Patent Grant
9561127
Bariatrics is the field of medicine encompassing the study of overweight, its causes, prevention and treatment. Bariatric surgery is a treatment for morbid obesity that involves alteration of a patient's digestive tract to encourage weight loss and to help maintain normal weight. Known bariatric surgery procedures include jejuno-ileal bypass, jejuno-colic shunt, biliopancreatic diversion, gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastroplasty, gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty, and silastic ring gastroplasty. A more complete history of bariatric surgery can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/422,987 Apparatus and Methods for Treatment of Morbid Obesity and also on the website of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery at http://www.asbs.org.
Medical sleeve devices for placement in a patient's stomach are described by Rockey in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,501,264, 4,641,653 and 4,763,653. The medical sleeve described in these patents are said to reduce the surface area available for absorption in the stomach, however it is not configured to effectively reduce the volume of the stomach nor will the device described isolate ingested food from stomach secretions. The medical sleeve is not configured to be deployed in a patient's small intestine.
Other sleeve devices for placement in a patient's intestines are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,405 (Smit), U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,509 (Smit), U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,300 (Berry), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,584 (Crabb). The sleeve devices described in these patents are said to be placed at the lower end of the stomach and therefore do not serve to isolate ingested food from the digestive secretions of the stomach. These sleeve devices are not configured to be deployed in a patient's stomach or to effectively reduce the volume of the patient's stomach or small intestine.
In U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0040804, Stack et al. describe a satiation device to aid in weight loss by controlling feelings of hunger. The patent application describes an antral tube that expands into the antrum of the stomach to create a feeling of satiation. The devices described are not configured to isolate ingested food and liquids from digestive secretions in the stomach or the intestines.
In U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0040808, Stack et al. describe a satiation device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. The prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.
In U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0093117, Sadaat describes an implantable artificial partition that includes a plurality of anchors adapted for intraluminal penetration into a wall of the gastro-intestinal lumen to prevent migration or dislodgement of the apparatus, and a partition, which may include a drawstring or a toroidal balloon, coupled to the plurality of anchors to provide a local reduction in the cross-sectional area of the gastro-intestinal lumen.
In U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0120265, Deem et al. describe various obesity treatment tools and methods for reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. The smaller pouches may be made using individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices applied directly from the interior of the stomach. A pyloroplasty procedure to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent and a gastric bypass procedure using atraumatic magnetic anastomosis devices are also described.
In U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0144708, Starkebaum describes methods and systems for treating patients suffering from eating disorders and obesity using electrical stimulation directly or indirectly to the pylorus of a patient to substantially close the pylorus lumen to inhibit emptying of the stomach.
The present invention also relates to apparatus and methods for performing gastric and esophageal surgery that can be applied using minimally invasive techniques for creating a stoma or restriction in a patient's stomach or esophagus. The apparatus and methods are useful for treatment of morbid obesity and for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Surgical treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease include fundoplasty and fundoplication, which can be performed using open surgical techniques or laparoscopic surgical techniques. These procedures create a valve-like structure at the gastroesophageal junction to prevent reflux of the stomach contents. Although methods have been proposed for performing fundoplication using peroral endoscopic techniques, these methods have not been widely adopted. Examples of instruments and methods for performing fundoplication can be found in the following patents: WO0185034 Devices and related methods for securing a tissue fold, U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,437 Flexible endoscopic surgical instrument for invagination and fundoplication.
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for treatment of obesity, and particularly morbid obesity. In particular, it relates to apparatus and methods that can be applied using minimally invasive techniques for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines and/or reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines
In keeping with the foregoing discussion, the present invention provides apparatus and methods that can be applied using minimally invasive techniques for treatment of obesity, and particularly morbid obesity. The apparatus takes the form of a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines (thereby stimulating intestinal responses).
In one aspect of the invention, the system may include an artificial stoma device located in the stomach or lower esophagus that can reduce the flow of food into the stomach (when located in the stomach) or back from the stomach into the esophagus (when located in the esophagus or at the gastroesophageal junction). Alternatively, the system may utilize a surgically created artificial stoma. Stomas that prevent flow of gastric contents into the esophagus can be used in the treatment of GERD. The stoma is introduced transesophageally and implanted under visualization with a flexible endoscope. The stoma may be anchored to the esophageal or stomach wall using sutures, staples or clips. Alternatively, the stoma may be anchored with a sutureless attachment that does not penetrate the esophageal or stomach wall. Optionally, multiple stomas can be installed, e.g. one for GERD and one for restriction of food passage. Optionally, the stoma may be used in conjunction with gastric suturing, stapling or banding to create a narrow passage for installation of the stoma and/or for reduction of gastric volume. The gastric stapling or banding may be applied using transesophageal or laparoscopic techniques. Optionally the stoma may be in multiple parts where the parts may be individually placed, replaced or exchanged. Optionally, the stoma may have an adjustable opening to vary the flow of food through the stoma and/or allow the passage of diagnostic or therapeutic devices such as endoscopes. The adjustable stoma may be adjusted at the time of implantation or it may be adjustable remotely after implantation without invasive procedures. Alternatively, the stoma may be a self-adjusting “smart stoma” that opens and/or closes in response to stomach conditions.
In another aspect, the system may include an internal gastric sleeve that may be used separately or used with, attached to or integrated with the artificial stoma component. The gastric sleeve may have a funnel-shaped entry with a reinforced anchoring segment or other anchoring mechanism for attachment in the stomach at or near the gastroesophageal junction. Optionally, the artificial stoma component may be positioned a clinically significant distance distal to the sleeve attachment. When placed in the stomach, the entry portion of the sleeve proximate to the stoma effectively reduces the volume of the stomach because the flow of solid food is limited to the lumen of the sleeve. When combined with a restrictive stoma, the sleeve functions as the pouch in a gastric bypass or vertical banded (or other) gastroplasty. The sleeve can be designed and placed to maximize the amount of stomach wall included by the sleeve opening and therefore included in the pouch thereby formed. This will enable a maximum number of stretch receptors and other stimulating mechanisms in the stomach to transmit satiety (fullness) signals to help reduce food intake.
The entire gastric sleeve or a portion of it can be porous or semipermeable to allow the flow of digestive secretions into the sleeve and to allow the flow of nutrients and/or fluids out through the wall of the gastric sleeve. Valves may be provided in the wall of the gastric sleeve to allow digestive secretions to enter the sleeve, but to prevent solid food and/or nutrients from flowing out through the wall of the sleeve. Alternatively, the entire gastric sleeve or a portion of it can be nonporous or impermeable to act as an internal gastric bypass. In certain embodiments, the wall of the gastric sleeve is flexible to allow the peristaltic motions of the stomach to effect movement of food through the gastric sleeve. The wall of the sleeve may be reinforced with rings or a spiral made of wire and/or plastic. Alternatively, the gastric sleeve may be attached to an artificial stoma component that includes its own anchoring mechanism. Optionally, the distal end of the gastric sleeve may be anchored in the region of the pylorus. Optionally the distal end of the gastric sleeve can incorporate an enlarged reservoir portion proximal to the pylorus. Optionally the sleeve can include coatings on its interior and/or exterior to enhance the surface properties of the sleeve in clinically relevant manners.
In conjunction with the stoma and/or gastric sleeve, the volume of the stomach can be reduced by suturing, stapling using open, transesophageal or laparoscopic techniques. Alternatively or in addition, a gastric balloon or other volume displacement device may be used in conjunction with the gastric sleeve to provide a feeling of satiety. These adjunctive techniques have the effect of further reducing nutrient intake (in the case of a stomach reduction and pouch formation upstream of a stoma) and enhancing the effect of peristaltic motions of the stomach for moving food through the gastric sleeve intake (in the case of a stomach reduction downstream of a stoma where there is a gastric sleeve). A gastric sleeve that extends beyond the pylorus, with or without an intestinal sleeve, can allow use of the pylorus as a natural stoma by configuring the sleeve to close by the pylorus and then open to allow passage of food when the muscles of the pylorus relax.
One advantage of using an internal gastric sleeve over prior art gastric volume reduction techniques is that volume reduction can be better defined in that the patient cannot deliberately or inadvertently increase the volume of the sleeve over time by overeating as occurs when the stomach wall stretches. Another advantage of an internal sleeve over prior art banding techniques is that stomach wall is not trapped between an external structure and ingested food whereby the stomach wall is subject to compression due to overeating.
In another aspect, the system may include an internal intestinal sleeve that may be used separately or used with, attached to or integrated with the internal gastric sleeve and/or artificial stoma component. The entire intestinal sleeve or a portion of it can be porous or semipermeable to allow the flow of digestive secretions into the sleeve and to allow the flow of nutrients and/or fluids out through the wall of the sleeve. Valves may be provided in the wall of the intestinal sleeve to allow digestive secretions to enter the sleeve, but to prevent solid food and/or nutrients from flowing out through the wall of the sleeve. Alternatively, the entire intestinal sleeve or a portion of it can be nonporous or impermeable to act as an internal intestinal bypass. In certain embodiments, the wall of the intestinal sleeve is flexible to allow the peristaltic motions of the intestinal wall to effect movement of food through the intestinal sleeve. The wall of the sleeve may be reinforced with rings or a spiral made of wire and/or plastic. Optionally these components can include radiopaque materials for visualization of the device when it is in the body. Optionally the sleeve can include coatings on its interior and/or exterior to enhance the surface properties of the sleeve in clinically relevant manners.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating a patient. The method includes the steps of providing a gastrointestinal sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and a length of at least about 50 cm. The sleeve is positioned with the proximal end adjacent an attachment site in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter, with the distal end extending transluminally at least as far as the jejunum. At least one plication is formed at the attachment site, and the sleeve is attached to the plication. Two or three or four of five or more plications may alternatively be formed, for direct or indirect attachment to the sleeve. The distal end of the sleeve may extend into the intestine at least as far as the ligament of Treitz. The providing step may comprise providing a sleeve having a substantially constant diameter throughout its length.
Optionally, the intestinal sleeve may have a proximal end with a reinforced anchoring segment or other anchoring mechanism for attachment in the region of the pylorus. Alternatively, the intestinal sleeve may be attached to or continuous with the internal gastric sleeve. Optionally, the distal end of the intestinal sleeve may include an anchoring mechanism.
Optionally, the above system components can include means of separately installing, replacing and/or removing single components. This would include means of reversibly attaching and connecting components. This would allow a therapeutic device to be assembled over multiple operations or in a single procedure. Alternatively, the above components can be preassembled with a specific combination of desired features for an individual patient and thereby installed and removed in a single operation. Preferably, each component of the system includes one or more radiopaque and/or sonoreflective markers for enhanced imaging by X-ray, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasonic imaging.
Certain implementations of the invention will achieve some or all of the following advantages:
1. Minimally invasive, peroral/transesophageal implantation, with optional surgical and/or laparoscopic assist
2. Customizable to each patient and revisable in-situ based upon the results of the intervention
3. Completely reversible using minimally invasive techniques
4. Lower morbidity, mortality
5. When used with a gastric and/or intestinal sleeve, does not allow an appreciable amount of digestion to occur until the food exits the sleeve into the intestine by keeping food separate from gastric and/or intestinal secretions. This delivers undigested food to the jejunum where a dumping syndrome reaction and/or other results of overstimulation of the intestine may occur depending upon the clinical situation and the food ingested.
