The teachings are directed to an intragastric device comprising a flexible
and expandable bladder having a predetermined shape upon expansion for
contacting the antrum of the stomach of a subject. The device is designed
to avoid passage of any part of the device beyond the pylorus and lower
esophageal sphincter while the bladder is expanded during use. In these
embodiments, the bladder can contain a high specific gravity material
when expanded; wherein, the high specific gravity material contributes to
an in vivo specific gravity of the device that ranges from about 1.2 g/ml
to about 2.1 g/ml and functions to direct the device to the pyloric
antrum of the subject during use of the device. Moreover, these
embodiments can include a filling material comprising a biocompatible
fluid component and a hydrogel component to make the device substantially
leakproof and contribute to the in vivo specific gravity of the device.