MIT engineers have developed a novel dynamic gastric balloon designed to aid weight loss. Unlike traditional gastric balloons, this innovative device can be inflated and deflated on demand, potentially offering a compelling alternative to weight loss medications and invasive surgical procedures. This breakthrough technology was detailed in a December 3rd study published in the journal Device.
Traditional gastric balloons, surgically inserted into the stomach, induce a feeling of fullness to curb overeating. However, their effectiveness is often short-lived as the stomach adapts to the balloon’s presence. The MIT team’s dynamic balloon addresses this limitation by changing its volume, preventing the stomach from adjusting and potentially promoting sustained weight loss.
“The concept is to have a dynamic balloon, inflated before meals to suppress hunger, and then deflated between meals,” explains Giovanni Traverso, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a participant in the study. Initial tests on pigs showed a 60% reduction in food consumption when the balloon was inflated prior to feeding.
The device is placed in the stomach through an abdominal incision and controlled by an external pump connected via a tube, similar to a feeding tube. This external controller could potentially be attached to a patient’s skin. Traverso notes the long-term viability of such systems, citing the established practice of using feeding tubes for extended periods.
While the initial study focused on short-term effects on food intake, longer-term research is planned to assess actual weight loss. “Traditional gastric balloons are typically deployed for six months or more to achieve significant weight loss. We need to evaluate our device over a similar or longer timeframe to confirm its superior efficacy,” says Neil Zixun Jia of MIT, the study’s lead author.
The researchers initially explored two weight loss prototypes: the dynamic gastric balloon and a four-armed device that applied pressure to the stomach wall. They ultimately opted for the balloon, believing it distributed force more effectively and offered a safer long-term approach.
This innovative technology holds promise for individuals who are unable to manage obesity through medication or invasive surgeries like gastric bypass. As the popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic rises, the dynamic gastric balloon offers a potential alternative solution.
