Satiation devices and methods

A method of effecting weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a prosthesis including an antral tube expandable from a collapsed position in which the antral tube has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the antral tube has a second, larger, diameter;
• further providing a bowel tube attachable to a distal portion of the antral tube, the bowel tube having a diameter smaller than the second diameter of the antral tube;
• with the antral tube in the collapsed position, inserting the antral tube into an antrum of a patient;
• allowing the antral tube to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the atrum;
• attaching the bowel tube to the antral tube;
• and
• positioning the bowel tube within the intestine of the patient.

A method of effecting weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a prosthesis including an antral tube expandable from a collapsed position in which the antral tube has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the antral tube has a second, larger, diameter;
• further providing a fundal basket attachable to a proximal portion of the antral tube;
• with the antral tube in the collapsed position, inserting the antral tube into an antrum of a patient;
• allowing the antral tube to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the atrum;
• attaching the fundal basket to the antral tube;
• and
• positioning the fundal basket within the fundus of the stomach.

An apparatus for inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising:

• a prosthesis proportioned for placement in the stomach, the prosthesis defining a lumen for passage of food therethrough, the prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the prosthesis further including
• an antral portion sized for positioning within an antrum of a stomach such that exterior walls of the antral portion contact adjacent walls of the stomach,
• an intestinal portion sized for positioning within the duodenum such that exterior walls of the intestinal portion contact adjacent walls of the duodenum, and
• an intermediate portion extending between the antral portion and the intestinal portion for placement within the pyloric sphincter of the stomach.

A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pouch having a proximal opening and a distal opening;
• positioning the pouch within the stomach of a patient;
• placing the proximal opening of the pouch at the distal end of the esophagus and approximately aligning said proximal opening with said distal end;
• securing the pouch within the stomach;
• and
• causing food ingested by the patient to flow from the esophagus into the pouch.

A method of inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongate tube;
• securing the tube within the intestine of a patient, distally of the ampulla of vader;
• and
• causing food passing into the intestine of the patient to pass through the tube, the tube creating a barrier to absorption of the food by the intestine.

A method of inducing weight loss in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tubular prosthesis having a wall surrounding a lumen, the wall formed of a framework that is self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter;
• with the prosthesis in the collapsed position, inserting the prosthesis into a stomach of a patient;
• and
• allowing the prosthesis to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach.