereafter introducing the stomach tube through the mouth and into the stomach, urging the balloon out of the stomach tube and into the stomach, inflating the balloon through the insufflation tube with a given amount of fluid to increase the volume thereof to its manufactured shape, releasing the insufflation tube from the inflated balloon thereby enabling the inflated balloon to freely float within the stomach, and then removing the stomach tube and the insufflation tube from the stomach and out through the mouth whereby the inflated balloon is unattached and free to float within the stomach.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the balloon is inflated to a volume approximately 80% of the stomach volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 3 including the step of removing the balloon from the stomach by introducing extraction means through the mouth and into the stomach, grasping and puncturing the balloon with the extraction means, and then withdrawing the deflated balloon out of the stomach and through the mouth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the extraction means includes a fiberoptic gastroscope with needle biopsy forceps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
An assembly comprising a stomach tube having a longitudinal slit at one end thereof, a deflated stomach balloon inside the tube at the same end as the longitudinal slit, insufflation means releasably attached to the balloon and extending through the stomach tube, and drawstring means releasably closing the end of the stomach tube at the slit whereby upon removal of the drawstring means and inflation of the balloon the balloon is easily separated from the stomach tube as the tube spreads apart at the slit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
An assembly comprising a stomach tube having a longitudinal slit at one end thereof, a deflated stomach balloon inside the tube at the same end as the longitudinal slit, insufflation means releasably attached to the balloon and extending through the stomach tube, and drawstring means releasably closing the end of the stomach tube at the slit whereby upon removal of the drawstring means and inflation of the balloon the balloon is easily separated from the stomach tube as the tube spreads apart at the slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A stomach insert as in claim 1 wherein the self-sealing means to facilitate inflation of the balloon includes a self-sealing substance on the balloon to facilitate puncture thereof with insufflation means through which the balloon is inflated and to facilitate sealing of the puncture upon removal of the insufflation means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stomach insert as in claim 1 wherein the balloon is fabricated from polyurethane sheet material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A stomach insert as in claim 1 wherein the balloon comprises a single layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stomach insert as in claim 1 wherein the balloon includes a central opening extending therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stomach insert as in claim 11 wherein the central opening in the balloon includes flared outer ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stomach insert as in claim 12 wherein the balloon is fabricated from polyurethane sheet material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1690995A
Cited
US4018230A
Cited
US4102342A
Cited
US4085757A
Cited
US4083369A
Cited
US4133315A
Cited
US4134405A
Cited
US4315509A
Cited
DE2822925A1
Cited
WO1980000007A1
Cited
US4246893A
Cited
US4311146A
Cited
US4416267A
Cited
US4485805A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |