| abstract |
An endoscopic stomach insert for treating obesity in humans by reducing the desire for eating, comprising a base-sized for passing through a human mouth and esophagus; a plurality of flexible blades coupled at one end thereof to the base and circumferentially arranged about the base central axis, where the blades are biased to extend substantially radially outward and downward from the base; and a retainer for releasably coupling the distal portions of the blades within close proximity to each other about the central axis of the base. The insert is thus adapted to be passed through the mouth and esophagus and into a human stomach, and upon releasing the retainer within the stomach, the blades are biased to flare outwardly into the form of a dome-shaped cage, applying pressure to the stomach, and thus causing a sensation of fullness within the stomach and reducing the desire for eating. |