1 An endoscope inserts a water-absorbing bariatric balloon sealed with light-sensitive polymer gel into the patient’s stomach. The filling inflates when it is in contact with water
Endoscope
Polymer gel seal
Stomach
Porous
latex
balloon
2 To remove the balloon the patient swallows a tiny pill-shaped LED light, which has a magnetic cap. This emits blue or ultraviolet light that the gel is sensitive to
The magnetic LED docks with a metal component at the sealed end of the balloon
3 The seal breaks down, the balloon deflates and the LED and balloon pass naturally out of the body
The seal is broken
and the contents
are released
The magnetic LED docks with a metal component at the sealed end of the balloon
Endoscope
The seal is broken
and the contents
are released
Polymer gel seal
Stomach
Porous
latex
balloon
1 An endoscope inserts a water-absorbing bariatric balloon sealed with light-sensitive polymer gel into the patient’s stomach. The filling inflates when it is in contact with water
2 To remove the balloon the patient swallows a tiny pill-shaped LED light, which has a magnetic cap. This emits blue or ultraviolet light that the gel is sensitive to
3 The seal breaks down, the balloon deflates and the LED and balloon pass naturally out of the body