Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A hollow, flexible and thin-walled gastric pouch of human stomach-shaped configuration including smooth inner and outer surfaces throughout and constructed of an inert elastomeric material, said pouch including an upper fundus end, remote greater curvature and lesser curvature sides extending from said fundus end to an open antrum end remote from said fundus end and posterior and anterior sides also extending between said ends and said greater and lesser curvature sides, said fundus end including an esophageal opening and further including an elongated slot having margins, said slot being formed along said lesser curvature side, extending longitudinally from said opening to said open antrum end, only the margins extending along opposite sides of said slot being reinforced with reinforcing material, with the remainder of said pouch being free of internal reinforcement, said reinforcing material comprising a reinforcing mesh imbedded fully within said material between said inner and outer surfaces of said pouch, said mesh serving as reinforcing for suturing when securing said pouch about a patient's stomach.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A hollow, flexible and thin-walled gastric pouch of human stomach-shaped configuration including smooth inner and outer surfaces throughout and constructed of an inert elastomeric material, said pouch including an upper fundus end, remote greater curvature and lesser curvature sides extending from said fundus end to an open antrum end remote from said fundus end and posterior and anterior sides also extending between said ends and said greater and lesser curvature sides, said fundus end including an esophageal opening and further including an elongated slot having margins, said slot being formed along said lesser curvature side, extending longitudinally from said opening to said open antrum end, only the margins extending along opposite sides of said slot being reinforced with reinforcing material, with the remainder of said pouch being free of internal reinforcement, said reinforcing material comprising a reinforcing mesh imbedded fully within said material between said inner and outer surfaces of said pouch, said mesh serving as reinforcing for suturing when securing said pouch about a patient's stomach.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The pouch of claim 1 including an annular collar of inert, flexible material having a generally radial slit with two opposing ends, said collar being bonded to the outer surface of said pouch about said esophageal opening with said slit registered with said slot, said two opposing ends having corresponding elongated, flexible mesh reinforced suture tab sections secured to the outer surfaces thereof, said tab section including free ends extending beyond the opposing ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The pouch of claim 1 wherein said pouch has openings formed therethrough spaced generally equally over the surface of said pouch, said openings being generally 3 mm in diameter and spaced apart generally 2.0 cm to 3 cm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pouch of claim 3 wherein said inert elastomeric material comprises a high performance medical grade silicone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pouch of claim 2 wherein said reinforcing mesh comprises a polyethylene terephtalate tricot knit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pouch of claim 2 wherein said collar is constructed of high performance medical grade silicone elastomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The pouch of claim 6 wherein said pouch has openings formed therethrough spaced generally equally over the surface of said pouch, said openings being generally 3 mm in diameter and spaced apart generally 2.0 cm to 3 cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pouch of claim 7 wherein said inert elastomeric material comprises a high performance medical grade silicone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pouch of claim 2 wherein said suture tab sections are free of bonding to said annular collar closely adjacent said radial slit.