The system optionally includes a biliopancreatic diverter tube for effectively reducing nutrient absorption in the small intestines by diverting the release of digestive salts and enzymes from the gallbladder and pancreas into the small intestine downstream in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a reduction in the location and the amount of intestine exposed to digestible nutrients, and thus reducing the digestion and absorption of fat and other sources of calories.
The system optionally includes a surgical fastener system for removably or reversibly attaching a surgical appliance within a hollow organ in a patient's body. The surgical fastener system can be configured for many different surgical applications within a patient's body. In many applications, it is desirable to removably or reversibly attach a surgical appliance within a hollow organ such that it can be removed or revised at a later date. Examples of applications where the surgical fastener system of the present invention can be used include: attachment of an artificial stoma device or gastrointestinal sleeve device within a patient's stomach or intestines for treatment of morbid obesity, attachment of a valve or restriction in a patient's esophagus for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, attachment of a filter device within a patient's vena cava for treatment of thromboembolic disease, and attachment of a valve or other device within a patient's aorta or urethra.
With these broader applications in mind, the surgical fastener system will be described in relation to a particular application for reversibly attaching a surgical appliance within a patient's stomach or esophagus for treatment of conditions including morbid obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Morbid obesity can be surgically treated by creating a restriction in a patient's stomach to limit the amount of food that can enter the stomach. Alternatively or in addition, the patient's stomach and/or intestines can be partially bypassed, for example using an internal gastrointestinal sleeve device, to reduce the amount of nutrients that are absorbed from the food as it passes through the gastrointestinal system. GERD can be treated by attachment of a valve or restriction in a patient's esophagus at the gastroseophageal junction to prevent food and digestive juices from refluxing into the esophagus.
Certain embodiments of the fastener system utilize folding or plication of the stomach and/or esophageal wall or other hollow organ to create a reinforced attachment point for the fasteners. Various devices and methods have been previously described utilizing fundoplication to create a restriction or a valve-like structure at the gastroesophageal junction for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. For example, see patents: U.S. Ser. No. 05/897,562, U.S. Ser. No. 06/312,437, US20020035370A1, WO00185034, WO00228289 and WO09922649, which are hereby incorporated by reference. By contrast, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the fastener system preferably attaches to the stomach or other hollow organ with a minimum of stress and deformation. One way of accomplishing this is by utilizing a multiplicity of independent fasteners attached around the inner periphery of the organ without causing any narrowing or restriction in the organ. Alternatively, the fastener system may utilize a continuous ring structure that is sized to fit closely with the inner diameter of the organ without significant deformation of the organ. In the alternative, when a stoma or restriction is desired at the point of attachment system, the fastener system and methods of the present invention can be modified to create a narrowing, restriction or a valve-like structure in the hollow organ simultaneously with providing a removable attachment for a surgical appliance or the like.
Alternatively or in addition, the system may optionally include a surgical instrument for creating a stoma or restriction in a patient's stomach or esophagus using minimally invasive surgical techniques. This apparatus can also be used to create a plication or fold in the stomach or esophagus and furthermore can then be used to attach other devices to the fold thereby created. In addition, the system may optionally include a stomal ring clip device implantable within the patient's stomach for forming and maintaining the stoma or restriction. The surgical instruments and the implantable stomal ring clip devices may be used separately or in combination depending on the needs of the individual patient. Methods are described using the surgical instruments and the implantable stomal ring clip devices separately and in combination for creating a stoma or restriction in a patient's stomach or esophagus. The apparatus and methods are useful for treatment of morbid obesity and can be combined with other surgical techniques or devices as part of a complete treatment regimen. The apparatus and methods are useful for treatment of GERD by creating a restriction or a valve-like structure at the gastroesophageal junction to prevent reflux of the stomach contents.
T-tag fasteners can be used to facilitate endoscopic attachment of the various components of the system to the tissues in or around the patient's gastrointestinal tract. In addition, T-pledgets can be used in situations where reinforcement of the tissue to be attached is desired. For example, such fasteners can be used for fastening a stoma device, a sleeve device or an attachment ring to the gastric wall. Optionally, the gastric wall may be folded into a single or double plication for attachment of the system components with the fasteners. Alternatively or in addition, where it is appropriate, laparoscopic assistance may be used for forming the plications or applying the fasteners. Expandable T-tags and T-pledgets and other structures to reduce tissue erosion are also described.
Apparatus and methods are described for performing an endoscopic gastropexy attachment procedure for anchoring the gastric wall to the patient's diaphragm to provide greater support for the components of the system. A component of the system, such as a stoma device, a sleeve device or an attachment ring, can be attached simultaneously or in a subsequent step with the gastropexy attachment. T-tag fasteners or the like can be used to facilitate gastropexy attachment procedure.
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treatment of obesity, and particularly morbid obesity. The apparatus takes the form of a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines and reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines. Each of the components can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, preferably using a transesophageal approach under visualization with a flexible endoscope. Optionally, laparoscopic surgical techniques may be used to assist in the implantation of the components and/or for adjunctive therapies in the digestive tract.
In the following, the word endoscope (and endoscopic) will refer to an instrument for visually examining the interior of a bodily canal or a hollow organ. For procedures performed via a peroral route, a flexible endoscope, such as a gastroscope, is generally preferred. The word laparoscope (laparoscopic) will refer to rigid endoscopes generally passed through surgically created portals. Also in the following the terms biodegradable and bioresorbable will be used interchangeably. Also in the following the term stoma will be used to refer to an opening formed in a hollow organ which may or may not be configured to restrict flow of food and/or digestive juices. Endoscopic overtube and orogastric tube sleeve are also used interchangeably.
In one aspect of the invention, the system may include an artificial stoma 100 located in the stomach or lower esophagus that can optionally reduce the flow of food into the stomach.
The artificial stoma 100 may include a fabric cuff on the outer circumference to facilitate ingrowth of tissue to secure the stoma device 100 in place. In-growth can be further facilitated by partial transection of the gastric wall through the mucosa. This will put the fabric cuff in contact with muscularis. Alternatively or in addition, a number of suture attachment points can be included on the outer circumference of the stoma device. The suture attachment points may take the form of suture attachment loops attached to the outer circumference of the stoma device or a ring with suture attachment holes formed in it.
In certain embodiments, the outer circumference of the stoma 100 is flexible and elastic with properties to minimize the resistance of the stoma 100 to motion of the stomach at the stomal attachment points. This also serves to minimize the forces that can lead to tissue erosion.
In an alternative embodiment, the artificial stoma device may include a separate anchoring device that may be in the form of an anchoring ring or a series of anchoring points for attachment to the gastric or esophageal wall.
Optionally, the stoma 100 may have an adjustable opening 110 to vary the flow of food through the stoma.
The adjustable stoma 100 may be formed as a cylinder that can be collapsed for insertion, and then expanded when in place. Preferably, the outer diameter will maintain a set, but somewhat elastic, diameter to facilitate fixation in the body. The outer circumference may be supported by a metal lattice 114 that is deformed permanently by the initial deployment. Possible materials for the metal lattice 114 include 304 and 316 stainless steel. Deployment can be by a coaxial balloon catheter.
In certain embodiments, the inner circumference of the adjustable stoma is supported by a metal lattice 116 made of a NiTi alloy where the deformation needed to deploy the device and set the size of the inner diameter can be reversed by the application of heat. Heat could be applied by a balloon catheter with circulating heated fluid, RF energy or other known means. The NiTi lattice 116 can then be expanded and deformed to the desired diameter by a balloon catheter inflated in the stoma aperture 110. Alternatively, the lattice 116 may be made of a material that is plastically deformable, such as stainless steel, to adjust the stoma aperture 110 larger using a dilator, such as an inflatable balloon.
In the example of
Any of the restrictive stoma devices described herein can be placed in the lower esophagus or near the GEJ to prevent reflux. Esophageal or anti-reflux stomas will preferably be configured to allow one-way flow and seal against or resist retrograde flow. This could be accomplished with a smart type stoma as described herein, preferably one that closes in response to gastric secretions, or a one-way valve, such as a duckbill or flap type valve.
In one embodiment, the stoma device 100 may be implanted and adjusted according to the following method:
Stoma Placement
1) place oral-gastric tube into the patient's stomach, the oral-gastric tube can optionally include a separable sleeve;
2) insert a guidewire through the oral-gastric tube into the stomach;
3) remove the oral-gastric tube, optionally, the sleeve may be left in place to protect the esophagus;
4) position the adjustable stoma over the balloon on a primary dilatation catheter;
5) insert the dilatation catheter and the adjustable stoma over the guidewire into the stomach;
6) inflate the balloon on the dilatation catheter to expand the adjustable stoma;
7) exchange the dilatation catheter and repeat if necessary to achieve the proper outer diameter;
8) suture or staple the stomach wall to approximate a gastric pouch, this can be done with open surgery, laparoscopically or, preferably, transesophageally;
9) reinflate the balloon on the dilatation catheter to grip the adjustable stoma;
10) withdraw the dilatation catheter until the adjustable stoma is positioned within the suture line in the desired stoma position;
11) secure the adjustable stoma in place and suture, staple and/or glue to seal the adjustable stoma to the gastric pouch;
12) withdraw the dilatation catheter;
13) insert the heat application means over the guidewire and position it within the stoma aperture;
14) apply heat to shrink the inner diameter of the adjustable stoma;
15) withdraw the heat application means;
16) if necessary, insert a dilatation catheter and inflate the balloon to dilate the stoma aperture to the desired diameter;
17) withdraw the dilatation catheter, guidewire and orogastric tube sleeve (if used)
This method can be modified for installation of a fixed diameter stoma device or a smart stoma device that does not require heating and/or dilatation to adjust the inner diameter of the stoma aperture. The method can also be modified for installation of a stoma device with a self-expanding metal lattice on the outer circumference, obviating the need for the primary dilatation catheter. The order of the method can also be modified, for example the pouch can be created first or the artificial stoma can be placed in a pre-existing pouch where the surgically created stoma has become enlarged. Other methods of attachment described herein may also be used for placement of a stoma device.
The adjustable stoma device may be initially implanted with the stoma aperture larger than clinically useful. This would allow food to pass easily through the stoma aperture and minimizes the stress on the attachment points for the stoma device and the sutures or staples forming the gastric pouch. This will allow the stomach wall to heal before the stoma aperture is reduced to a clinically significant diameter, which will naturally place more stress on the tissue and the attachment points.
Alternatively, the adjustable stoma 100 may be configured such that the inner diameter 110 is adjusted by inflation by transferring fluid from a reservoir into the annulus between the inner and outer circumference.
Stapling or suturing for placement of the adjustable stoma device 100 is preferably accomplished transesophageally with the use of a flexible endoscope. Sutures may be placed into the muscularis, through the muscularis and/or full thickness through the muscularis and serosa based upon the clinical situation. One method for accomplishing this involves the use of wire fasteners 130 that are formed with a “button” end 132 and a “twist tie” end 134, which are shown in
The delivery cannula 136, which may be configured with a torquable shaft with a fixed or variable curve 144 at the distal end, is used to deliver the wire fasteners 130 to the desired location. The distal end of the delivery cannula 136 is advanced until it contacts the stomach wall, then a pusher wire or the like is used to advance the wire fastener 130 through the delivery cannula 136, as shown in
In an alternate embodiment, the wire fasteners may be configured to have a “button” portion 132 on both ends of the wire. These fasteners can be deployed laparoscopically to penetrate both walls of the stomach with a “button” 132 placed on each side of the stomach to attach the walls together. Such fasteners can be combined with buttressing reinforcements such as pledgets made from Teflon, bovine or porcine tissue or other know materials. “T-tag” type fasteners could be applied to this use and type of application.
