Telemetrically controlled band for regulating functioning of a body organ or duct, and methods of making, implantation and use

A method of laparoscopically implanting a gastric ring comprising a telemetrically-driven actuator within a patient's abdominal cavity to control passage of food through the patient's stomach, the method comprising:

• providing a gastric ring comprising an elongated member having a first end and a second end, a housing disposed on the second end of the elongated member, an electric motor disposed within the housing, a nut actuator disposed within the housing and coupled to the electric motor, a flexible element sealingly encapsulated in the elongated member, the flexible element defining a helical screw thread that engages and extends through the nut actuator, operation of the nut actuator causing the helical screw thread to selectively constrict the elongated member against the patient's stomach;
• placing at least one laparoscopic cannula within the abdominal cavity;
• insufflating the abdominal cavity to create a pneumoperitoneum;
• placing at least two additional laparoscopic cannulae within the abdominal cavity;
• dissecting tissue surrounding the stomach to create a path for the gastric ring;
• introducing the gastric ring into the abdominal cavity;
• grasping the gastric ring with a tool placed through one of the cannulae;
• pulling the gastric ring into an encircling position around the stomach;
• and
• securing the gastric ring in the encircling position around the stomach.

A method of laparoscopically implanting a gastric band comprising a telemetrically-driven mechanical actuator within a patient's abdominal cavity to control passage of food through the patient's stomach, the method comprising:

• providing a gastric band comprising an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member further having a flexible element sealingly encapsulated in the elongated member, the flexible element defining a helical screw thread, the gastric band having a telemetrically-driven mechanical nut actuator, the helical screw thread engaging and extending through the telemetrically-driven mechanical nut actuator, operation of the telemetrically-driven mechanical nut actuator causing the helical screw thread to selectively constrict the elongated member against the patient's stomach;
• inserting a plurality of cannulae into the abdominal cavity;
• insufflating of the abdominal cavity to create a pneumoperitoneum;
• dissecting tissue surrounding the stomach to create a path for the elongated member using a first tool inserted into one of the cannulae;
• introducing the gastric band into the abdominal cavity;
• grasping the gastric band with a second tool placed through a cannula;
• and
• manipulating the elongated member to encircle the patient's stomach and form a stoma opening within the stomach.

A method of laparoscopically implanting a gastric ring comprising a telemetrically-driven actuator within a patient's abdominal cavity to control passage of food through the patient's stomach, the method comprising:

• providing a gastric ring comprising an elongated member having a first end and a second end, a housing disposed on the second end of the elongated member, an electric motor disposed within the housing, an actuator disposed within the housing and coupled to the electric motor, a flexible element sealingly encapsulated in the elongated member, the flexible element defining a helical screw thread that engages the actuator, the helical screw thread having a core wire and a first helical spring disposed on the core wire, the first helical spring having a rectangular or a trapezoidal transverse profile, the helical screw thread having a second helical spring interwound with the first helical spring to define a pitch of the first helical spring;
• placing at least one laparoscopic cannula within the abdominal cavity;
• insufflating the abdominal cavity to create a pneumoperitoneum;
• placing at least two additional laparoscopic cannulae within the abdominal cavity;
• dissecting tissue surrounding the stomach to create a path for the gastric ring;
• introducing the gastric ring into the abdominal cavity;
• grasping the gastric ring with a tool placed through one of the cannulae;
• pulling the gastric ring into an encircling position around the stomach;
• and
• securing the gastric ring in the encircling position around the stomach.