the present invention includes a method and devices for performing a gastroplasty procedure . fig1 - 5 show a series of diagrams detailing the various steps of the method . fig6 - 7 depict several embodiments of various devices . by explaining the method first , the various embodiments of devices will be more easily understood . the gastroplasty method of the present invention begins by introducing a bougie 10 into the stomach a via the esophagus b . the bougie 10 is preferably shaped to follow the lesser curve c of the stomach a . once the bougie 10 is in place such that its distal end 12 is near the gastroduodenal junction d , an extension 14 of the bougie 10 is splayed open as depicted in fig2 . the extension 14 opens enough such that the inner edge 15 of the bougie 10 , opposite the lesser curve c , extends away from the gastroesophageal junction e . next , as seen in fig3 , a staple line 16 is followed along the inner edge 15 of the bougie 10 beginning at the bottom of the stomach a and working up toward the esophagus b . optionally , suction may be applied to the stomach a , such that the stomach a collapses and is sucked against the bougie 10 , making the bougie 10 and the desired staple line 16 easier to visualize and follow . additionally or alternatively , the bougie 10 may include a light source visible through the wall of the stomach a , thereby improving visibility . as seen in fig4 , the suture line 16 will likely include a bend 17 or angle that follows the bougie 10 . fig5 shows that the suture line 16 ends prior to reaching the top of the stomach . a space 19 is left that allows some communication between the bypassed portion of the stomach f and the newly formed stoma g . after the staple line 16 is complete , the extension 14 is closed against the bougie 10 and the bougie 10 is retracted through the esophagus b . turning now to fig6 - 7 , there are shown several embodiments of bougies suitable for use with the method of the present invention . fig6 shows a bougie 20 with an extension 22 and an activation device 24 . the extension 22 is biased shut but is flexible enough to be held open using the activation device 24 . the activation device 24 includes a sliding ring 26 that passes around the outside of the bougie 20 but not including the extension 22 . an extending wire 28 passes through an internal lumen of the bougie 20 and exits the bougie through a port 30 located distally of a distal end 32 of the extension 22 . the extending wire 28 is then routed proximally and attached to the sliding ring 26 . preferably , though not shown in the figures , a second extending wire is similarly routed on an opposite side of the bougie 20 such that when pulled , and equal force is applied to both sides of the ring 26 , thereby preventing the ring from hanging up on the bougie 20 . one or preferably two ( one shown ) retraction wires 34 are also routed through an internal lumen of the bougie , exiting at a port 36 located proximally of the proximal end 38 of the bougie 20 . the retraction wires 34 are also connected to the sliding ring 26 . in operation , the bougie 20 is placed as desired in the stomach and the extension 22 is splayed open by pulling on the extending wire or wires 28 , thereby pulling the ring 26 down in a distal direction . the ring 26 is wedged between the extension 22 and the rest of the bougie 20 . the further the ring 26 is pulled toward the junction between the extension 22 and the bougie 20 , the greater the angle between the two becomes . when the extension 22 is splayed a desired amount , the stapling step of the procedure is accomplished . to remove the bougie 20 , the retraction wire or wires 34 are pulled , thereby pulling the sliding ring 26 in a proximal direction . the resilient nature of the extension 22 brings it flush against the bougie 20 and the bougie 20 may be removed . turning now to fig7 , there is shown another embodiment of a bougie 40 of the present invention with an extension 42 and an activation device 44 . the extension 42 is biased open but is flexible enough to be held closed using the activation device 44 . the activation device 44 includes a sliding ring 46 that passes around the outside of the bougie 40 , including the extension 42 . an extending wire 48 passes through an internal lumen of the bougie 40 and exits the bougie through a port 50 located near or distally of a distal end 52 of the extension 42 . the extending wire 48 is then routed proximally and attached to the sliding ring 46 . preferably , though not shown in the figures , a second extending wire is similarly routed on an opposite side of the bougie 40 such that when pulled , and equal force is applied to both sides of the ring 46 , thereby preventing the ring from hanging up on the bougie 40 . one or preferably two ( one shown ) retraction wires 54 are also routed through an internal lumen of the bougie , exiting at a port 56 located proximally of the proximal end 58 of the bougie 40 . the retraction wires 54 are also connected to the sliding ring 46 . in operation , the bougie 40 is placed as desired in the stomach and the extension 42 is splayed open by pulling on the extending wire or wires 48 , thereby pulling the ring 26 down in a distal direction . the ring 46 releases the extension 42 and the biased - open extension is free to splay . depending on the how over - sized the ring 46 is compared to the bougie , the further the ring 46 is pulled toward the junction between the extension 42 and the bougie 40 , the greater the angle between the two becomes . when the extension 42 is splayed a desired amount , the stapling step of the procedure is accomplished . to remove the bougie 40 , the retraction wire or wires 54 are pulled , thereby pulling the sliding ring 46 in a proximal direction . the ring 46 collapses the extension 42 flush against the bougie 40 and the bougie 40 may be removed . preferably the port 56 is located such that the ring 46 cannot be drawn past the proximal end of the extension 42 , such that an accidental splaying of the extension 42 during withdrawal is not possible . although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications , one of ordinary skill in the art , in light of this teaching , can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention . for example , one skilled in the art will realize several embodiments bougies that include an extension and various was to deploy and retract this extension . just a few , non - limiting examples of other devices include , but are not limited to , screw - activated devices , balloon activated devices , ratcheting devices , and the like . accordingly , it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof .
a gastroplasty method involves a staple line that terminates prior to reaching the gastroesophageal junction such that the bypassed portion of the stomach does not require resection . additionally , bougies are taught that assist a physician in following the improved staple line of the present invention .