apparatuses , systems and / or methods that implement the embodiments of the various features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings . the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention . throughout the drawings , reference numbers are re - used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements . fig2 a illustrates an esophageal implant device 205 implanted into a patient &# 39 ; s esophageal junction between an esophagus 206 and a stomach 200 . these devices can also be referred to as intragastric devices . as shown , the esophageal implant device 205 is fixed within the esophageal lumen via tissue fixation means 215 anchoring the esophageal implant device 205 in place through a plurality of holes 220 . that is , each of the plurality of holes 220 may have its own corresponding tissue fixation means 215 . furthermore , the number of holes 220 and corresponding tissue fixation means 215 may be configured as desired . the esophageal implant device 205 functions to emulate natural tissue behavior ( e . g ., esophageal constriction , expansion , peristalsis , and the like ) to allow the transport of food boluses through the esophageal implant device 205 , albeit at a potentially slower rate due to the restriction caused by the esophageal implant device 205 . more particularly , the natural tissue behavior emulated by the esophageal implant device 205 is produced , at least in part , by the compliance of the esophageal implant device 205 which may be due to the gel ( or saline ) or other appropriate compliance producing filling 210 . fig2 b illustrates the esophageal implant device 205 outside of the patient &# 39 ; s body and shown without the tissue anchors for the sake of clarity . the esophageal implant device 205 may be bell - shaped ( or cylindrical - shaped with an outwardly tapered bottom end or hour - glass shaped ) with the portion of the esophageal implant device 205 extending into the stomach of the patient flaring outwards ( i . e ., similar to an inverted funnel ). that is , in one embodiment , the circumference of a bottom portion 260 of the esophageal implant device 205 where a food bolus exits is larger than a circumference of a top portion 255 where the food bolus enters the esophageal implant device 205 . as shown in the cross - sectional illustration of fig2 c , the esophageal implant device 205 may be compliant , lowdurometer ( e . g ., 0 - 30 shore a ) and gel - filled or saline - filled . in one embodiment , the esophageal implant device 205 may be divided by a separating wall 225 into an anchoring portion 230 having the holes 220 and a compliant portion 235 . the anchoring portion 230 may be unfilled or constructed out of a sturdier material such as a polymer , while the compliant portion 235 may be filled with a compliant gel or other appropriate filling 210 . the filling 210 may be silicone or other gel materials ( e . g ., as derived from breast implant devices or dermal filling applications ). the separating wall 225 prevents the filling 210 from entering into the anchoring portion 230 . in one or more alternative embodiments , the esophageal implant device 205 might not include a separating wall 225 . accordingly , the entire or substantially entire esophageal implant device 205 may be filled with the filling 210 . as shown above , for example in fig2 a , the esophageal implant device 205 may be fixed to the patient &# 39 ; s esophageal lumen via a tissue fixation means 215 . fig2 d illustrates one embodiment of a tissue fixation means , and in particular , a mesh tissue anchor 250 . the mesh tissue anchor 250 may be fully collapsible to allow delivery via endoscopic instrumentation ( e . g ., a needle driver ). after penetration through the mucosal - serosal tissue 201 , the mesh tissue anchor 250 may expand to prevent immediate retraction back within the esophageal lumen . more particularly , the mesh tissue anchor 250 may include a pin 251 and a collapsible pin anchor 255 . the pin 251 may include a head portion 252 connected to a stem portion 253 , which in turn is connected to an anchor interface 254 connected to the collapsible pin anchor 255 . when collapsed , the collapsible pin anchor 255 may be configured to be smaller than the holes 220 such that the collapsible pin anchor 255 may be insertable into any one of the holes 220 . the stem portion 253 may be substantially the same dimension or slightly smaller as any of the holes 220 to allow the stem portion 253 to engage and hold the pin 251 in place after the collapsible pin anchor 255 is inserted through any one of the holes 220 . the head portion 252 may be configured to be larger than the holes 220 to prevent the pin 251 from slipping through the holes 220 . after the collapsible pin anchor 255 pierces through the mucosal - serosal tissue 201 , the collapsible pin anchor 255 may be expanded dimensionally to prevent the aforementioned retraction . in this manner , the mesh tissue anchor 250 fixes the esophageal implant device 205 to the patient &# 39 ; s mucosal - serosal tissue 201 . fig2 e illustrates the mesh tissue anchor 250 outside the patient &# 39 ; s body for clarity . as shown here , the mesh tissue anchor 250 is in its expanded orientation . while not shown , the mesh tissue anchor 250 may also be collapsed in another orientation . in one embodiment , generally - speaking , the mesh tissue anchor 250 may be