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AssigneeCompagnie Europeenne d'etude et de Recherche de Dispositifs pour l'Implatation par Laporoscopie
InventorSalomom Benchetrit
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The invention relates to a gastroplasty ring formed by a flexible strip (2) for passing around the stomach and for being closed near its two end portions (5, 6) by a closure system (7, 12, 13, 15, 20) to reduce the diameter of the opening of the stoma, said strip having an annular compression chamber of adjustable volume and of substantially constant section that is connected by an adjustment catheter (7) to a device (8) for adjusting the internal pressure in said chamber so as to adjust its diametral expansion, the ring being characterized in that the closure system includes means (12, 13) for locking and loosening the ring, which means are carried by the adjustment catheter, thus making it possible, starting from the position in which the diameter of the ring is locked, to release the diameter of the ring by relative displacement between the two end portions. The ring constitutes a gastric implant for treating obesity.
1/ A gastroplasty ring formed by a flexible strip (2) for passing around the stomach and for being closed near its two end portions (5, 6) by a closure system (7, 12, 13, 15, 20) to reduce the diameter of the opening of the stoma, said strip having an annular compression chamber (3) of adjustable volume and of substantially constant section that is connected by an adjustment catheter (7) to a device (8) for adjusting the internal pressure in said chamber so as to adjust its diametral expansion, the ring being characterized in that the closure system (7, 12, 13, 15, 20) includes means (12, 13) for locking and loosening the ring, which means are carried by the adjustment catheter (7), thus making it possible, starting from the position in which the diameter of the ring is locked, to release the diameter of the ring by relative displacement between the two end portions (5, 6).
2/ A ring according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking and loosening means (12, 13) comprise at least one deformable zone (12) formed on the adjustment catheter (7), and an opening (15) made in the wall (4) of a first end portion (6) of the strip (2).
3/ A ring according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment catheter (7) is capable of sliding in the opening (15) to loop the ring, the deformable zone (12) being suitable firstly for forming a local projection (13) in the event of the pressure inside the catheter (7) increasing, and for bearing against the inside walls of the strip (2) to lock the ring in the closed position, and secondly for returning to its rest shape in the event of a return to normal pressure so as to allow the adjustment catheter (7) to slide freely and loosen the loop.
4/ A ring according to claim 3, characterized in that the deformable zone (12) is a weak zone formed in the adjustment catheter (7), and which, at rest, projects relative to the remainder of the section of the adjustment catheter (7).
5/ A ring according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said first end portion of the flexible strip (2) is provided with a hollow sleeve (20), said sleeve having the opening (15) so that the second end portion (5) of the strip (2) can be inserted into the sleeve (20).
6/ A ring according to claim 5, characterized in that said second end portion (5) of the flexible strip (2) is of converging shape and the projection (13) is situated in the vicinity of said second end portion.
7/ A ring according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the adjustment catheter (7) also includes visual location means (25) which are situated at a distance from the deformable zone (12) and which are intended, when the closure means (12, 13) are in the locked position, to pass through the opening (15) of the sleeve (20).
8/ A ring according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking and loosening means (12, 13) include pneumatic means making use of fluid, gas, or a liquid.
9/ A ring according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cross-section of the strip (2) is oblong.
10/ A ring according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment catheter (7) is substantially rigid and is long relative to the diameter of the ring to make it easier to pass the catheter (7) through the opening (15).
11/ A ring according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the strip (2) includes, on its outside wall, handling means (30) intended to facilitate manipulation of the ring.
12/ A ring according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the closure system also includes female means secured to the strip (2) and mounted on or relative to said strip, the locking and loosening means (12, 13) being suitable for sliding in the female means between a locking position and a loosening position.
13/ A ring according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the adjustment catheter (7) is connected to a device (8) for pressurizing it and depressurizing it.