T-tag fasteners can be used to attach many of the structured described herein. A T-tag is basically a cross member or “T” that is attached to an elongated member or tail at or near the mid-point of the T. A “stem” may be a structure at the joining point of the T and tail. T-tag fasteners are generally configured to flex at the juncture of the T and tail to allow delivery along the axis of the T through a minimal puncture diameter. T-tag fasteners can be configured with an extended tail that may extend out the mouth and optionally be used to parachute devices for attachment into position in vivo. Other T-tag configurations can include, crimp, snap, screw or other means of securing the T-tag tail when appropriate. One embodiment of a T-tag fastener could include a dual tail. Such a dual tail could be combined with extended tails that could then be tied out side the body with the ensuing knots then tightened within the body. Such a dual tail could be constructed of one of a number of non-biodegradable suture materials known in the art including polypropylene, nylon, braided Dacron or silk. In some clinical situations biodegradable tails could be indicated and could be constructed using materials described herein.
For each subsequent T-tag fastener 918, the previously placed fastener(s) may be used to grip and invaginate the gastric wall. The fasteners may be used to assist in forming of a plication or in retracting and positioning the gastric wall for fastening another component, such as a stoma, sleeve or attachment ring. Similarly, other gripping means, such as vacuum, transmural hooks and the like, may be used to facilitate placement of fasteners to assist in forming of a plication or in retracting and positioning the gastric wall for fastening another component of the system.
An example of a method of use of one configuration (dual tail T-tag) of the structures described above when used to attach an attachment ring as in
1. Position endoscope overtube
2. Insert endoscope (2-channel) and, using grasper and T-tag delivery device, deploy a T-tag and position the T-tag tails externally (Repeat 6 times)
3. Pre-thread T-tag tails through an attachment ring matching each pair of the 2-tailed T-tags to capture a predetermined portion of the attachment ring material
4. Prepare to parachute the attachment ring through over tube and pass the ring through overtube.
5. Snug T-tag tails to position attachment ring and ready for final attachment
6. Using appropriate instruments partially tie the knots externally and advance the partial knots into position to be secured and trimmed (Repeat 6 times)
7. Remove all instrumentation
The final result is now illustrated as
Peroral extra-gastric buttress reinforcement—Buttresses are preferably placed in locations subject to forces to which there will be clinical benefit to distributing forces. The buttressing material is generally configured perpendicular to the axis of the attachment means (e.g. suture, rivet or staple) and therefore best distribute forces along the axis of the attachment means. When a device is attached to the intragastric wall such forces can be directed inward from the gastric wall. Therefore, if the buttress is attached to the intragastric wall, the buttress may not be along the axis best suited to resist the applied force.
Many of the apparatus and methods described herein use a plication to redirect these forces to allow intragastric buttresses to distribute these forces in a beneficial, i.e. more perpendicular, direction. Other apparatus and methods described use other structural means to distribute forces on the extragastric wall in which case inwardly directed forces would be in a beneficially perpendicular direction. The following describes an exemplary apparatus and method to embody and deliver extragastric buttresses.
Use of a curved needle to deliver a buttress that, in one configuration is a teflon pledget, to a location on the extra gastric wall from the inside of the stomach. This pledget would be captured in an invaginating (into the stomach) plication that could then be secured by sutures, staples, rivets et al. The buttress could be a tubular shapes segment of expanded teflon similar to a small diameter vascular graft. This could be delivered on the outside of a curved needle, which, upon withdrawal retrograde from the direction of delivery, would leave the pledget in position outside the stomach. The plication would be preferably secured prior to the removal of the needle. The buttresses could be delivered in a similar manner through the lumen of a hollow needle. In this case it may be preferred to partially withdraw the needle and deploy the buttress prior to securing the plication.
This system, as can others described herein, could use 4-10 or more primary fixations to resist tension and optionally use intermediate sutures, rivets, etc. if appropriate to resist leaks.
Fastener (T-tag) buttress (T-pledget) method and structure—An alternate method of delivering these buttresses would be using a T-fastener (T-tag) where the “T” portion was constructed of a material with properties that would be useful as a buttressing material. This would be a T-tag buttress or a T-tag pledget. Hereinafter T-pledget. These T-tags could be delivered through a hollow needle type delivery system (e.g. T-ANCHOR INTRODUCER GUN (Moss, Moss Tubes)) that has been redesigned/modified so it can be passed through the working channel of an endoscope. One advantage of the use of T-pledget is that a T-tag can be designed with an elongated tail that can extent out through the mouth and be used to parachute structures into place in-vivo. T-pledget tails could include preloaded needles. Needles could be curved or straight.
The suture, staple, rivet or other fastener used to secure the sleeve attachment ring or other device into place could, based upon the clinical situation, capture the pledget portion of the T-pledget to fix it in place in relation to the attachment means.
A method of use of one configuration of the T-pledget structures described above when used to attach an attachment ring could be as follows:
1. Position endoscope overtube
2. Insert endoscope (2-channel) and using grasper and T-pledget, deploy T-pledget and position tails externally
3. Pre-thread T-pledget tails through attachment ring
4. Prepare to parachute attachment ring through over tube and pass the ring through overtube
5. Snug T-pledget tails to position the ring and ready for final attachment
6. Using tails, guide the PLICATOR (NDO Surgical Inc.) into position and fire the PLICATOR to form a plication over the T-pledget
7. Trim tails and remove all instrumentation
The final result is now illustrated as
T-pledgets can be structured using a variety of means. A portion of standard Teflon pledget material can have a suture tied or otherwise attached, at or near its mid point. This can be structured or otherwise prepared for delivery by means such as rolling and/or compressing to facilitate passage through tissue with a minimum disruption of the tissue layer. Ideally the T-pledget would have a minimum diameter when passing through tissue. Depending upon the clinical situation varying deployed diameters/areas could be preferred. A hollow needle or other hollow tube can be used to facilitate passage through tissue. Structure and/or material selection to enhance axial rigidity along the axis of delivery will be beneficial is some clinical situations. A piercing point on the leading edge of the “T” may be useful with some deliver mechanisms.
Many of the features described above can be achieved with construction using a single piece of Polypropylene, Nylon, or other polymeric material well known in the art for use in construction sutures, which forms the “T” and tail as a single unit. Alternately 2 different materials can be combined, for example by insert molding, to achieve different properties of the “T” and tail. In another embodiment this could be combined with a “T” portion that is coated with a material selected for specific clinical properties such as encouraging or discouraging either in-growth or adhesion. The “T” portion may also be surrounded by another material such as Teflon pledget material or Dacron graft material. “T” diameter will vary according to the material used for example ranging from 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm in diameter for nylon or polypropylene with the typical “T” having a diameter of 1-2 mm. A tail could be the dimension of a standard suture and could generally vary from 5-0 to 0 (USP standard classification) though smaller or larger sizes may be appropriate in certain clinical situations.
In one configuration that could have advantages in certain clinical situations the “T” and/or tail portions of the T-pledget could be constructed in part or in toto of a biodegradable material as described herein. In one such configuration the “T” portion would be constructed of a flexible buttress material that is not biodegradable. In some embodiments this could have a tubular configuration. This would include a core of a more rigid material that is biodegradable. The tail in this situation could be optionally biodegradable. This combination T-pledget can have advantages in that its “T” portion will 1) have increased rigidity for insertion; 2) maintain its ridgidity during the time period while the tissue goes through its healing period and ideally until it regains its strength; and 3) become softer and more flexible to minimize the potential for erosion over the length of time the pledget is in position. Various buttress materials, both biodegradable and not, are described herein.
In an alternative embodiment a porous buttress material could be impregnated with a biodegradable material to achieve a similar result. Similarly a biodegradable material could coat a buttress material. The rigidity of both the permanent buttress material and the biodegradable material may be selected and modified to suit specific clinical situations. In some situations the biodegradable material may be of a lesser rigidity compared to the buttress material. Embodiments that include a biodegradable tail portion could have an advantage in certain clinical situations, as this would eliminate the tail as a focus for a leak after it has degraded. Bioresorbable materials such as polyglecaprone (Monocryl, Ethicon), polyglactin (Vycril, Ethicon) or other as well know in the art can be appropriate for use in these applications.
Bio-stable, solvent dissolvable pledget material—In other situations the pledget material could be made from a material that is stable in the body but could dissolve in the presence of a biocompatible solvent, or a biocompatible solution including a chemical or catalyst that will initiate the pledget's dissolution. This would allow simplified removal of the pledget material via lavage of the peritoneum if the stomach attachment means were to be released through an endoscopic procedure or were otherwise desirable based upon the clinical circumstances.
Dual attachment faces and T-tag or T-pledget extra-gastric buttress reinforcement—As illustrated in
As discussed herein, forces can be applied inwardly by devices attached to the intragastric wall. Other forces are applied to the gastric wall due to the natural muscular action of the gastric wall. These forces can serve to be applied in the plane of a gastric wall and, in this case, can serve to apply tension to separate a plication. Use of a T-pledget as an extragastric buttress in combination with a device that includes attachment faces that capture both sides of the plication as shown in
Dual attachment faces 926 can be integrated with the ring, or other attachment means, used to secure other devices, e.g. a sleeve, to the stomach or they could be separable to facilitate delivery, attachment and/or removal. If separate, the ring can optionally include structures such as holes or other guide means that would facilitate parachuting the device into position. These attachment faces can be made of materials that either encourage or discourage in-growth and/or epithelialization as dictated by the clinical situation. Dual attachment can also be used without extragastric buttressing.
Use of attachment face materials and buttress materials that discourage in-growth along with securing means that initiate minimal scar formation could enhance the reversibility of the procedure if and when the securing means were to be released and removed. Attachment faces, along with any structures attached to or incorporated within, could then be sloughed and passed naturally and/or removed via a transoral route as indicated by the device and the clinical situation. Use of an overtube to protect the esophagus during transoral removal of certain devices can be clinically indicated based upon the size and shape of the device being removed.
The concept of using attachment faces that capture both sides of a plication can be applied to other attachment means described herein. The concept of using one or more separable attachment faces as a means to capture other devices can optionally be applied to other attachment means described herein.
A method of use of one configuration of the structures described above could be as follows:
1. Position endoscope overtube
2. Insert endoscope (2-channel) and using grasper and T-pledget device, deploy T-pledget and position tails externally (Repeat 6 times)
3. Pre-thread T-pledget tails through attachment face material (and, if used, thread through separate sleeve ring)—Note that the tails are passed through the attachment face material at a location that will provide for an appropriate amount of attachment face material on either side of the plication as indicated by the clinical situation.
