US 6,981,980 B2
Self-inflating intragastric volume-occupying device
Douglas C. Sampson, Palm City, Fla. (US); and Michael Zanakis, Stuart, Fla. (US)
Assigned to Phagia Technology, Stuart, Fla. (US)
Filed on Mar. 19, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/390,902.
Prior Publication US 2004/0186502 A1, Sep. 23, 2004
Int. Cl. A61M 29/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 606—192 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A self-inflating intragastric medical device comprising:
1) an uninflated, ingestible, substantially liquid-impermeable balloon having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface bounding a lumen;
2) an emissive substance enclosed within the balloon, wherein the emissive substance is a substance that liberates gas when contacted with a reactants;
3) a vessel enclosed within the balloon and enclosing a space within the balloon separate from the lumen, wherein at least a portion of the vessel is fabricated of a gelatin that is soluble in at least one liquid selected from the group consisting of:
1. water,
2. organic acids that are liquid at room temperature, and
3. solutions of mineral or organic acids;
and wherein the vessel comprises a receptacle fabricated of the gelatin and having a mouth, further wherein the receptacle is attached at the mouth to a septum by a liquid-impermeable seal; and
4) a self-sealing valve providing fluid communication into the vessel from outside the balloon, wherein the self-sealing valve is the septum.