| Understanding the Different Types of Adjustable Gastric Bands
Although gastric banding surgery is the most popular bariatric procedure that patients choose from those available, some people want to know which is the best band they can ask for. It is not responsibility of patients to select a brand or particular type because doctors know which ones are best for each patient, but they can always suggest and discuss with them about this particular topic.
There are basically 3 different types of bands at the top of the bariatric market, the Lapband, the Midband and the Swedish band. Labeled as LAP-Band, Bio-Enterics Corp. manufactures the Lapband in the United States , the Midband is manufactured in Lyon , France , by the Medical Innovation Development and marketed by the Swedish company Lowate.
Incidentally, the Swedish band is manufactured in Switzerland (and not in Sweden ) by Obtech Medical AG. Curiously, the bariatric procedure known as Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB) was invented by Professor Dag Hallberg, in 1984, and shortly after, he joined forces with, Astra Meditec AB and the silicone manufacturer, Atos AB.
Both Swedish medical equipment companies, produced the first gastric band for which Professor Hallberg obtained the patent in Sweden , Denmark and Norway during 1985, but the product was commercialized in Switzerland , while Dr Lubomir Kuzmak applied for the patent in the United States , receiving the patent in August 25, 1985 .
However, the gastric band designed by Professor Hallberg is different in shape in comparison to its American version. The band manufactured in Switzerland has a balloon that covers the whole inner lining of the band. Kuzmak´s band has a balloon only covering a small portion of the inner lining, as it is explained in the patent application.
In adjustability, Hallberg´s gastric band has a wide range, while the American version could not adjust in more than a few mm. Later, Kuzmak´s redesigned the band to the actual diameter adjusting up to about 7 or 8 mm. Patents were never altered, Hallberg's gastric band has the patent for the countries of Scandinavia and Dr Kuzmak for the United States.
In the rest of the world, gastric bands have no patents. The Lap-Band band is characteristically shorter than the Swedish band, having a slightly bigger balloon to make the system softer, serving as a cushion between the band and the gastric walls, while the MidBand is the easier to fit due to its extreme flexibility.
Today, there are many other bands manufactured all over the world, but these are the gastric bands preferred by most surgeons practicing Adjustable Gastric Band surgery.
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