The new type of gastric balloon, which has just been approved for use in the UK, is designed to help those who find it impossible to lose weight through normal diets.
But unlike existing products, no surgery is required to insert or remove it.
Instead, the patient swallows a tiny capsule containing the deflated Elipse balloon, which is made from a delicate polymer film.
Attached to the capsule is a catheter - a thin tube. Once the capsule has reached the stomach, a doctor fills the balloon with water through the catheter and then tugs on the tube to detach it.
The filled Elipse occupies a large part of the stomach, reducing appetite and improving the patient's chances of shedding digestive system and allowing the patient to return to a normal calorie intake.
The remains of the balloon pass out through the digestive system.
Most existing gastric balloons rely on a surgeon placing the device in the stomach using an internal probe while the patient is sedated or under anaesthetic.
At the end of its life, it has to be removed the same way. Last year a balloon that can be swallowed, called Obalon became available privately in the UK. Bu it too requires surgical removal.
According to the World Obesity Forum, the number of overweight and obese Britons is set to rise from the current 32million to 36million by 2025, with four million classed as severely obese. Gastric bypass surgery is seen as an effective, if drastic solution but can be too high a risk for extremely large patients.
The Elipse balloon, developed by US firm Allurion Technologies, recently received marketing approval for the UK and Europe.