loosely analogous to the operation of an umbrella operable to be collapsed or expanded . the collapsible pin anchor 255 may include a supporting portion 256 designed to be smooth and flat and for contacting an outside surface of the patient &# 39 ; s serosal tissue when the collapsible pin anchor 255 is expanded . the collapsible pin anchor 255 may further include an apex 257 for holding the pin 251 to the collapsible pin anchor 255 . in one embodiment , when expanded and positioned as shown in fig2 d , the collapsible pin anchor 255 may allow for tissue in - growth thereby providing even greater fixating potential and biocompatibility . in addition , discrete anchor implantation and / or removal may be performed by endoscopy . fig2 f - 2h illustrates another example of a tissue fixation means . here , tissue fixation may be accomplished using a combination of anchors that mate with a gastric band that wraps around the exterior of the patient &# 39 ; s esophagus . the gastric band may be advantageous due to the proven longevity of the support ( e . g ., over 10 years ) and further promoting satiety by providing a presence about the surrounding satiety nerves . implantation and removal of this embodiment of fixation may be performed laparoscopically . fig2 f illustrates one embodiment of how the esophageal implant device 205 may be attached to the patient &# 39 ; s mucosal - serosal tissue 201 via anchors 270 and further holding the gastric band 275 in place . more particularly , as shown in fig2 g , a plurality of anchors 270 may be positioned circumferentially and uniformly about the patient &# 39 ; s esophagus . the anchors 270 advantageously hold the esophageal implant device 205 in place while also functioning similarly to belt loops creating a barrier against undesired movement in three directions with respect to the gastric band 275 , thereby holding the gastric band 275 in place contacting the patient &# 39 ; s esophagus . fig2 h illustrates how the anchors 270 are placed into position . the anchors 270 may include a pin component 276 having a stem portion 277 and a head portion 278 , and a hook component 279 . the stem portion 277 of the pin component 276 may penetrate holes 220 of the esophageal implant device 205 and mucosal - serosal tissue 201 prior to being received and joined to the hook component 279 . in this manner , the anchors 270 function to hold in place the esophageal implant device 205 on the mucosal side of the mucosal - serosal tissue 201 and the gastric band 275 on the serosal side the mucosal - serosal tissue 201 . fig3 a - 3e illustrates another embodiment of an esophageal implant device 300 . the esophageal implant device 300 may be compliant , low - durometer ( e . g ., 0 - 30 shore a ), and low viscosity fluid filled . as shown , substantially the entire interior of the esophageal implant device 300 may be filled with a low viscosity fluid . for example , low viscosity fluids may include saline , silicone or other substances . similar to the esophageal implant device 200 of fig2 a , the esophageal implant device 300 may emulate natural tissue behavior . however , the esophageal implant device 300 may further self - regulate internal pressures when implanted within the patient &# 39 ; s esophagus 301 . furthermore , a “ gating ” effect may cause the bolus of food 350 traveling in the direction of arrow 310 to be further broken down as a result of the pressures on the esophagus 301 . fig3 b - 3e illustrate how the esophageal implant device 300 may function . as shown in fig3 b , when the bolus of food 350 reaches the esophageal implant device 300 in the direction of arrows 310 , the body 305 of the esophageal implant device 300 is in an equilibrium state . however , as the bolus of food 350 begins to transport through the esophageal implant device 300 as illustrated in fig3 c , the bolus of food 300 begins to exert a pressure causing the fluid within the esophageal implant device 300 to move in the direction of arrows 315 . here , the bolus 350 also applies an outward pressure and gates off the bottom portion of the esophageal implant device 300 ( via the bulge beneath arrows 315 ) reservoir thereby slowing the digestion process and helping the patient feel satiated for a longer period of time . as the bolus of food 350 continues to move downward in the direction of arrow 310 , proximal to the middle portion of the esophageal implant device 300 , the pressure exerted on the esophageal implant device 300 now causes some fluid to move in the direction of arrows 315 and some fluid to move in the direction of arrows 320 , thereby facilitating the move of the bolus 350 downwards while also applying an outward pressure on the esophagus 301 . as peristalsis further transports the bolus of food 350 downward , proximal to the bottom portion of the esophageal implant device 300 , the bolus of food 350 now exerts a pressure causing the fluid within the esophageal implant device 300 to move upwards in the direction of arrows 320 . as shown , the top portions of the esophageal implant device 300 above the arrows 320 bulges inward due to the influx of fluid thereby resulting in a gating effect . that is , the influx of fluid moving to the top portion of the esophageal implant device 300 above the arrows 320 momentarily prevents any other bolus from passing through the esophageal implant device 300 . satiety may be correlated with bolus