4. Prepare to parachute devices through over tube and pass device(s) through overtube
5. Snug T-pledget tails to position device(s) and ready for final attachment
6. Using tails, guide the PLICATOR (NDO Surgical Inc.) into position and fire the PLICATOR to form a plication over the T-pledget (Repeat 6 times)
7. Trim tails and remove all instrumentation
In an alternate example of the above-described method using a dual tail T-tag or a T-tag device with securing structure, step 6 can be replaced with tying or otherwise securing each T-tag as the final attachment.
In a similar manner to a T-pledget, a pledget can be delivered to the extragastric surface using an expanding tip configuration similar to a 2-wing Malecot catheter. The expandable Malecot tip would be detachable from its delivery cannula.
In this case the Malecot pledget could include:
1. a pointed distal tip for penetration through the gastric wall (note in some embodiments this tip may be dissolvable to reduce the potential for long term tissue irritation)
2. a suture-like tail attached to distal tip (to retract and expand the tip)
3. a method that would include applying tension to the suture tail to expand the tip after it has been positioned beyond the extragastric surface
4. a delivery cannula that can support the proximal portion of the pledget (support to translate suture retraction into pledget tip expansion)
Retraction of the delivery cannula/pusher would leave the expanded Malecot pledget on the extragastric surface.
In-line pledget (alternative to curved needle delivery)—In this case the pledget material would be in line and coaxial with the suture. The pledget would include at least one tapered end for passage through tissue and may be expandable over time (to allow a small hole or passage through the tissue and a greater buttress area). The needle on the end of the suture would be passed through the gastric wall twice (first inside-to-outside and then, approximately a pledget's length apart, outside-to-inside). This could be accomplished with laparoscopic assistance; a large radius curved needle or other means. The suture would be advanced until the pledget is in position and excess suture would be trimmed. The suture could be biodegradable.
T-tag 918 and T-pledget 920 embodiments designed for expandability—A T-tag or T-fastener can be used to provide knot free means to apply tension to a suture and an associated anatomic structure. A further advantage of a T-tag is that the forces applied to the suture tail of the “T” are distributed over a larger area than a single stitch. This is accomplished by using a “T” dimensioned with a width wider than the diameter of the suture and a length longer than a typical bite or stitch. A disadvantage of a T-tag is that insertion of a T-tag through tissue requires a hole many times, for example 5-15 times, the diameter of the suture tail.
To deliver an improved buttressing capability in a T-tag fastener or T-pledget with a minimum delivery hole it is beneficial to use a “T” or pledget designed to expand after delivery. This can be beneficial in many clinical situations. In addition to rolling or compressing, alternate structures can include materials that expand when exposed to water such as hydrogels.
To resist bending perpendicular to the axis of the suture, it may be beneficial to use metals, for example Ti, SS or NiTi. In some clinical situations, encapsulating or coating the metal with a fluoropolymer or other coatings as described herein may also be beneficial.
T-tag with inflammatory reaction or other additives—The pledget material could be optionally coated or impregnated with materials and/or medicaments as described herein. For example the pledget can be coated with a material that would enhance inflammation and scar formation. Alternatively, a coating or medicament that would either encourage or discourage in-growth can be applied.
In some clinical situations it may be beneficial to use both these types of coatings. For example, though inflammation can lead to scarring fibrosis and ultimately strengthen tissue, the inflammatory process initially results in tissue weakening that can include tissue liquefaction. Therefore, it can be desirable that a fastener that induces an inflammatory response for long term strength also include means to support the tissue during the weakened stage.
Inflammatory reaction materials would be limited to a portion of the T-tag or T-pledget as the inflammatory response weakens tissue before the scarring fibrosis occurs. Therefore, for example, having the area at the center of the T or pledget with this inflammatory material and the ends of the “T” without this material could have an optimized balance of short term and long term strength.
Drug-eluting coatings may be used to encourage or discourage tissue ingrowth into the fasteners or other device attachment mechanisms described herein. A low inflammatory response is generally desirable for encouraging tissue ingrowth. Anti-inflammatory drugs that may be used include steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. prednisone, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), e.g. chromalin. Conversely, drugs that may be used to control or reduce tissue ingrowth include Taxol (paclitaxel) (Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Sirolimus (rapamycin) (Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories).
Embodiments designed for improved erosion resistance—The purpose of the “T” in a T-fastener is to distribute and resist the forces that could act to pull it through tissue, in this case the gastric wall. To better achieve this result the “T” should resist bending. Though a T-fastener is generally held parallel to the surface of the extragastric wall, at the ends of the “T” the gastric wall extends outward from the plane of the surface and the axis of the “T”. In this case, the gastric wall could be at a 90-degree angle, or greater, to the ends of the “T”. To reduce the potential for erosion at the end of the “T” in some clinical situations it could be beneficial for the ends of the “T” to have increased flexibility which will result in a reduction of the angle between the gastric wall and the ends of the “T”. This would reduce the forces between the “T” and the gastric wall and therefore reduce the potential for erosion at the ends. Structures that could accomplish this could include tapered thickness or cross section to reduce the bending moment. Alternatively or in addition, changes in material properties such as hardness, bending modulus and/or elongation can accomplish the same result. For example the “T” near the stem could be of a material of a durometer such as Shore 65D or higher the material may change as one moves out along the arms of the “T” transitioning through 55D/100 A to 90 A durometer or lower. Rounding, smoothing and structures that otherwise distribute forces over a larger area will also serve to reduce erosion at the ends of the “T”. A circular shaped “T” may be particularly desirable to reduce erosion.
Another method of intragastric stapling utilizes a pair of vacuum or mechanical graspers to capture the tissue to be joined, for example the stomach wall. The graspers approximate the tissue and present it to a stapling mechanism. Once the tissue has been presented to the stapling mechanism, a number of methods may be used:
1) a staple or clip may be applied to join the tissue together;
2) a precurved wire fastener, which may be constructed of a NiTi alloy or other material, may pierce the tissue on one side and then pierce the tissue on the other side as it curls to capture both;
3) a curved needle with attached suture can be passed through the tissue using known endoscopic suturing techniques.
These two methods (vacuum approximation and NiTi buttons) can also be combined.
Intra gastric stapling can be facilitated by external manipulation in a combined endoscopic/laparoscopic approach. Internal endoscopic manipulation can be combined with external laparoscopic stapling or external manipulation can be combined with internal endoscopic manipulation. Laparoscopic techniques can also be used inside the stomach.
In an alternative embodiment, the stoma may be a self-adjusting “smart stoma” that opens and/or closes in response to stomach conditions.
In another embodiment shown in
Alternatively, the artificial stoma may be anchored with a sutureless attachment that does not penetrate the esophageal or stomach wall. Sutureless attachment mechanisms may be used in conjunction with any of the stoma configurations discussed herein.
In one embodiment, the sutureless attachment mechanism 172 may be configured as an expandable wire stent that expands against the stomach or esophageal wall to hold the stoma device 170 in place. Preferably, the expandable wire stent is surrounded by an elastomeric membrane or the like to prevent leakage of liquids or food past the stoma device 170. The surface of the membrane may be treated to encourage tissue ingrowth to permanently anchor the stoma device 170 in place. Alternatively, or in addition, the sutureless attachment mechanism 172 may include hooks or barbs that pierce the tissue for additional anchoring. Such hooks or barbs may have an undeployed position in which they lie against the device and a deployed position in which they rotate or extend outward to grip the tissue. The stomach wall should be positioned such that the attachment mechanism 172 will grip the stomach wall when it is actuated.
In an alternative embodiment, the stoma device 170 may be configured to have a reversible sutureless attachment mechanism 172 for temporary implantation of the device. A reversible sutureless attachment mechanism 172 may have two modes of attachment, a temporary mode and a permanent mode. Thus, a stoma device 170 can be implanted in a patient's stomach for a trial period using the temporary attachment mode. After the trial period, if the therapy has been ineffective or if the implant was not well tolerated by the patient, the stoma device 170 can be removed. On the other hand, if the therapy has been effective and the implant is well tolerated by the patient, the stoma device 170 can be permanently attached by actuating the permanent attachment mode or simply leaving the implant in place to allow permanent attachment and tissue ingrowth to take place.
Preferably, the stoma device is constructed with radiopaque and/or sonoreflective materials and/or includes one or more radiopaque and/or sonoreflective markers for enhanced imaging by X-ray, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasonic imaging so that the position and functional state of the implanted stoma device can be verified noninvasively in addition to endoscopic direct visualization.
In another aspect, the system may include an internal gastric sleeve 200 that may be used separately or used with, attached to or integrated with the artificial stoma component 100.
Pyloric anchors can be fixed to a predetermined location on the sleeve or be mobile. For example, a pyloric anchor could be slidable and slid into place before it is fixed to a structure on the sleeve. Structures for anchor fixation could include reinforcement and/or structures such as snaps, loops and/or holes to facilitate attachment of the anchor to the sleeve. Slidable or other structures that allow positing of an anchor can be used to set the distance between the attachment of the sleeve near the GEJ and the support or strain relief provided by the anchor at the pylorus. This distance can be set prior to placement of the device, based upon fluoroscopic or other measurements or in vivo. If the distance is set in vivo, structure could be provided to allow fixation using commercially available tools such as ENDOCINCH (Bard), ENDOSCOPIC SUTURING DEVICE (Wilson-Cook Medical) or PLICATOR (NDO Surgical Inc.) or an endoscopic grasper. Alternately, a structure that requires a special attachment device, such as the riveters described herein could be used.
In some clinical situations it could be beneficial to have an anchor designed to allow motion. This could include some means to bias the anchor to return to a predetermined location relative to a set position on the sleeve. This could be accomplished by incorporation of a spring, elastomeric structure or other such biasing structure.
The proximal (food entry) opening of the gastric sleeve is dimensioned to correspond to the opening of the esophagus, pouch outlet or artificial stoma. The outlet of the esophagus is generally free of restrictions to food passage while pouch outlets and stomas which are in some cases configured to restrict the passage of food. These outlets or stoma are generally less than 10-40 mm in diameter and, if restricted, are typically 15 mm or less. This distal end of the sleeve is reinforced and/or configured for attachment to the gastric wall, surgical or artificial stoma opening. This opening for attachment is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the restricted opening. Past the attachment to the opening the sleeve itself is typically 20-40 mm in diameter with a smooth transition from the opening diameter to the main diameter. If the sleeve continues past the pylorus, at the pylorus this diameter may remain the same, or may reduce to a smaller diameter on the order of 10-20 mm. The sleeve should not be in sealing contact with the stomach wall or the pylorus to allow free passage of gastric secretions along the outside of the sleeve as described herein.
In certain embodiments, the wall of the gastric sleeve 200 is flexible to allow the peristaltic motions of the stomach to effect movement of food through the gastric sleeve 200. For example, blow molded 90 A durometer polyurethane of a wall thickness on the order of 0.005″ will work in this manner. Other suitable materials for construction of the gastric sleeve device 200 can include fluoropolymers, silicone and polyurethane. Some fluoropolymers can be thermoformed (e.g. PFA and FEP) while others such as PTFE can be expanded in a similar manner to the formation of a vascular graft as well known in that art. Silicone (e.g. Dow Silastic or similar material from Nusil Technologies) or polyurethane (e.g. Dow Pellethane) can be dip molded or cast. Polyurethane can also be blow molded. In some embodiments the wall of the sleeve may be reinforced with rings or a spiral made of wire and/or plastic to hold the sleeve open.
