# US 9,039,677 B2 · Apparatus for treating obesity by extracting food > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,677 B2 - Document ID: US9039677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/610,617 - Filed: 2012-09-11 - Published: 2013-01-03 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2002-11-04 - Assignees: Aspire Bariatrics, Inc. - Applicants: Samuel Klein; Stephen B. Solomon; Moshe Shike; Dean Kaman; Michael Ambrogi; David E. Altobelli; Eric Yeaton - Inventors: Samuel Klein; Stephen B. Solomon; Moshe Shike; Dean Kaman; Michael Ambrogi; David E. Altobelli; Eric Yeaton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039677B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/003: {inflatable} - A61F 5/004: {remotely adjustable} - A61F 5/0076: {preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves} - A61M 1/81: {Piston pumps, e.g. syringes} - A61M 1/82: {Membrane pumps, e.g. bulbs} - A61M 1/84: {Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips (for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32)} - A61M 27/002: {Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another (intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202)} - A61F 2002/044: {Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets} - A61J 15/0015: {Gastrostomy feeding-tubes (insertion tools or methods A61B17/34)} - A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values} - A61M 1/772: {operating alternately} - A61M 25/04: in the body, e.g. expansible {(A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence)} - A61M 2210/1053: Stomach - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. A tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for removing ingested food from a patient's stomach to facilitate weight loss comprising: a gastrostomy tube configured for aspirating said ingested food out of the patient's stomach comprising: a tubular sidewall comprising a length sufficient to span from the patient's stomach to the patient's abdomen; a lumen that is essentially coaxial with the length of the tubular sidewall; a distal end portion that is configured to be placed in the patient's stomach and comprises a plurality of holes in the tubular sidewall; a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient's abdomen and further configured to lie substantially flush with the patient's abdomen when the distal end portion is placed in the patient's stomach; and a first retention member that is attached to the proximal end portion of the gastrostomy tube, wherein the first retention member is configured to lie substantially flush with the outer surface of the patient's abdomen when the distal end portion is placed in the patient's stomach. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is attached to the tube via friction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is attached to the tube via interference. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first retention member is configured so that a position of the first retention member with respect to the gastrostomy tube is adjustable to accommodate a change in an amount of intervening tissue between the patient's stomach and the patient's abdomen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second retention member attached to the gastrostomy tube, wherein the second retention member is attached to an opposite side of the patient's abdominal wall from the first retention member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, the second retention member being inflatable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, the second retention member being non-inflatable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first retention member is configured so that a position of the first retention member with respect to the second retention member is adjustable to accommodate a change in an amount of intervening tissue between the patient's stomach and the patient's abdomen. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the distance between the second retention member and the first retention member is adjustable to accommodate a change in an amount of intervening tissue between the patient's stomach and the patient's abdomen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are located on the tubular sidewall in a spiral pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are about 5×7 mm in size. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are spaced about 1 to 1.5 cm apart. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the tube is at least 10 cm long. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump that is attachable or permanently attached to the tube for removing food from the upper digestive system of the patient. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pump periodically operates in a reverse direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tube further comprises a luer lock configured so that the pump is attachable or permanently attached to the tube's outer surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end portion of the tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve configured to permit removal of food from the stomach through the tube and to prevent matter from entering the stomach through the tube. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for removing ingested food from a patient's stomach to facilitate weight loss comprising: a gastrostomy tube configured for being placed through a patient's abdominal wall via the patient's mouth and esophagus, and further configured for aspirating said ingested food out of the patient's stomach comprising: a tubular sidewall comprising a length sufficient to span from the patient's stomach to the patient's abdomen; a lumen that is essentially coaxial with the length of the tubular sidewall; a distal end portion that is configured to be placed in the patient's stomach and comprises a plurality of holes in the tubular sidewall; a first retention member that is attached to the distal end portion of the gastrostomy tube; and a proximal end portion that is configured to pass through the patient's abdomen and further configured to lie substantially flush with the patient's abdomen when the distal end portion is placed in the patient's stomach; and a second retention member that is attached to the proximal end portion of the gastrostomy tube when the distal end portion is placed in the patient's stomach, the second retention member being configured to lie substantially flush with the outer surface of the patient's abdomen. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gastrostomy tube is configured to be placed endoscopically or radiologically. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the proximal end portion further comprises a cone-shaped tip. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cone-shaped tip is configured to be cut off after the gastrostomy tube has been placed through the patient's abdominal wall. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a wire at the tip of the cone-shaped tip. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gastrostomy tube comprises silicone. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the distal end portion is about 10 cm or longer. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first retention member is non-inflatable. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first retention member is inflatable. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising an inflation lumen that extends through the tubular sidewall. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27, the first retention member being capable of being variably inflated to create a feeling of satiety. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27, the first retention member being deformable in situ. ### Claim 31 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, the gastrostomy tube being braided with nylon. ### Claim 32 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, the gastrostomy tube being wrapped with wire material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second retention member is attached to the proximal end portion via interference. ### Claim 34 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second retention member is attached to the proximal end portion via friction. ### Claim 35 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the tubular sidewall comprises a diameter that is from 20 to 36 French.