A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, the device having a central axis and a first expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a first cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the first cylinder having a length and a first face; a neck portion extending from the first face of the first expandable portion parallel to the central axis, the neck portion having a first end, a second end, a wall extending between the first end and second end, and a diameter sized to fit within a pylorus; and a second expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a second cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the second cylinder having a second face located at the proximal end of the second cylinder and oriented transverse to the central axis.

An obesity treatment device is provided, the device comprising: at least one operable stretching device implantable in an obese patient and adapted to stretch a portion of the patient's stomach wall and an operation device for operating the stretching device when implanted to stretch the stomach wall portion such that satiety is created.

A method for preventing obesity related to infection by an adipogenic adenovirus includes obtaining a sample from a person, assaying the sample to determine whether the person has been previously infected with an adipogenic adenovirus, and if the person has not been previously infected, providing the person with at least one sensor positioned to detect when a person's hand approaches a predetermined distance from the person's face. By warning the person of undesired hand-to-face contacts, the person is able to reduce the incidence of obesity related infections. Other embodiments are directed to a kit for preventing obesity caused by infection with an adipogenic adenovirus, such kit including a container for assaying an agent indicating the presence of antibodies to Ad-36, and a sensor positioned on an item selected from the group consisting of one of a hat, a writing instrument, eye glasses, a belt, sunglasses, a bra, a shirt, and a tie.

The invention relates to an intraluminar method of treating a reflux disease in a patient by implanting a device comprising an movement restriction device that, when implanted in a patient, fills a volume in the patient's abdomen that is close to and at least partially above the patient's cardia when the patient is in a standing position. The invention further relates to a method of restoring the location of the cardia in a patient suffering from a reflux disease and to an instrument suitable to use with intraluminar method and/or restoration method. Also disclosed are instruments treating a patient suffering hiatal hernia and providing a movement restriction device to be invaginated in the stomach fundus wall.

A method is provided for inducing weight loss in a subject. The method includes using an energy source, applying energy to thalamic nuclei of a subject, modifying at least a portion of the thalamic nuclei by applying the energy, and inducing weight loss in the subject.

A bariatric device and method of causing at least partial satiety in a recipient includes positioning a body in a recipient, the body having a wall defining a lumen, the wall configured to generally conform to the shape and size of the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach. Force is exerted with the wall on the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach in the absence of food thereby activating receptors located in the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach, thereby influencing a neurohormonal feedback mechanism of the recipient to cause at least partial satiety by augmenting fullness caused by food and simulating fullness in the absence of food.

A plurality of scents that produce a particular effect on an individual's appetite are identified. The plurality of scents are delivered to produce the particular effect on the individual's appetite. The particular effect may include one of suppression of the individual's appetite and enhancement of the individual's appetite. Identifying a plurality of scents that produce a particular effect on an individual's appetite may include delivering a second plurality of scents to the individual, detecting a response of the individual to each respective one of the second plurality of scents, and identifying the plurality of scents that produce the particular effect on the individual's appetite based on the responses detected. A schedule for delivery of scents may be generated based on data relating to the individual's responses, and the plurality of scents may be delivered in accordance with the schedule.

The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating obesity in a patient by implanting a volume filling device that, when implanted in a patient, reduces the food cavity in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a volume filling device to be invaginated in the stomach wall of a human patient to treat obesity.

A device for inhibiting at least partially the sense of smell including a solid body is provided for having a main extension along a main plane in which it has a main shape including: an upper portion extending mainly in the longitudinal direction and including a first upper edge substantially flat and aligned with the longitudinal direction, a lower portion protruding at least partially in said vertical direction and downwards, a rear portion extending diagonally in relation to the longitudinal and vertical directions and including a second upper edge in direct contact with the first upper edge and extending in a direction inclined at an angle of between 20 and 70 with respect to the longitudinal direction; the first upper edge extends, in addition, in the transverse direction, more than the remaining part of the solid body.

The present invention relates to a reflux disease treatment apparatus comprising an implantable movement restriction device that maintains cardia in the correct position and an implantable stimulation device adapted to engage with the cardia sphincter of a patient. The invention further comprises a control device for controlling the stimulation device to stimulate the cardia sphincter. The invention can be combined with various methods for treating obesity, in particular methods that creats satiety by stretching the wall of the stomach or fills out a volume of the stomach.