activity about the gastric band ( e . g ., moving up and back down ), and therefore , in the manner illustrated in fig3 b - 3e , the patient may experience improved satiety after swallowing a bolus of food . in addition , the gating effect may assist to guide the bolus 350 through the esophageal implant device 300 . other embodiments of an endoscopic device for the treatment of obesity may include a variable - sized opening for the passage of a bolus of food . for example , a mechanical stoma may be provided . due to the presence of mechanics , the relative ability for the mechanical stoma to emulate natural tissue motions may be less than the endoscopic devices 200 and 300 but still remain non - stiff . fig4 a - 4d illustrate one embodiment of the mechanical stoma in the form of a conical valve 405 . the conical valve 405 allows for regulating control over the overall restrictive capability of the esophageal implant 400 . the restriction adjustment is based on the relative separation between the conical valve 405 and the housing 410 . that is , the greater the separation , the less restriction the esophageal implant 400 can maintain . in one embodiment , the esophageal implant 400 may be physician adjusted . as shown in fig4 a , the conical valve 405 is completely inserted into the housing 410 , and as a result , the esophageal implant 400 is relatively very restrictive in this orientation . conversely , as shown in fig4 b , the conical valve 405 is not fully inserted into the housing 410 , and as a result , the esophageal implant 400 is not as restrictive in this orientation as compared to the orientation of fig4 a . the arrow 420 illustrates a direction that the conical valve 405 may be manipulated to cause the esophageal implant 400 to be more restrictive . conversely , manipulating the conical valve in the reverse direction may cause the esophageal implant 400 to be less restrictive . fig4 c and 4d illustrate a top view and a bottom view , respectively , of the esophageal implant 400 showing the gaps where the food may pass through between the conical valve 405 and the housing 410 . as the conical valve 405 is manipulated to be increasingly restrictive , the gaps where the food may pass through become decreasingly smaller . in this manner , the conical valve 405 may be manipulated to control the level of restriction . manipulation of the conical valve 405 may be performed by the physician via a mechanical interface ( e . g ., a screw , spring or friction ). alternatively , the conical valve 405 may include a motor controllable by a remote computing device outside the body . fig5 a and 5b illustrate another embodiment of a mechanical stoma 500 , here shown to include a plurality of plates 505 which pivot and / or overlap to vary the opening for the bolus of food . fig5 a is a top view of the mechanical stoma 500 having a plurality of plates 505 attached to a body 510 via pivoting member 515 . the plates 505 may be pivotably fixed to the body 510 to create a variably - sized opening for the passage of a bolus of food . as shown , the plates 505 are positioned in a relatively “ closed ” orientation resulting in a relatively small opening . in one embodiment , the plates 505 may further engage one another such that movement of one plate may trigger the movement of an adjacent plate . alternatively , the plates 505 might not contact each other and may be controlled independently . the physician may control the positioning of the plates 505 manually via an endoscopic device or the plates 505 may include a motor controllable by a remote computing device outside the body . fig5 b illustrates a top view of the mechanical stoma 500 having the plurality of plates 500 positioned in a relatively “ open ” orientation resulting in a relatively large opening for the passage of food . in another embodiment , an endoscopic device having a variably sized opening or iris may be provided to restrict a patient &# 39 ; s consumption of food . for example , fig6 a illustrates a top view of an endoscopic device 600 defining an opening 605 for the passage of a bolus of food . in one embodiment , the endoscopic device 600 may be a biocompatible diaphragm 610 stretched across a frame 615 , which may be rigid . the frame 615 may be attached to a patient &# 39 ; s esophageal - gastric junction via tissue fixation means ( e . g ., as described herein ). fig6 b illustrates a cross - sectional side view of the biocompatible diaphragm 610 fixed across the frame 615 . fig6 c illustrates the operation of the endoscopic device 600 with respect to a bolus of food 670 . as the bolus of food 670 swallowed by the patient reaches the biocompatible diaphragm 610 , the bolus of food 670 may cause a downward pressure on the opening 605 of the diaphragm 610 thereby temporarily enlarging the opening 605 and allowing the bolus of food 670 to pass through . fig6 d illustrates how the opening 605 of the endoscopic device 600 stretches to accommodate the bolus of food 670 . the biocompatible diaphragm 610 as shown , defines one opening 605 , but in other embodiments , may include additional openings of varying or uniform sizes . the physician may be able to adjust the endoscopic device 600 in any of a plurality of ways to customize the size , shape and firmness of the diaphragm 600 . for example , the physician may cut the opening 605 to size endoscopically or prior to implantation . the