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The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System
BIB During Implantation
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Introduction
This is an effective therapy for obesity without pharmaceuticals or surgery.
Obesity is quickly becoming a worldwide epidemic.
The staggering health risks and costs associated with the disease demand new therapies to both prevent and treat this growing problem.
The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System provides a unique alternative in the treatment of obesity, it is an effective therapy without the risks of surgery or the side-effects of drugs.
The BIB System offers patients another therapeutic option to safely lose weight and reduce the health risks linked to obesity.
Air Filled -v- Liquid Filled
There are two possibilities of how to fill intra-gastric balloon – by liquid or by air.
Apart from air filled balloons being 40% cheaper to manufacture, different types of fillings have been tried in the past (20-25 years tests first started).
With balloons using the air filled method, more complications appeared, and lower weight loss results were achieved than with balloons filled by liquid for several of the reasons listed below:
- The Balloon that is filled by air is lighter, but it has an undesired side effect .
The movement of the balloon in the stomach, especially when the patient drinks the balloon floats on the liquid level.
This allows it to get to higher parts of stomach, where it can cause temporary closure of area, where the crater/gorge/gullet/vent connects to the stomach.
The results of this can be that the client cannot eat for certain time as the balloon acts as a stopper! - An air filled balloon floats and will irritate the stomach wall more than a balloon filled by liquid. This irritation of the stomach wall can cause higher production of stomach acid, which in turn can cause digestive problems, acidity of stomach etc.
- The advantage of balloons filled by liquid is that if the balloon is damaged by accident in stomach, it is instantly detected as the balloon is filled with a blue coloured liquid.
Although unlikely, if any of the liquid leaks from the balloon, it will colour the urine of the patient green.
The patient can easily recognize this problem very quickly, and can immediately visit / contact a doctor. - Whereas an empty balloon can potentially go through the stomach to the bowels where it can cause acute impassability.
The early detection of leakage from the balloon allows Doctors to resolve the situation by removing the balloon and prevent possible, relatively serious complications.
When the balloon is filled by air, the possibility of detection of leakage is impossible, until
secondary problems occur.
* * * W E U S E L I Q U I D F I L L E D O N L Y * * *
[3.1.1.2] Last update: 5th September 2007