The interior and exterior of the sleeve can optionally be coated with a low friction material as described herein (e.g. a hydrogel) to reduce friction of food passage (interior) and reduce gastric irritation (exterior). The interior of the sleeve can optionally include flexible prongs angled toward the direction of food flow to act as artificial cilia and resist food moving retrograde along the sleeve, as shown in
In conjunction with the gastric sleeve 200, the volume of the stomach can be reduced by suturing, stapling or banding using open, transesophageal or laparoscopic techniques. In the example shown in
Alternatively or in addition, a gastric balloon or other volume displacement device may be used in conjunction with the gastric sleeve to provide a feeling of satiety.
Preferably, portions of the gastric sleeve are constructed with radiopaque and/or sonoreflective materials and/or includes one or more radiopaque and/or sonoreflective markers for enhanced imaging by X-ray, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasonic imaging so that the position and functional state of the implanted gastric sleeve can be verified noninvasively. However, the sleeve should not be completely radiopaque to allow visualization of the passage of ingested radioopaque contrast as in a “swallow” study.
In another aspect, the system may include an internal intestinal sleeve 300 that may be used separately or used with, attached to or integrated with the internal gastric sleeve 200 and artificial stoma component 100.
The intestinal sleeve diameter can be 10-40 mm, but it is typically 15-30 mm with an optional smaller diameter at the point the sleeve passes through the pylorus (if the sleeve passes through the pylorus). The diameter of the sleeve is optionally selected to be smaller that the diameter of the intestine. The sleeve should not be in permanent sealing contact with the intestinal wall or the pylorus if it is intended to control or allow passage of gastric, biliary, pancreatic and intestinal secretions along the outside of the sleeve.
Optionally, the intestinal sleeve 300 may have a proximal end with a reinforced anchoring segment or other anchoring mechanism for attachment in the region of the pylorus or the proximal end of the intestinal sleeve 300 may be attached to a stoma device or surgically created stoma at the outlet of a reduced stomach. Alternatively, the intestinal sleeve 300 may be attached to or continuous with the internal gastric sleeve 200. Optionally, the distal end of the intestinal sleeve 300 may include an anchoring mechanism.
The intestinal sleeve 300 is typically approximately 60-180 cm in length, whereby partially digested or undigested nutrients exit from the sleeve into the jejunum where they can elicit a hormonal, neural and/or osmotic reaction in the jejunum and/or ileum. However, sleeve length can be either shorter or longer depending on clinical needs. Increasing the length of the sleeve can increase the degree of response in the ileum while reducing the length of the sleeve can have the opposite effect.
In relation to the example of the placement of a stoma 100 implanted into a surgically formed pouch described above, the gastric sleeve 200 and/or intestinal sleeve 300 may be implanted according to the following method:
Sleeve Placement
At any point in the procedure for stoma implantation described above, preferably prior to suturing of the gastric pouch (step 8), a gastric and/or intestinal sleeve device may be placed in the stomach and/or intestines. The distal end of the intestinal sleeve is placed endoscopically approximately 100 cm distal to the pylorus (for an intestinal sleeve with a nominal length to be 100 cm past the pylorus as defined by the relative position of the end of the gastric sleeve 200). The proximal end of the sleeve is attached, then the gastric pouch is sutured or stapled and the stoma placement procedure is resumed at step 9. Alternatively, the gastric and/or intestinal sleeve device may be placed after a pouch is formed and the stoma is placed, provided the stoma opening is sufficiently large to allow passage and manipulation of the sleeve and visualization apparatus. In the case of an intestinal sleeve, the proximal end would optionally be attached at the outlet of the stomach or at the pylorus. In the case of a gastric sleeve or combined gastric and intestinal sleeve, the proximal end would preferably be attached to a stoma device or surgically created stoma. Alternatively, the sleeve can be attached to the stomach or esophageal wall. In situations where it is desirable for the distal end of the sleeve to be placed further than 100 cm distal to the pylorus, or as an alternative means of placement, the sleeve will be inserted in a collapsed configuration through the pylorus and restrained in the collapsed configuration by a bioabsorbable/dissolvable means and passed through the intestines by the normal peristaltic action of the intestine. Optionally a balloon, ring or other means of increasing the coupling of the peristaltic action to the sleeve may be attached at the distal end of the sleeve. This is similar to the use of peristaltic action for passage of a Baker, or other long intestinal, tube as know in the art. Rings and/or other means of increasing the coupling of the peristaltic action may be placed at other locations along the length of the intestinal sleeve if clinically appropriate. In some clinical situations a method of use whereby the resiliency of the peristalsis rings can be selected to allow the intestines to use the rings in the manner of a ladder. In this case the intestine essentially crawls up the sleeve and takes on a pleated bellows like configuration. This can have the result of effectively lengthening the sleeve as food would now exit the sleeve at a more distal location within the intestine.
In an alternative method, the gastric and/or intestinal sleeve device may be used with a stoma device placed using standard surgical techniques, with a surgically created stoma, with surgical gastric banding or it may be used alone with no stoma device at all.
Preferably, portions of the intestinal sleeve are constructed with radiopaque and/or sonoreflective materials and/or includes one or more radiopaque and/or sonoreflective markers for enhanced imaging by X-ray, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasonic imaging so that the position and functional state of the implanted intestinal sleeve can be verified noninvasively. However, the sleeve should not be completely radiopaque to allow visualization of the passage of ingested radioopaque contrast as in a “swallow” study.
In summary, one aspect of the invention provides a method and system for treatment of morbid obesity that has three components, an artificial stoma device, an internal gastric sleeve and an internal intestinal sleeve, which can be used separately or in combination. The artificial stoma device is implanted into a patient's stomach or lower esophagus and then can optionally be used to restrict food intake. The artificial stoma device may have a fixed aperture, an adjustable aperture or an aperture that varies in response to changing stomach conditions. The artificial stoma device may be implanted using sutures, staples, a reinforced anchoring segment, a sutureless or other attachment mechanism as described herein. A restriction can optionally be placed within the lumen of the gastric sleeve. The internal gastric sleeve may be separate from or integrated with the artificial stoma device. The internal gastric sleeve effectively reduces the patient's gastric volume and restricts the absorption of nutrients and calories from the food that passes through the stomach. The internal intestinal sleeve may be separate from or integrated with the internal gastric sleeve and/or the artificial stoma device. The wall of the internal gastric sleeve and/or internal intestinal sleeve may be constructed with reinforcing rings or a spiral reinforcement. The wall of the internal gastric sleeve and/or internal intestinal sleeve may have openings or valves to allow or restrict the digestive secretions and nutrients through the wall of the sleeve. Along with these components, the treatment system may also include an attachment system that uses wire fasteners for performing a gastrostomy and a stent for supporting a bile/pancreatic channel in the patient's small intestine.
The method provided by this invention has the capacity to combine these various components, as well as other components described herein, into a system that treats obesity by creating a pouch with an outlet restriction which can be optionally controlled or operable, placing means by which the food exiting the pouch is transferred via gastric and intestinal sleeves to a point in the intestine while being substantially isolated from (or allowed to contact a controlled amount) gastric, biliary, pancreatic and intestinal secretions, whereby this location in the intestine can be optionally selected to induce various reactions of the intestinal tissue which may include dumping syndrome, hormonal secretion and/or nervous stimulation.
In contrast to previous devices, the present inventors have found that in many cases an effective gastrointestinal sleeve device will preferably have the characteristics of each section of the device tailored to the function of the section of the gastrointestinal tract in which it resides. For example, in some clinical situations a potential issue with gastric pouch or sleeve systems could be a lack of physiological signals causing opening of the pylorus. If the pylorus were to remain tightly closed over a sleeve passing through, it could be problematic for the patient. In these clinical situations, one desirable characteristic of an effective gastrointestinal sleeve device could be for it to have sufficient volume and/or compliance in the area of the stomach immediately upstream of the pylorus to create enough pressure or wall tension in that area to trigger the opening of the pylorus to empty the stomach contents.
In addition, when normal functioning of the pylorus is clinically desired, the section of the sleeve device that passes through the pylorus must have enough wall flexibility or compliance to allow normal opening and closing of the pylorus and to allow drainage of stomach secretions around the outside of the sleeve. For example blow molded 90 A durometer polyurethane of a wall thickness on the order of 0.005″ or less will work in this manner. Other sections of the gastrointestinal sleeve device will also be tailored to the section of the gastrointestinal tract in which it resides.
The configuration of the gastrointestinal sleeve device enables a method of treatment for morbid obesity that includes isolating ingested food from the digestive secretions of the stomach and intestines as the food passes through the stomach, the duodenum and the upper part of the jejunum.
The proximal opening 402 of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 is primarily designed to facilitate attachment of the sleeve within the patient's stomach. Depending on the clinical needs of the individual patient and the judgement of the physician, locations for attachment of the proximal opening 402 of the sleeve may include the gastroesophageal junction and the cardia or cardiofundal border. The gastroesophageal junction is advantageous as a possible attachment site because the tissue wall is relatively thick at this location and it is relatively easy to access via a per oral route. Attachment at the gastroesophageal junction excludes all gastric secretions from the interior of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400. The cardiofundal border is also advantageous as a possible attachment site because it provides the ability to create a gastric pouch from the cardia of the stomach and the tissue wall is relatively thick at this location compared to the fundus. Attachment at the cardia or cardiofundal border allows the secretions of the cardia, which are primarily lubricious mucous, to enter the interior of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 and excludes the fundal secretions, which are high in acid content, from the interior of the sleeve. The lubricious mucous secretions from the cardia will help to lubricate the interior surface of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 and will facilitate passage of ingested food through the sleeve.
By way of example, the embodiment of
Attachment of the proximal opening 402 of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 within the stomach can be accomplished using open, laparoscopic or endoscopic surgical techniques e.g. sutures, wires or staples or using any of the attachment methods described herein. Attachment is preferably optimized to distribute stress over an enlarged area and minimize stress or strain transmitted to the tissue where it is attached in order to minimize tissue erosion. During ingestion of food, the sleeve and the attachment must withstand the pressure created by swallowing as the food is forced into the sleeve. This is particularly true if there is a restriction downstream of the proximal sleeve opening. The sleeve and the attachment must also withstand any tensile forces created as a result of swallowing food and the presence of any food or liquid within the sleeve or pouch, as well as forces due to peristaltic action of the intestines or stomach.
In one embodiment shown in
The anchor ring 422, shown in
In one example of the fixation system 430 shown in
In one method, the anchor ring 422 would be implanted and allowed to heal before another device, such as the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400, would be attached to it. After sufficient healing has taken place, the device could be attached to the anchor ring at areas where ingrowth did not occur, as shown in
In another example of an alternate embodiment the sleeve of
The anchor ring and the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 can be left in place permanently. Alternatively, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 can be removed at a later date and replaced or revised. If and when it is desirable to remove the anchor ring, one or more or areas with no ingrowth can be used as access to sever or cut the ring. Since the ring exterior resists ingrowth and is nonadherent, it can be pulled out of the tissue without damaging the tissue. After removal of the anchor ring, the tunnel through the tissue formed by the encapsulation can heal.
As an alternative to a biodegradable material, a nondegradable scaffold material can be used. These materials become incorporated into tissue and are often made of naturally occurring or biological components, such as processed bovine tissue.
