Gastric Sizing Systems Including Instruments For Use In Bariatric Surgery

What is this patent about?

’937 is related to the field of bariatric surgery, specifically systems and instruments used in procedures like sleeve gastrectomies. These procedures reduce stomach size to treat morbid obesity. Traditionally, a bougie is inserted to guide the resection, but existing instruments lack integration of multiple functions and clear visual guidance.

The underlying idea behind ’937 is to use a flexible sizing tube with suction to delineate the resection line during a sleeve gastrectomy. The tube is inserted into the stomach and positioned along the lesser curvature. Applying suction through apertures in the tube's sidewall draws the stomach wall into close contact with the tube, creating a clear visual guide for the surgeon.

The claims of ’937 focus on a system for sizing a patient's stomach. The system includes a flexible, non-expandable sizing tube designed to be inserted into the stomach and positioned along the lesser curvature. The tube has a series of apertures around its periphery that are connected to a suction source. The suction is applied to draw the stomach tissue against the tube, creating a delineation line for resection, and the suction force is the only means of holding the tube in place.

In practice, the surgeon inserts the sizing tube through the esophagus into the stomach. Once positioned along the lesser curvature, suction is applied. This not only decompresses the stomach by removing fluids and air but also pulls the stomach wall against the tube, creating a clear visual marker. The surgeon then uses this marker to guide a cutting stapler, resecting the stomach along the desired line. The suction ensures the tube remains in place during the procedure.

This approach differs from prior methods that rely on bougies or other static guides. The use of suction to actively engage the stomach wall provides a more precise and adaptable delineation line. Furthermore, the system can include features like one-way valves to prevent the tube from getting stuck and a suction controller to regulate the applied force, enhancing safety and ease of use. The aperture design is also crucial, balancing flexibility for insertion with sufficient suction force to hold the tube in place.