Device That Pumps Food Straight Out Of Your Stomach Invented

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 09 Jan 2013 - 12:00 PST


Inventors have created a device that lets people eat as much as they want, regardless of the calories, and then have one third of those calories sucked out of their stomach with a pump device called "AspireAssist".

Twenty minutes after eating, thirty percent of what went into their stomachs is emptied out into the toilet through a tube that is attached to a small, handheld device that is connected to a skin-port that is discretely embedded on the outside of the abdomen.

According to the pump's makers, Aspire Bariatrics:

"The AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy System is a breakthrough weight loss solution for people with obesity. Unlike many other weight loss procedures, the AspireAssist is minimally-invasive and completely reversible at any time."

The device was invented by Dr. Sam Klein (gastroenterologist), Dr. Moshe Shike (gastroenterologist), and Dr. Stephen Solomon (interventional radiologist).

The scientists say that AspireAssist allows the obese patient to gain control over their weight loss, using a method they call "Aspiration Therapy".

How does Aspiration Therapy work?

The patients suck out (aspirate, drain) some of their stomach contents into the toilet after a meal through an endoscopically-implanted tube. By doing this, the number of calories that are absorbed into the body are much fewer.

The inventors explained that the tube, known as The A-Tube, is implanted into the patient's stomach, which leads to a small, low-profile port at the surface of the skin. The Skin-Port has a valve which can be opened or closed to control the flow of the contents of the stomach. A small handheld device is connected to the Skin-Port when the patient wants to empty a portion of his/her stomach contents.

Placing the A-Tube is an outpatient, 20-minute procedure which is performed under conscious sedation (no general anesthetic). In most cases, the patient can go home or to work within one or two hours after the tube is implanted.

AspireAssist, which drains out approximately one third of all the calories consumed, should be used in conjunction with a lifestyle modification program. This program needs to be carefully tailored to the patient's needs and should be monitored closely.

What is aspiration?

In this context, aspiration means draining some of the contents of the stomach. The aspiration process is done approximately 20 minutes after patients have finished eating their meal. The whole process takes from five to ten minutes and is performed in the restroom. The contents are drained directly into the toilet.

Because just one third of the stomach's contents are removed, the risk of not receiving enough calories to function properly is minimal.

For best effects, patients should aspirate three times a day - after each major meal - at first. The frequency of aspirations usually goes down after the individual has learnt to eat more healthfully.

European approval

In December 2011, the AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy System was given a CE mark of approval to market in the EU (European Union). It is available commercially in selected parts of Europe and some other regions in the world. The company says that the device "is not approved for sale in the United States and is limited by United States law to investigational use."

According to Clinical Trials carried out in the USA, the AspireAssist device helped patients lose an average of 49% of their excess bodyweight within 12 months.

Patients simply eat normally

Patients who use the AspireAssist can eat and drink normal amounts and kinds of food. They will, however, gradually learn healthier behaviors with lifestyle counseling. In order to achieve weight loss, the makers say that no sudden diet changes are required.

The procedure is reversible - through a 15-minute outpatient procedure, the AspireAssist can be removed.



Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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