In general, the proximal end of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 may be secured in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter or z-line, using a stoma device 432 having any of a variety of configurations including those illustrated in
Referring to
In a modification of the anchor support 421 (see
Referring to
The attachment described in
Downstream of the proximal opening 402, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 has sleeve portions 404, 406 that reside in the fundus and the antrum of the stomach, respectively. In the example of
The example illustrated in
The sleeve 400 may be attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction, such as by attachment to a ring or cuff or directly attached to the cardia of the stomach adjacent the gastroesophageal junction. Attachment may be accomplished in any of a variety of ways including those disclosed elsewhere herein, such as “T” fasteners including T tags such as illustrated in
The sleeve 400 may comprise a homogenous material throughout. At least the gastric section may comprise a sufficient length to extend through the gastroesophageal junction, past the pylorus and into the duodenum. Materials such as a blow molded polyurethane, having a wall thickness of approximately 0.005″ and a durometer of about 90 A may be used. The sleeve 400 may additionally be provided with a lubricious coating on one or more of the interior and exterior surfaces. Diameters on the order of about 2.0 cm, ±50% or more may be utilized. Other dimensions and materials may be optimized by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
The intestinal section of the sleeve 400 is dimensioned to start in the duodenum and extend at least about 50, often about 75 or 100 cm or more, to imitate a gastric bypass. The intestinal section of the sleeve 400 may be the same diameter as the gastric portion of the sleeve, or may be no more than about 90% or 80% or less of the diameter of the gastric sleeve portion. Delivery and retrieval techniques for the implementation of the invention illustrated in
The function of the sleeve portion 404 located in the zone of the fundus is to transmit food through the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400. Accordingly, this portion of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 may be configured to resist kinking and provide a lubricious inner surface. Saliva and mucous secreted in the esophagus and/or cardia could facilitate passage of food. The zone of the fundus and/or the area of the cardiofundal border could be a possible location for a restriction if one is used. Location of the restriction is clinically relevant in that the volume between the restriction and the gastroesophageal junction effectively defines a restricted stomach volume.
The antrum of the stomach has muscular action to grind food and this muscular action can manifest as peristalsis. Based upon clinical requirements, the sleeve portion 406 in the antral zone could include stiffening members 410 or other means to prevent motion and/or kinking of the sleeve. The stiffening members 410, which may be made of a metal and/or polymer, may be oriented axially, as shown in
In an alternate construction illustrated in
Downstream of the antrum portion 406, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 may optionally include a pyloric anchor 414 at the upstream end 408 of the pylorus, as shown in
An anchor placed in the antrum can also be used as a platform to support devices placed in the stomach. For example, combining such an anchor located in the antrum with the reinforced sleeve or coaxial balloon as described herein can be used to support an attachment ring and reduce the forces transmitted to the attachment at the stomach wall. Structures that are not a part of the gastric sleeve such as self-expanding wire meshes of NiTi or stainless steel could also be used where clinically indicated. Antral support structures could also be independent, as a sleeve anchor and could optionally be used to support other devices as described herein.
In certain embodiments, the sleeve is configured to open and to collapse as it passes through the pylorus to facilitate internal passage of food and external passage of gastric secretions and to minimize irritation and/or damage to the pylorus. Additionally, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 may optionally narrow slightly in diameter as it passes through the pylorus so that it facilitates passage of gastric secretions along the exterior of the sleeve through the pylorus when it is opened. This diameter may be on the order of 0.75-2.5 cm. The pylorus section 412 of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 must have enough wall flexibility or compliance to allow normal opening and closing of the pylorus and to avoid irritation of the pylorus. For example blow molded 90 A durometer polyurethane of a wall thickness on the order of 0.005″ or less will work in this manner. With this configuration one can optionally use the pylorus as a natural stoma by allowing the sleeve to be closed by the pylorus and then opened to allow passage of food when the muscles of the pylorus relax.
Conversely, in some patients it may be desirable to hold open the pylorus. In such cases where the device is configured for holding open the pylorus, it should also include means of draining gastric secretions, e.g. tubes or channels, along the exterior of the sleeve.
A collapsible or collapsed tubular gastrointestinal sleeve device can allow gastric and intestinal secretions to pass along its outer surface. Spiral reinforcing can facilitate passage of the secretions if the sleeve between the reinforcing is configured to form channels where secretions can flow between the reinforced sleeve and the wall of the intestine or pylorus with which it may be in contact. This could be of particular use in the pylorus where food in the sleeve could be competing with gastric secretions to pass through the pylorus outside the sleeve. In the case of a flaccid sleeve, whichever of the food or secretions has the higher pressure would pass through the pylorus. In the case of a spiral reinforced sleeve with channels or other means (e.g. tubular lumens passing through the pylorus and with openings both proximal and distal to the pylorus) of enabling passage of secretions along the pylorus, the food and secretions could pass at the same time.
The gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 continues below the pylorus and passes through the duodenum and into the jejunum. The duodenum portion 416 and the jejunum portion 418 may have a total length of approximately 50-200 cm, depending on the clinical needs of the individual patient and the judgement of the physician. Shorter lengths may be used if it is desirable for the sleeve to empty into the duodenum or proximal jejunum. Longer lengths can be used if it is desirable to have the sleeve empty in the distal jejunum or ileum. In certain embodiments, the sleeve 400 may be configured with a length of 100 cm as this is a standard length of the roux limb in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A sleeve 400 with a length of approximately 500 cm or more can be used to perform a nonsurgical biliopancreatic diversion for achieving results similar to a Scopinaro procedure. In one configuration, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 has an approximately constant diameter of approximately 0.75-2.5 cm through the duodenum portion 416 and the jejunum portion 418. This diameter is less than the internal diameter of the small intestine through these sections to allow free flow of gastric, biliary, pancreatic and intestinal secretions along the outside of the sleeve. This diameter can be optimized for individual patients where a smaller diameter may be tolerated better and a larger diameter may be superior regarding the passage of food. Collapsibility may allow use of larger diameter sleeves, while sleeves of smaller diameter and greater resilience may be clinically indicated to minimize irritation.
Past the pylorus and past the duodenum, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 may include means to couple peristaltic muscular action of the intestine and use it to apply antegrade tension to the sleeve. One or more rings 420 in the sleeve may provide this coupling. The rings 420 may include a metallic spring to return the ring to its circular shape if collapsed by either the installation procedure or by peristaltic action of the intestine. The rings 420 may be positioned in the jejunum, as the duodenum exhibits little or no peristalsis. Alternatively, the exterior of the sleeve may be configured with small bumps or other features to provide a small amount of friction for coupling with the peristaltic muscular action of the intestine. A balance can be struck between friction and lubricity on the exterior of the sleeve. There should be enough friction so that peristalsis will act to straighten the sleeve and apply a small amount of tension to keep it in place. Too much friction, however, will allow the intestinal wall to “climb” up the exterior of the sleeve due to peristalsis, which would generally not be desirable. For example, this balance can be achieved using a smooth polyurethane sleeve with PHOTOLINK LUBRICIOUS COATING (Surmodics Inc.) or other**. However, in some clinical situations it may be desirable to achieve this end result. This can be achieved by using rings or other means of mechanically coupling the sleeve with the intestinal peristaltic action. In this case the intestine essentially crawls up the sleeve and takes on a pleated bellows like configuration. This can have the result of effectively lengthening the sleeve, as food would now exit the sleeve at a more distal location within the intestine.
It may be desirable in some clinical circumstances to provide a temporary peristalsis coupling that can straighten the sleeve for a period of time after insertion and not couple with the peristaltic action after this period. This will tend to reduce the climbing of the intestine and can allow any previous change in the position of the intestine to return to normal. This can be accomplished by using a biodegradable coupling means such as a dissolvable peristalsis ring or a high friction coating that comes off, leaving a lubricious surface. A balloon that detaches or deflates could be another means of accomplishing this end. For example, the balloons and other features in
Optionally, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400, along some or all of its length, may be configured by means of controlled wall thickness or reinforcing so that, if the sleeve is folded or kinked, open channels 442 will be maintained, as shown in
Alternatively, the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400, along some or all of its length, may include axial channels 444, as shown in
In one embodiment of the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400, the gastric and intestinal portions of the sleeve are constructed to be normally collapsed to a somewhat flattened configuration when in a rest position, such as is shown in
The gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 is generally impermeable along its entire length to isolate ingested food from digestive secretions. However, it may be desirable to have the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 having semipermeable or controlled permeability properties along some or all of its length to allow absorption of certain nutrients at the appropriate location in the stomach or intestine in order to avoid malabsorption complications while still limiting caloric absorption. For example, in the duodenal portion it would be beneficial to allow Iron and B-12 to exit the sleeve so that it can be absorbed through the intestinal wall.
When the pylorus is used as a natural stoma to control food flow, an electrical stimulation system can optionally be used to control the opening and closing of the pylorus. This system could include one or more electrodes for stimulating the pylorus, a stimulator (including power source and controlling electronics) and one or more optional sensing electrodes.
In summary, the present invention provides a gastrointestinal sleeve device which allows separation of ingested foods and liquids from digestive secretions through the stomach and past the duodenum and optionally into the jejunum or ileum. This is of particular significance because gastric acids are neutralized by bile and duodenal secretions. This prevents digestion from gastric acid taking place even if the food and gastric secretions are allowed to mix at a later point in the intestines.
The proximal end of the embodiment of
In addition to the two embodiments shown, other configurations may be necessitated by anatomical variations.
In an alternative embodiment, the device 520 could have a dual lumen aligned coaxially, so that an inner lumen would collect bile salts from the proximal tip 524, perhaps tapered so that only the inner lumen's proximal orifice is exposed at the proximal tip, and the outer lumen would collect pancreatic juices from the array of inlet ports 526 or single inlet port. Alternatively, the device 520 could have a dual lumen aligned side-by-side, or in some other arrangement.
Alternatively, the proximal tip 524 of the device could be placed within the pancreatic duct, and the array of inlet ports 526 or single inlet port would collect bile salts.
The portion of the device in the intestine may be semipermeable, allowing certain materials from the intestine to pass into the tube, such as acids. Alternatively, the portion of the device in the intestine may only allow certain materials from inside the device to permeate out, such as bases to neutralize stomach acids. It should be noted that the duodenum also excretes bases to neutralize stomach acids.
The lumen of the diverter tube is preferably of a diameter to allow flow of bile and pancreatic secretions the tube. Optionally, the diverter tube may be constructed with flexible walls to allow peristaltic motions of the intestinal wall to effect movement of bile and pancreatic juices through the diverter tube.
The interior and/or exterior of the diverter tube can optionally be formed from a relatively inert material such as a polyolefin (e.g. polyethelene) or a fluoropolyment (e.g FEP or PFA) or coated with a low friction material (e.g. a hydrogel) to reduce friction of bile and pancreatic juices (interior) and reduce native luminal irritation (exterior).
The interior of the diverter tube can optionally include a coating to resist crystallizing and/or deposition of bile and pancreatic secretions which could obstruct flow through the tube.
The wall of the diverter tube may be reinforced with rings or a spiral made of wire and/or plastic. Optionally the diverter tube can include means for stabilization at the distal end such as a brush (as described by Berry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,300), weight, or inflatable balloon.
Optionally, laparoscopic or open surgical techniques may be used to assist in or complete the implantation of the device.
