Self-sealing fluid joint for use with a gastric band
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsBabak Honaryar, Sean Snow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a mechanical interlock joint geometry for various components and joining of components thereby creating a reliable seal against fluid leaks that is resistant at typical pressures experienced when the components are implanted into a human body. Furthermore, the seal may be enhanced when a fluid pressure exerted inside the components is increased (e.g., from 1 to 10 psi).
Claims18
A gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the gastric banding system comprising:
- a gastric band having an inflatable portion configured to constrict a stomach of a patient;
- an access port coupled to the gastric band for insertion of fluid to or removal of fluid from the inflatable portion of the gastric band to adjust the constriction of the inflatable portion of the gastric band about the stomach of the patient;
- a fluid reservoir for holding fluid and connected between the gastric band and the access port, the fluid reservoir including a first end and a second end, the fluid reservoir having a first male half and a first female half, the first male half having a first ball and a first flange, and the first female half defining a first ball receiving cavity for receiving the first ball, and further defining a first flange receiving cavity for receiving the first flange, wherein the first male half and the first female half forming a first interlock when the first ball receiving cavity receives the first ball, and when the first flange receiving cavity receives the first flange;
- a first tube for carrying fluid between the inflatable portion of the gastric band and the fluid reservoir, the first tube having a first end connected to the inflatable portion of the gastric band and a second end connected to the first end of the fluid reservoir;
- and
- a second tube for carrying fluid between the access port and the fluid reservoir, the second tube having a first end connected to the second end of the fluid reservoir and a second end connected to the access port,
- wherein the interlock formed by the first male half and the first female half creates a fluid tight seal for preventing leaking out of the fluid reservoir without the use of adhesive, rings or clamps.
A fluid reservoir for carrying fluid within a gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the fluid reservoir comprising:
- a first half of the fluid reservoir including:
- a first connector for fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to an inflatable portion of a gastric band,
- a first housing coupled to the connector, the first housing defining a first sub-reservoir, the first housing tapering to a first flat joining surface, and
- a ball and flange coupled to the first flat joining surface, the ball and flange defining a second sub-reservoir;
- and
- a second half of the fluid reservoir including:
- a second connector for fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to an access port, and
- a second housing coupled to the second connector, the second housing defining a third sub-reservoir, the second housing tapering to a second flat joining surface, the second housing further defining a ball receiving cavity for receiving the ball and a flange receiving cavity for receiving the flange to interlock the first half of the fluid reservoir with the second half of the fluid reservoir.
A tube-to-tube apparatus for establishing a fluid path between a first tube and a second tube to allow the tubes to carry fluid within a gastric banding system for the treatment of obesity, the apparatus comprising:
- a first sleeve including:
- a first end overmolding the first tube,
- an intermediate portion coupled to the first end, the intermediate portion defining a first sub-reservoir and having a first flat joining surface, and
- a second end having a ball and flange, the second end protruding from the first flat joining surface and defining a second sub-reservoir fluidly coupled to the first sub-reservoir;
- and
- a second sleeve interlocked to the first sleeve, the second sleeve including:
- a first end of the second sleeve overmolding the second tube,
- an intermediate portion coupled to the first end of the second sleeve, the intermediate portion defining a third sub-reservoir and having a second flat joining surface, and
- a second end of the second sleeve defining a ball receiving cavity for receiving the ball and a flange receiving cavity for receiving the flange to interlock the first sleeve with the second sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.