Non-invasive pressure measurement in a fluid adjustable restrictive device

An implantable restriction system, the system comprising:

• (a) a means for forming a restriction within a patient;
• (b) a means for adjusting the restriction within the patient, wherein the means for adjusting the restriction comprises a fluid in communication with the means for forming a restriction within the patient;
• (c) an injection port in fluid communication with the means for forming a restriction within the patient, wherein the injection port comprises a needle penetrable septum and a housing, wherein the septum is configured to receive a needle for injection of fluid into the port or withdrawal of fluid from the port;
• (d) a fluid conduit coupling the injection port with the means for forming a restriction within a patient;
• (e) a first means for sensing pressure of the fluid, wherein the first means for sensing pressure of the fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid, wherein the first means for sensing pressure of the fluid is positioned within the means for forming a restriction within the patient;
• (f) a second means for sensing pressure of the fluid, wherein the second means for sensing pressure of the fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid, wherein the second means for sensing pressure of the fluid is positioned within one of the injection port or the fluid conduit;
• (g) a means for processing fluid pressure data, wherein the means for processing fluid pressure data is located external to a patient;
• and
• (h) a means for communicating pressure data obtained with the first and second means for sensing pressure to the means for processing fluid pressure data.

A method of obtaining pressure data relating to fluid within an implantable restriction device, the method comprising:

• (a) providing an implantable restriction system, wherein the implantable restriction system is operable to form a restriction within a patient, wherein the implantable restriction system comprises a fluid, a restriction device, an implantable injection port in fluid communication with the restriction device, and an implantable fluid conduit positioned between the implantable restriction device and the implantable port, wherein the size of the restriction is a function of the pressure of the fluid, wherein the implantable fluid conduit comprises a first catheter and a second catheter;
• (b) obtaining pressure data, wherein the pressure data indicates the pressure of the fluid in the implantable restriction system, wherein the pressure data is obtained from one or more pressure sensors located within a housing, wherein the housing is removably secured to the first catheter and the second catheter, wherein the housing comprises barbed connectors configured to engage the first catheter and the second catheter, wherein the one or more pressure sensors are in fluid communication with the fluid;
• (c) communicating the obtained pressure data to a processor located external to the patient;
• (d) processing the pressure data, wherein the pressure data is processed using the processor located external to the patient;
• (e) providing a visual display relating to the processed pressure data;
• and
• (f) adjusting the pressure of fluid within the implantable restriction system, wherein the act of adjusting the pressure of fluid within the implantable restriction system comprises inserting a needle from a location external to the patient into the injection port to introduce additional fluid into the implantable restriction system or withdraw fluid from the implantable restriction system.