Early trials of a new implantable, and removable, intestinal liner have shown promise as a noninvasive means to promote blood sugar control and weight loss. In contrast to well-established invasive procedures like gastric bypass surgery, the application of the EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner, does not involve a scalpel. Rather, a doctor inserts it into a patient’s small intestine through the mouth in a procedure known as endoscopy.

Once placed, it creates a physical barrier between incoming food and the intestinal wall, thereby altering the way food moves through, and gets processed by, the digestive system. The liner appears effective at both quickly reducing blood glucose levels and shrinking the waistline.

“We know how effective bariatric surgery can be,” said author of the study Dr Lee Kaplan. “But surgery is invasive, and because it has significant side effects in a small percentage of patients, it would be nice to come up with noninvasive things that can work effectively along the same principles of surgery. This device does that.”