Methods for facilitating weight loss

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for facilitating weight loss in a patient. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of locally administering a botulinum toxin to a stomach tissue of an obese patient, and deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient.

Description

DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show the general diagram of the stomach; the longitudinal and circular muscular fibers of the stomach, viewed from above and in front; and the oblique muscular fibers of the stomach, viewed from above and in front, respectively.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of an administration of a neurotoxin at a site where the gastric band contacts the stomach, and in the vicinity of the site where the gastric band contacts the stomach.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the torso of a patient showing the placement of trocars for the introduction of a laparoscopic gastric band.

FIG. 4 shows the insertion of a modified flexible endoscope into the upper abdomen.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the flexible endoscope with a light on the tip to facilitate dissection along the lesser curvature of the stomach.

FIG. 6 shows forceps inserted through the lumen of the endoscope prior to grasping the tail end of a gastric band.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the gastric band being held for adjustment of the stoma size during the calibration procedure.

FIG. 8 shows the gastric band in position around the stomach with an injection port passing underneath the liver and threaded into the space within the rectus sheath for implantation.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating weight loss, the method comprising the steps of: (a) administering a botulinum toxin to a stomach tissue of a patient; and(b) deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient, thereby facilitating weight loss by the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of administering is administering locally.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered locally at a site or in a vicinity of the site where the gastric band contacts the stomach.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered locally to an upper part of the stomach.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered orally.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of administering the botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle of the stomach prior to the step of deploying the gastric band around the stomach.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (c) tightening or loosening the gastric band around the stomach.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of administering the botulinum toxin relaxes a muscle of the stomach prior to the step of tightening or loosening of the gastric band.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxins types A, B, C1, D, E, F and G.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin type A.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is an obese patient.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the stomach tissue is a stomach smooth muscle.

13. A method for treating obesity, the method comprising the steps of: (a) administering a botulinum toxin type A to a muscle of a stomach of an obese patient; and(b) deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient, thereby treating the obesity.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of: (c) tightening or loosening the gastric band around the stomach in conjunction with a prior injection of botulinum toxin locally to the stomach muscle tissue.

15. A method for securing a gastric band in place around the stomach, the method comprising the steps of: (a) locally administering a botulinum toxin to a stomach at a site or in a vicinity of a site where the gastric band contacts the stomach, wherein the administration of the botulinum toxin creates a contrast muscle tone region on the stomach;(b) deploying the gastric band around the stomach, wherein the gastric band fits into the contrast region, thereby securing the gastric band to the stomach.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the site of botulinum toxin administration is on a greater curvature side of the stomach.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of locally administering the botulinum toxin is to more than one site on the stomach.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxins types A, B, C1, D, E, F and G.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin type A.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the gastric band is secured to the stomach by not slipping off from the stomach.

21. A method for deploying a gastric band around a stomach, the method comprising the steps of: (a) administering a botulinum toxin to the stomach tissue of a patient; and(b) deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered locally.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered locally at a site or in a vicinity of the site where the gastric band contacts the stomach.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered locally to an upper part of the stomach.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is administered orally.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of administering the botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle of the stomach prior to the step of deploying the gastric band around the stomach.

27. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of: (c) tightening or loosening the gastric band around the stomach.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of administering the botulinum toxin relaxes a muscle of the stomach prior to the step of tightening or loosening of the gastric band.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxins types A, B, C1, D, E, F and G.

30. The method of claim 21 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin type A.

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the patient is an obese patient.

32. The method of claim 21 wherein the stomach tissue is a stomach smooth muscle.

33. A method for facilitating weight loss, the method comprising the steps of: (a) coating a botulinum toxin onto a surface of a gastric band intended to contact a stomach of a patient; and(b) deploying the gastric band around the stomach of the patient, thereby facilitating weight loss by the patient.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxins types A, B, C1, D, E, F and G.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the botulinum toxin is a botulinum toxin type A.