External anchoring configurations for modular gastrointestinal prostheses

A modular gastrointestinal implant system for treating metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, the system comprising:

• an external implant configured for affixing around at least a portion of a duodenum or pylorus, the external implant having a docking feature;
• and
• a therapeutic implant adapted for placement within a gastrointestinal tract, the therapeutic implant having a securing feature adapted to removably couple with the docking feature without penetrating the gastrointestinal tract, such that the therapeutic implant resists migration within the gastrointestinal tract;
• wherein the external band has an implanted diameter slightly smaller than outer diameter of the duodenum or pylorus.

A method of treating metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, the method comprising:

• placing an external implant around at least a portion of the duodenum, the external implant having a docking feature and the external implant having an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the corresponding portion of the duodenum;
• implanting, using a minimally-invasive technique, an internal tubular implant having a securing feature to a location within the duodenum corresponding to the location of the external implant;
• and
• causing the securing feature to removably couple with the docking feature without penetrating the duodenum;