The proximal end of the device may be anchored in place with a variety of means. One means of anchoring the device is with an annular stop member 542, as shown, that may be inflated to make contact with the surrounding walls of the duct. Other means for anchoring an embodiment of the biliopancreatic diverter tube include integrating a self-expanding stent-type anchor on the proximal end of the device. Such a stent may be coated with a dissolving material to delay expansion of the stent portion of the device until it is properly seated. Alternatively, a balloon expandable stent-type anchor may be used, or the proximal end of the device may be barbed or toggled, or the tube itself could be self-expanding, or the proximal end may be formed with a pigtail curve, or the proximal end could be manufactured of a material that swells up with moisture, for example a hydrogel, hydromer or other materials as described herein. In addition, the outer surface of the proximal end of the device may be covered with a fabric to facilitate ingrowth of tissue to secure the device in place. Some of these attachment means will require the proximal tip of the device to be placed in the gallbladder while others will attach within the bile duct. Stent-type anchors can also be configured for use as inlet ports to allow entry of pancreatic secretions into the tube.
Once anchored in place, the distal end of the device may be deployed from the endoscope. The endoscope could be pushed downstream within the small intestine as an embodiment of the biliopancreatic diverter tube is pushed out of the distal end of the endoscope. Alternatively, the endoscope could remain stationary, or even be retracted as an embodiment of the biliopancreatic diverter tube is pushed out the distal end of the endoscope, allowing peristalsis to then carry the distal end of the device downstream.
Typically, the device will be 50-510 cm in length and have an inner diameter of 1.0-7.5 mm. The device could be made from a silicone, polyurethane, polyethylene or a fluoropolymer such as PFA. Device coatings could include hydrogels such as PVP (polyvinylpyrolidone or other coating such as parylene as described herein. Stent-type retention components could be stainless steel or NiTi.
Preferably, the diverter tube is constructed with radiopaque and/or sonoreflective materials and/or includes one or more radiopaque and/or sonoreflective markers for enhanced imaging by X-ray, fluoroscopy and/or ultrasonic imaging so that the position and functional state of the implanted intestinal sleeve can be verified noninvasively.
The biliopancreatic diverter tube 500 is an alternative to dividing intestine as described in
The biliopancreatic diverter tube is intended for use in conjunction with other surgical and/or interventional procedures for a combined treatment, for example using any of the devices and methods for treatment of morbid obesity described herein.
In one aspect, the invention describes a number of fastener systems that can be used in situations where it is desirable to replace a portion of the fastening system, and any device or devices held in place by the fastener, while other portions of the system remain in place.
In particular, these systems are useful in attaching devices to the inside of hollow organs such as the stomach. Though these fastening systems generally consist of two or three components at each attachment point, various components can be combined or connected. Some of the fastener systems can be applied to attachment ring systems and stomal ring clip systems as described herein.
An example of a method of use that may be used with any embodiment of the fastener system of the present invention as described herein, the fastener or fasteners may be implanted into the stomach or another hollow organ and allowed to heal for a period of days or weeks. After sufficient healing time, a surgical appliance, such as a gastrointestinal sleeve device, may be installed by attaching it to the fastener system. Alternatively, the surgical appliance may be installed at the same time as the implantation of the fasteners. In another exemplary method, a first surgical appliance, such as a gastrointestinal sleeve device, may be initially installed (either immediately or after a period of healing as described above.) Subsequently, the first surgical appliance may be removed and, if desired, replaced with a second surgical appliance. For example, a first gastrointestinal sleeve device with an initial stoma size may be replaced with a second gastrointestinal sleeve device with a larger or smaller stoma size. This could be used to modify the treatment regimen as the patient gradually becomes accustomed to consuming less food or it may be used to modify a treatment regiment to obtain better effective weight loss. Alternatively, gastrointestinal sleeve devices with incrementally larger restrictive stoma sizes may be installed at the end of a successful treatment regimen to wean the patient back to normal dietary guidelines for maintaining the weight loss.
The fastener system of the present invention may also be used for attachment and subsequent removal or replacement of a valve or restriction at the gastroesophageal junction for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the alternative, the fastener system may be used in other hollow organs for attachment and subsequent removal or replacement of other surgical appliances, as described above.
Although
The individual fastener segments 602 of
One skilled in the art can envision a corresponding insertion tool, which will temporarily deform the annular ring 610 or other attachment surface of the device 606 to allow facilitated passage of the device 606 over the grasping fingers 604 of
In an alternative embodiment, the fastener system shown in
The embodiment shown in
The embodiment shown in
The use of plications (folds) is often useful in overcoming the difficulties of coupling a fastener device to a hollow walled organ because the folds give the added strength of a double layer attachment point, and also protect against leaks because the hole passes from the inside of the organ and back to the inside of the organ. Another advantage is that the outermost wall of the gastrointestinal tract, the serosa, appears to heal well because when it is in contact with itself, such as within a fold, it tends to heal together. This will further serve to prevent leaks by sealing the channel formed by the placement of the fastener through the fold. Plications can be formed by a fastener system or can be formed by standard techniques such as sutures with a fastener attached either to the suture or directly to the plication after it is formed. Alternately, plications can be formed and fasteners inserted that the fasteners pass through the muscularis layer of the gastrointestinal wall but do not pass through the serosa. This may be clinically preferred as a means to prevent leaks as the serosa provides a sealing layer. This also applies to the fasteners shown in
The clip 655 may be designed so that it is normally closed or normally open. If the clip 655 is designed normally open, it will need to be compressed and remain compressed. Therefore, the clip 655 is preferably made of a deformable or malleable material, such as an annealed metal, that can be deformed by the application tool 656 such that the clip will retain the deformed position. The tool 656 used to compress the clip transmits force to close the clip 655, using for example, a wire or rod that is optimized to transmit a push force to compress the clip. However, if the clip 655 is designed to be normally closed, it is preferable that the clip 655 be made of an elastic material that can be opened up, and then close on its own or with the assistance of a plication tool 656. The plication tool 656 would need to be able to hold a clip 655 that is normally closed in the open position, and should be designed to do such a task with an appropriately designed clip. The normally closed clip 655 may be preferred in some circumstances because it easier to hold tension in a tool and then release it than to transmit force through a tool. The normally closed clip 655 will be easier to pass into the body when closed and mechanisms to open the clip in vivo can be accomplished using pull wire actuators as well known in the art.
The toggle 662 helps to distribute forces that hold the fastener 660 in place over the length of the toggle 662, and also prevents the fastener 660 from being pulled through the hole. Alternative to the toggle 662, a similar functioning apparatus such as a multi-arm umbrella could also be used to distribute forces on the adjacent tissues while preventing the fastener 660 from passing through the hole. This fastener functions similarly to the T-tag fasteners described herein.
In summary the fastener system can include:
an implantable surface for mounting a functional element that may attach to the tissue itself with a suture, staple, clip, T-tag or pass through one or more layers of tissue including a fold of tissue.
The fastener system, optionally including:
an interface element, and
a functional element, wherein the interface element couples the implantable surface for mounting a functional element to the functional element.
The fastener system, optionally including:
a functional element, wherein the functional element couples to the implantable surface for mounting a functional element.
The fastener system, optionally including:
a plication tool for folding a tissue wall such that the tissue wall is pinched and pulled toward the tool and the interior of a body organ, and
an implantable surface for mounting a functional element delivered by the plication tool for maintaining the fold, and that also provides a platform for attachment of another element.
The fastener system, optionally including:
a removal tool that can be used to remove a functional element by, for example, unhooking it, cutting it, turning it, unlocking it.
A method for positioning the fastener system and using it can include:
attaching an implantable surface for mounting a functional element that may attach to the tissue itself with a suture, staple, clip, T-tag or pass through a fold of tissue,
optionally attaching one or more interface elements to interface between the implantable surface for mounting a functional element and a removable functional element, and
attaching a removable functional element that attaches either to implantable surface for mounting a functional element itself, or to the interface element.
A method for removing the functional element can include:
using a removal tool to remove the functional element by, for example, unhooking it, cutting it, turning it, unlocking it.
In the case of an attachment ring the ring does not necessarily create a restriction. In many embodiments, a second element generally creates a restriction using a restricting device (for example stoma 100). The restriction may or may not be co-located with the attachment ring. In the case of the stomal ring clip (SCR) the ring clip creates the restriction by positioning natural tissue to create the restriction. Therefore they differ in that the SRC: 1) preferably uses tissue to create the restriction and 2) always has the restriction at its location. This is the case even where a sleeve is passed through the stoma created by an SRC. Please note that many apparatus (including fastening systems) can be applied to either use and some could be applied interchangeably. Please also note that the structures described as an SRC can generally be used as components of an attachment ring system in which case the restriction is not necessarily collocated.
One aspect of present invention provides apparatus and methods for performing gastric and esophageal surgery. The apparatus of the invention includes a surgical instrument for creating a stoma or restriction in a patient's stomach or esophagus using minimally invasive surgical techniques. This apparatus can also be used to create a plication or fold in the stomach or esophagus and furthermore can then be used to attach other devices including those described herein, to the fold thereby created. The apparatus can also include stomal ring clip devices implantable within the patient's stomach for forming and maintaining the stoma or restriction. The surgical instruments and the implantable stomal ring clip devices may be used separately or in combination depending on the needs of the individual patient. Methods are described using the surgical instruments and the implantable stomal ring clip devices separately and in combination for creating a stoma or restriction in a patient's stomach or esophagus. The apparatus and methods are useful for treatment of morbid obesity and can be combined with other surgical techniques or devices as part of a complete treatment regimen. The apparatus and methods are useful for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by creating a restriction or a valve-like structure at the gastroesophageal junction to prevent reflux of the stomach contents.
The fasteners 710 may take one of several possible forms. The fasteners 710 may be in the form of double-ended rivets with an expandable head on the leading and trailing ends, as shown in
The fasteners 710 can be permanent or biodegradable. The fasteners 710 may be constructed of a biocompatible metal or polymer or a combination or composite thereof. Alternatively, the entire fastener 710 or a portion of it may be constructed of a bioresorable material. Additionally, the fasteners 710 can include enhanced scar forming means such as a coating of lower that normal pH or a material such as polyglactin (Vycril, Ethicon).
The articulated arm 706 section of the device can be configured to capture varying sizes of tissue folds, with some embodiments enabling capture of folds of greater dimension than the width of the device. This may involve use of curvilinear, bendable and/or multiple articulated arms 106. In another embodiment the rivet lumen exit can be angled to cooperate with a larger articulating arm 706 to capture a larger fold of tissue.
The surgical instrument 700 is preferably configured for performing surgery on the stomach or esophagus via a peroral endoscopic approach. As such, the flexible elongated body 702 may be sized and configured to fit through the instrument channel of a gastroscope or to fit through the patient's esophagus alongside a gastroscope. Otherwise, the flexible elongated body 702 may be configured with a lumen or channel to accept a gastroscope or other endoscope or imaging device through the surgical instrument 700. Alternatively, the surgical instrument 700 may be reversibly attached to or integrated with a gastroscope or imaging device.