physician may also configure how taut the diaphragm 600 is when fixed to the frame 615 thereby controlling the size and / or shape of the opening 605 , and further controlling the material &# 39 ; s ability to stretch . in one or more embodiments , the material of the diaphragm ( e . g ., rubber ) itself may be configured to be stiffer or more compliant as desired by the physician . fig7 illustrates a top view of an endoscopic device 700 having a “ cross - hair shaped ”, variably sized opening 705 defined by a diaphragm 710 , which may be stretched and / or fixed to a frame 715 according to an embodiment of the present invention . the endoscopic device 700 may operate and / or be configured similarly to endoscopic device 600 of fig6 a . assuming all else equal , such a shaped opening may allow for better control of bolus transport through the device than the iris - shaped opening of fig6 a . fig8 illustrates a top view of an endoscopic device 800 having an ellipsoid - shaped , variably sized opening 805 defined by a diaphragm 810 , which may be stretched and / or fixed to a frame 815 according to an embodiment of the present invention . the endoscopic device 800 may operate and / or be configured similarly to endoscopic device 600 of fig6 a . assuming all else equal , the ellipsoid - shaped opening 805 may allow for easier passage of fluids due to being larger than the opening 605 of fig6 a . however , the configuration , and namely because the opening 805 is more narrow than the opening 605 of fig6 a , the passage of larger boluses of food may be more restricted with respect to the endoscopic device 800 . in certain embodiments , esophageal implants may include artificial esophageal stomas and stents or stent - like fixation means . using such artificial stomas may provide substantial advantages including , but not limited to , ( 1 ) providing a noninvasive , non - surgical alternative to existing obesity treatment devices , ( 2 ) including stent or stent - like portions for positioning and fixating means to hold the artificial stoma in place , ( 3 ) providing non - invasive means for determining implant location within a patient &# 39 ; s body due to being visible under fluoroscopy or other radiographic imagining , ( 4 ) having pliable and complaint characteristics making the artificial esophageal stoma obstruction tolerant , ( 5 ) allowing variability in the size of the stoma / stent ( e . g ., by removing a stoma / stent of one size and replacing it with a stoma / stent of a second size ), and / or ( 6 ) allowing removal of the artificial esophageal stoma using non - surgical , full endoscopic instrumentation . fig9 a illustrates one embodiment of an esophageal implant 900 positioned within a patient &# 39 ; s esophagus 905 . the esophageal implant 900 may include a stent portion 910 and an artificial stoma portion 915 . the esophageal implant 900 is shown outside the patient &# 39 ; s body for clarity in fig9 b . the stent portion 910 may be constructed out of nitinol , nitinol - platinum alloys or other materials with similar properties and may be configured to have any of a number of different geometries to assist with fixation and migration resistance when implanted into the esophagus 905 . the stent portion 910 may also include barbs , ribs , fins , struts or other outward members to further prevent migration and maintain fixation within the patient &# 39 ; s esophagus 905 . in addition , the stent portion 910 may be coupled with tissue fixation means ( e . g ., such as mesh anchor 250 ). the stent portion 910 may be attached to the artificial stoma portion 915 via a lining portion 925 . the lining portion 925 may be constructed out of silicone and may cover the stent portion 910 partially ( as shown ) or entirely ( not shown ). the lining portion 925 may be attached to the stent portion 910 and the artificial stoma portion 915 via any one of a number of different techniques including but not limited to ( 1 ) situating the lining portion 925 along the inner diameter of the stent portion 910 ( e . g ., in a “ belt - and suspenders ” type design ), ( 2 ) overmolding the stoma shell over the stent and then filling the shell with gel , and / or ( 3 ) utilizing mechanical fixation means or other appropriate fixation means . the artificial stoma portion 915 may be gel - filled and both pliable and compliant . for example , the artificial stoma portion 915 may operate in a manner similar to endoscopic devices 200 and 300 of fig2 a and 3a , respectively . the esophageal implant 900 may also include grasping members 920 fixed to the top of the stent portion 910 as shown in fig5 b and 5c for easier implantation and / or removal . alternatively and / or in addition , a suture running through the stent portion 910 may assist to collapse the esophageal implant 900 for removal . in one or more embodiments , the esophageal implant 900 may act as a “ funnel ” such that the opening 935 at the top of the stent portion 910 may be larger than the opening 930 at the bottom of the artificial stoma portion 915 to guide a bolus of food and to provide the restrictive features of the artificial stoma portion 915 . many variations to the esophageal implant 900 may be possible . for example , the artificial stoma portion 915 may be endoscopically removed leaving the stent portion 910 in place . in this manner , removal of the restrictive stoma portion 910 may be