# US 9,872,787 B2 · Bariatric device and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,787 B2 - Document ID: US9872787B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/965,617 - Filed: 2013-08-13 - Published: 2014-01-16 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-14 - Assignees: Bfkw, LLC - Applicants: Bfkw, LLC - Inventors: Randal S. Baker; James A. Foote; Paul R. Kemmeter; Frederick J. Walburn; Peter M. Wilson; Adam I. Lehman; Barry J. Smith; Robert J. Chappolini - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872787B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/0079: {Pyloric or esophageal obstructions} - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)} - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue} - A61B 17/0643: {with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple} - A61F 2/04: Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts (A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95) - A61F 5/0076: {preventing normal digestion, e.g. Bariatric or gastric sleeves} - A61F 5/0083: {Reducing the size of the stomach, e.g. gastroplasty (surgical interventions A61B17/00)} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/0404: {Buttons} - A61B 2017/0464: {for soft tissue} - A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks} - A61B 2017/0649: {Coils or spirals} - A61F 2002/045: {Stomach, intestines} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A bariatric device includes an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus and an anchoring technique anchoring the esophageal member to the portion of the esophagus. The bariatric device includes a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach and a connector connected with the esophageal member and the cardiac member to cause strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach. The strain applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach causes satiety in the absence of food. The connector is adapted to pass through the gastroesophageal junction while leaving a continuous portion of the gastroesophageal junction substantially unrestrained. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bariatric device for use with a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said bariatric device comprising: an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus of the recipient and an anchor system that is configured to resist distal migration of said esophageal member with respect to the portion of the esophagus of the recipient; a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient; and a connector connected with said esophageal member and said cardiac member that transmits force between the esophageal member and the cardiac member when implanted to cause strain to be applied by said cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach in the absence of food. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector comprises at least two spaced apart elongated members that are configured to pass through the gastroesophageal junction of the recipient. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said elongated members comprises a tension member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said at least two spaced apart elongated members comprises a wire covered with a silicone layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cardiac member is configured to be compressed during deployment and expanded after deployment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cardiac member comprises a through-opening that is adapted to be positioned at the gastroesophageal junction and a surface surrounding said through-opening that is adapted to apply strain to the cardiac portion of the stomach. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 1 that is substantially unrestricted to the passage of food through the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction of the recipient. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cardiac member is configured to not substantially engage the fundus of the stomach. ### Claim 9 A bariatric device for use with a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said bariatric device comprising: an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus of the recipient, said esophageal member having a surface configured to cause tissue attachment with a wall of the esophagus to resist distal migration of said esophageal member with respect to the portion of the esophagus of the recipient; a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient; and a connector connected with said esophageal member and said cardiac member that transmits force between the esophageal member and the cardiac member when implanted to cause strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach in the absence of food, said connector comprising a plurality of elongated members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said elongated members are configured to be positioned in the gastroesophageal junction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of elongated members are radially spaced apart from each other where connected with said esophageal member and said cardiac member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said elongated members comprises a tension member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one of said plurality of elongated members comprises flexible wire covered with a silicone layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cardiac member is adapted to be compressed during deployment and expanded after deployment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cardiac member comprises a through-opening that is adapted to be positioned at the gastroesophageal junction of the recipient and a surface surrounding said through-opening that is adapted to apply strain to the cardiac region of the stomach of the recipient. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 that is substantially unrestricted to the passage of food through the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction of the recipient. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cardiac member is configured to not substantially engage the fundus of the stomach. ### Claim 18 A bariatric device for use with a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said bariatric device comprising: an esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of a portion of the esophagus of the recipient, wherein said esophageal member comprises a wire cage and a flexible material over said cage; a cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient, wherein said cardiac member comprises a generally planar member, wherein said planar member is defined by a stiffening mesh and a flexible material over said mesh; a connector connected with said esophageal member and said cardiac member that transmits force between the esophageal member and the cardiac member when implanted, said connector comprises at least two elongated members that are configured to be positioned in the gastroesophageal junction of the recipient, said connector causing strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient in the absence of food; and an anchor system resisting distal migration of said cardiac member with respect to the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 including a through-opening in said planar member that is adapted to be positioned at the gastroesophageal junction of the recipient and a sealing flange surrounding said through-opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said mesh is formed by an elongated member in an open weave pattern. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said cage comprises an elongated member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 21 wherein said cage comprises an elongated member that is formed as an interwoven spiral. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 22 wherein said elongated member of said cage comprises Nitinol wire. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 22 including a cover over both ends of said esophageal member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said mesh is formed by an elongated member in an open weave pattern. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cage comprises an elongated member that is formed as an interwoven spiral. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said elongated member of said cage comprises a Nitinol wire. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 26 including a cover over opposite ends of said esophageal member. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of said at least two elongated members comprises a Nitinol wire and a coating over said Nitinol wire. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 that is substantially unrestricted to the passage of food through the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction of the recipient. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) The bariatric device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cardiac member is configured to not substantially engage the fundus of the stomach. ### Claim 32 A method of causing satiety in a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said method comprising: positioning an esophageal member in a portion of the esophagus of the recipient, said esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of the portion of the esophagus of the recipient; positioning a cardiac member at the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient, said cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient; said esophageal member connected with said cardiac member with a connector; and causing strain to be applied by said cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach in the absence of food including anchoring said esophageal member to the portion of the esophagus of the recipient to resist distal migration of said esophageal member with respect to the portion of the esophagus wherein said connector transmits force between the esophageal member and the cardiac member. ### Claim 33 A method of causing satiety in a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said method comprising: positioning an esophageal member in a portion of the esophagus of the recipient, said esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of the portion of the esophagus of the recipient; positioning a cardiac member at the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient, the cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient; said esophageal member and said cardiac member connected with a connector, said connector comprising a plurality of elongated members; and causing strain to be applied by said cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient in the absence of food including said esophageal member having a surface configured to cause tissue attachment with a wall of the esophagus of the recipient to resist distal migration of said esophageal member with respect to the portion of the esophagus wherein said connector transmits force between the esophageal member and the cardiac member. ### Claim 34 A method of causing satiety in a recipient having an esophagus, a stomach with a cardiac portion and a gastroesophageal junction between the esophagus and the stomach, said method comprising: positioning an esophageal member in a portion of the esophagus of the recipient, said esophageal member having an esophageal surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of the portion of the esophagus of the recipient, wherein said esophageal member comprises a wire cage and a generally flexible material over said cage; positioning a cardiac member at the cardiac portion of the recipient, said cardiac member having a cardiac surface that is configured to conform to the shape and size of at least a portion of the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient, wherein said cardiac member comprises a generally planar member, wherein said planar member is defined by a stiffening mesh and a flexible material over said mesh; said esophageal member and said cardiac member connected with a connector, said connector comprises at least two elongated members; and causing strain to be applied by the cardiac member to the cardiac portion of the stomach of the recipient in the absence of food including positioning the connector in the gastroesophageal junction of the recipient and anchoring at least one chosen from said esophageal member, said cardiac member and said connector to the recipient to resist distal migration of said cardiac member from the cardiac portion of the recipient.