In one method of application, the ring 742 of the stomal ring clip device 740 is rolled or folded and passed into the patient's stomach through the patient's esophagus or through a sleeve temporarily placed in the esophagus to protect the esophagus or through the instrument channel of an endoscope or surgical instrument 700. The ring 742 is then allowed to return to its flat state within the patient's stomach, as shown in
The device is then used to plicate additional stomach tissues and insert fasteners 710 as described before, perhaps moving to the opposite lobe rather than to an adjacent lobe on the stomal ring clip 742, to create a uniform stoma.
The upper ring 742 and the lower ring 744 optionally have a plurality of preformed holes sized to accept the plurality of fasteners 746. In one embodiment, the plurality of fasteners 746 are in the form of rivets or similar fasteners that are deliverable using the surgical instrument 700 of
In a variation of the method for placing a single ring, a lower ring 744 may be passed into the patient's stomach prior to the upper ring 742. A surgical instrument, which may be inserted laparoscopically, holds the lower ring 744 from below, while another instrument, inserted endoscopically, holds the upper ring 742. The stomach wall is plicated or invaginated between the upper ring 742 and the lower ring 744 and the fasteners 746 are driven through both rings, effectively sandwiching a fold of the stomach wall tissue between the two rings.
These apparatus and methods can be combined with other surgical techniques or devices described above as part of a complete treatment regimen for treatment of morbid obesity. By way of example,
An added benefit of the device of
The devices may be positioned as follows, after the stoma is created (as previously discussed), a sleeve device is then passed through the mouth and into the stomach (as previously discussed for a stomal ring clip), and then the distal portion of the sleeve device is passed through the stoma and preferably past the pylorus and duodenum and the distal end is carried downstream within the GI tract (either pushed or via peristalsis), and the proximal end is eventually left to sit atop the stoma. The sleeve can be dimensioned, as described herein, to locate the restriction to food flow at the stomal ring clip or at some other more distal location. In other embodiments the sleeve diameter will not create the restriction and the restriction will use the pylorus as a natural restriction or the restriction will be created at the stoma ring clip. For additional security, the proximal end may be attached to the stoma by some means, perhaps clicking into place on a stomal ring clip designed to accept the proximal end of a sleeve device, sutured into place or attached using one of the other structures described herein.
The straight piercing section 796 of the rivet cap wire 788 pierces the plicated tissue, as shown in
The construction of the surgical fastener 780 allows it to be removed if it is desired to reverse or revise the surgical procedure.
The attachment device and fasteners described in
Some configurations of attachment rings, such as the one illustrated in
A leak shield may be used with any of the gastrointestinal sleeve devices described herein to help assure an adequate seal between the sleeve and the stomach wall at the proximal end of the device. The leak shield may be a separate component or it may be integral to the gastrointestinal sleeve device or to the attachment device.
The double plication illustrated in
In a related aspect of an embodiment that could be clinically preferred, one should consider that when suturing or otherwise securing an attachment ring or other device in place it is beneficial to reduce the pressure transmitted to the tissue. This has been discussed previously related to the use of force distributing pledgets, fastener structures and rivet end caps. These previously discussed structures and methods relate to reducing pressure along the axis of the fastener system. The double plication addresses pressures that are perpendicular or radial to the axis of the fastener. Increased fastener diameter would serve to reduce pressures in this direction however one can imagine that this would eventually have diminishing returns, as the area of tissue available to resist these forces would eventually be reduced below an optimum level. With single and double plications and a fastener system that uses thin wires or sutures approximately between 0.2 and 0.5 mm in diameter or less, a simple method and structure to reduce pressure would be use of an increased fastener density. In particular, use of paired parallel fasteners is well suited to this end. One method would apply a single continuous suture or wire that passed through all layers to be fastened and then secured at one point. Of course two separate sutures or wires could then be secured to each other on either side of the layers to be attached. Alternately, the two separate sutures or wires could be secured by, and/or to, a common end cap. A pair of thin rivets could also use a common end cap to achieve this end.
In another aspect the embodiment of
In an additional aspect of the method of using the attachment ring shown 820 in
Optionally, magnets can be used to facilitate alignment of the attachment ring device 820 and the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400. One or more magnets would be positioned in the attachment ring device 820 and an equal number of magnets, arranged with opposite poles facing, would be positioned in the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400, When the attachment ring device 820 and the gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 are moved into proximity with one another, the magnets cause the two components to align automatically. The magnets will also help to create and maintain a seal between the two components.
The structures and methods associated with
The pyloric/duodenal introducer 850 has a tubular body 844 with an introducer lumen 846 sized to pass through the gastrointestinal sleeve device. The tubular body 844 has a length sufficient to reach past the patient's pylorus into the duodenum via a peroral route. In certain embodiments, the tubular body 844 has a slit flowering distal end 848 for atraumatic crossing of the pylorus. An optional distal infusion lumen 842 parallels the introducer lumen 846 and allows infusion of fluids near the distal end of the introducer 850. For example, the introducer can be used as described in step 10g of the method outlined below.
The gastrointestinal sleeve device 400 in
Attachment devices and fasteners are described in
The following outline gives a more detailed description of one example of a method for delivering and deploying an embodiment of a gastrointestinal sleeve device. This procedure assumes a specific device configuration. Many other device configurations are possible and therefore some aspects of this procedure may have to be modified to accommodate other configurations. Device details are as follows:
In an alternate embodiment, all or part of the sleeve device could be constructed from a biodegradable polymer as described herein. This would obviate the need for removal of the sleeve device at the end of the treatment period. Material selection and/or selective coatings of the exterior of the biodegradable sleeve could control the rate of dissolution/degradation of the sleeve in the presence of the differing chemical environments found at different locations along the alimentary tract. For example a Parylene coating in the sleeve in the stomach, pylorus and duodenum could inhibit the effects of the stomach acids. This would be less of an issue after these acids mix with the basic secretions of bile in the duodenum an beyond in the jejunum.
Morbid obesity endoscopic transgastric diaphragmatic attachment, a.k.a. Gastropexy attachment, and apparatus are described for attaching devices and/or securing tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction and cardia of the stomach. The method and apparatus allow attachment to include securing the tissue and/or device to the diaphragm and/or connecting the diaphragm to the esophagus via a peroral endoscopic approach. Attaching tissue to the diaphragm is common in Nissen fundoplication surgery using conventional methods.
A fastener or other attachment structure can be passed through the gastric wall and through the diaphragm while manipulating surrounding tissue, including the esophagus and the lungs, to avoid damage to these tissues.
The embodiment of
A standard flexible endoscope may be used with the distraction means, securing means and optional transillumination means being incorporated into a device that can be removably attached to the endoscope. Alternatively, these features can be incorporated into a combined endoscope device.
Various types of fasteners, including those described elsewhere in this specification, can be used in this method. T-type or other expanding-head or deployable fasteners are preferable. Fasteners can include features that allow: 1) placement of the fastener, 2) removal of the delivery/deployment device, 3) positioning or actuation of a fastener attachment means, and 4) if necessary, removal of excess material from the fastener.
After delivery/deployment of the distal T of the fastener 918 in the safe zone above the diaphragm, the delivery/deployment device 916 can then be removed. An attachment means can be advanced into position over the proximal tail of the fastener 918, which extends through the endoscope 911. The fastener attachment means can screw, crimp, snap or otherwise attach to the attachment zone of the fastener. An additional device may or may not be required for delivering and attaching the fastener attachment means, depending on the attachment mechanism utilized. Excess material, including the proximal tail, can then be cut otherwise detached and removed.
The method of use could involve the steps of: 1) advancing the distal tip of the endoscope into contact with the gastric wall, 2) continuing to advance the endoscope until the gastric wall contacts the diaphragm, 3) manipulating the endoscope to visualize the transillumination means, and 4) actuating the fastener. The method may also involve the use of stay sutures to preposition a device for attachment. These stay sutures could be used optionally to parachute the device into position through the esophagus.
One possible method for gastropexy attachment would be performed as follows:
1. Position endoscope overtube
2. Attach gastropexy protector (GP) to exterior of endoscopy and attach required accessories (suction, light source, inflation syringe). Calibrate delivery device advancement stop.
3. Insert endoscope (1-channel) with mounted GP
4. Turn on transillumination (TI) light to transmit light through an optical fiber, or bundle.
5. Position scope so GP is positioned just above the diaphragm. Position scope for T-tag gastropexy. View TI light to assist in positioning.
6. Apply suction to esophagus
7. Inflate GP protection balloon
8. Confirm scope position with TI light and advance T-tag deployment device with its integrated tissue protector to the gastric wall. Continue advancing device until exterior of the gastric wall contacts the diaphragm
9. Reconfirm scope position with TI light, retract tissue protector, pass T-tag delivery cannula through the diaphragm until the advancing stop is reached and using T-tag device, deploy T-tag in safe zone above diaphragm
10. Retract T-tag deployment device out through diaphragm
11. Release vacuum
12. Deflate balloon
13. Remove scope and position tails externally
a. Repeat steps 5-13 6 times
14. Pre-thread T-tag tails sleeve ring
15. Prepare to parachute sleeve ring through over tube and pass sleeve ring through overtube.
16. Snug T-tag tails to position device(s) and ready for final attachment
17. Using tails, guide the T-tag securement caps (crimp, snap or screw) into position and secure in place (Repeat 6 times)
18. Trim tails and remove all instrumentation
Optionally, the gastropexy apparatus may also include a delivery device tip protector. The delivery device tip protector can be a removable obturator that is coaxial with an exemplary hollow needle introducer. The obdurator is removed after the delivery cannula is in place and replaced with a T-tag deployment mechanism and its associated T-tag(s)
Additionally, the gastropexy apparatus may include a delivery device advancement stop. The stop can be a structure that can be adjustably fixed to a position on the proximal portion of the T-tag delivery device that is connected to and thereby controls the position of the degree to which the T-tag delivery cannula extends from the distal end of the endoscope. This could be a collar with a thumbscrew lock
Description of the calibration of the advancement stop procedure—Attach the GP to the endoscope; bend the endoscope so that the distal tip of the scope aligns with the transillumination light; extend the T-tag delivery cannula until it is a set distance from the transillumination light (on the order of 0.25″ or 6 mm); position advancement stop against the working channel proximal port; then secure advancement stop. Confirm calibration of advancement stop by straightening and re-bending the scope then adjusting the position of the stop if necessary.
While the present invention has been described herein with respect to the exemplary embodiments and the best mode for practicing the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, improvements and subcombinations of the various embodiments, adaptations and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/698,148, filed on Oct. 31, 2003, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) as a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/422,987, filed on Nov. 1, 2002, for Apparatus and Methods for Treatment of Morbid Obesity; 60/430,857, filed on Dec. 3, 2002, for Biliopancreatic Diverter Tube for Treatment of Morbid Obesity; 60/437,513, filed on Dec. 30, 2002, for Apparatus and Methods for Gastric Surgery, 60/448,817, filed on Feb. 21, 2003, for Surgical Fastener System and Method for Attachment within a Hollow Organ, and 60/480,485, filed on Jun. 21, 2003 for Gastrointestinal Sleeve Device and Method of Use; and 60/428,483, filed on Nov. 22, 2002, for Gastroplasty Clamp. These aforementioned applications as well as all other patents and patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20150366693 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60422987 | Nov 2002 | US | |
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| 60437513 | Dec 2002 | US | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10698148 | Oct 2003 | US |
| Child | 14738597 | US |