performed while enabling future reattachment of a similarly sized or differently sized stoma portion . other variations to the esophageal implant 900 may include changing the conical geometry to a cylindrical geometry over varied lengths , including flared ends or including ribs , fins or other barb - like features along the stent body to assist with fixation within the esophageal lumen and to prevent migration during normal and / or increased peristalsis . the stent portion 910 may also be braided or laser cut to improve the collapsibility of the esophageal implant 900 for delivery , opening force and compliance within the patient &# 39 ; s body . fig9 d is a close - up view of fig9 a showing the endoscopic device having the stent portion 910 located above the artificial stoma portion 915 ( i . e ., the artificial stoma portion 915 being distal to the stent portion 910 ). however , alternative embodiments as shown in fig1 and 11 may include endoscopic devices 1000 and 1100 where the artificial stoma portion is located above the stent portion ( as shown in fig1 wherein the artificial stoma portion 1015 being proximal to the stent portion 1010 ) or contained within the stent portion ( as shown in fig1 wherein the stoma portion is integrated within the stent portion 1110 effectively reducing longitudinal contact on the mucosal tissue ). certain embodiments have been disclosed to clarify the concepts including the above structural configurations . however , one skilled in the art will recognize that an endless number of implementations may be performed with the concepts herein . for example , the tube may be a catheter and may be used in other applications which require transferring fluid or gas . unless otherwise indicated , all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients , volumes of fluids , and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “ about .” accordingly , unless indicated to the contrary , the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention . at the very least , and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims , each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques . notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations , the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible . any numerical value , however , inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements . the terms “ a ,” “ an ,” “ the ” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention ( especially in the context of the following claims ) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural , unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context . recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range . unless otherwise indicated herein , each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein . all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context . the use of any and all examples , or exemplary language ( e . g ., “ such as ”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed . no language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non - claimed element essential to the practice of the invention . groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations . each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein . it is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in , or deleted from , a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability . when any such inclusion or deletion occurs , the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all markush groups used in the appended claims . certain embodiments of this invention are described herein , including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention . of course , variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description . the inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate , and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein . accordingly , this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law . moreover , any combination of the above - described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context . furthermore , certain references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification . each of the above - cited references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety . specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language . when used in the claims , whether as filed or added per amendment , the transition term “ consisting of ” excludes any element , step , or ingredient not specified in the claims . the transition term “ consisting essentially of ” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic ( s ). embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein . in closing , it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention . other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention . thus , by way of example , but not of limitation , alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein . accordingly , the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described .
generally described herein are apparatus , systems and methods related to a novel esophageal device implantable in the patient &# 39 ; s body and designed to replicate the restrictive and satiety mechanism associated with gastric banding systems known in the art . the device can be a compliant and tubular - shaped and fixated within the gastro - esophageal lumen using tissue anchors .