Method and devices for modifying the function of a body organ

• US 20040210243A1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Satiety, Inc.
• Inventors: Sutton, Douglas S., Gerbi, Craig, Weller, Gary, Gannoe, Jamy
• Granted Patent: US 7,175,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 using clamps, folding means or the like

Abstract

Methods and devices for partitioning or plicating a region of a hollow body organ are described herein. These methods and devices relate generally to medical apparatus and methods and more particularly to devices and methods for affecting a change in the function of a hollow body organ, particularly a stomach, intestine or gastrointestinal tract. These changes can include reducing the volume capacity of the hollow body organ, disrupting or altering the normal function of the organ, functionally excluding certain sections of the organ either by affixing adjacent tissue or excising certain regions, or affecting or correcting the response of the organ to naturally occurring stimuli, such as ingestion.

Claims

1. A method of decreasing motility of a stomach, comprising:

creating at least one plication between a first and a second tissue region from within the stomach,

wherein the at least one plication is configured within the stomach such that contractions produced by the stomach arc attenuated to affect a rate at which contents within the stomach are emptied therefrom.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising creating a plurality of additional plications within the stomach.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication within a fundic region of the stomach.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising configuring the plication to inhibit distension of the stomach within the fundic region.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising configuring the plication to extend between a gastroesophageal junction and a greater curvature of the stomach.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication within an antrum region of the stomach.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising configuring the plication to extend at least partially between a fundic region and a distal portion of the stomach.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising configuring the plication to extend angularly between the fundic region and the distal portion.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to extend at least partially between a lesser curvature and a greater curvature of the stomach.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising creating a plurality of additional plications within the stomach configured in a radial pattern extending between the lesser curvature and the greater curvature.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to extend from a gastroesophageal junction to a distal portion of the stomach.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising configuring the at least one plication to extend between a distal end of the at least one plication and a greater curvature of the stomach.

13. A method of inhibiting elongation of a proximal portion of a stomach, comprising:

creating at least one plication between a first and a second tissue region from within the stomach,

wherein the at least one plication extends from adjacent a lower esophageal sphincter to within a lumen of the stomach, and

wherein a placement of the at least one plication is such that a length of the lower esophageal sphincter is maintained during stomach distension.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to extend from a distal portion of the lower esophageal sphincter.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to maintain a consistent length of the lower esophageal sphincter prior to and after stomach distension.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to maintain the length of the lower esophageal sphincter at 2 cm or greater.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the lower esophageal sphincter.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication angled relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the lower esophageal sphincter.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to extend along a majority of the stomach.

20. A method of controlling hormone secretion levels within a stomach, comprising:

creating at least one plication between a first and a second tissue region from within the stomach,

wherein the at least one plication is configured such that the hormone secretions from a region of the stomach is impaired by the at least one plication.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising creating a plurality of additional plications within the stomach.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein creating the plurality of additional plications comprises configuring the plications adjacent to one another along the stomach.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to exclude a fundic region of the stomach from communication with a remaining portion of the stomach.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein creating the at least one plication comprises configuring the plication to extend between a gastro esophageal junction to an antrum of the stomach.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein configuring the plication comprises terminating the plication proximal of the antrum.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein configuring the plication comprises terminating the plication distal of the antrum.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the hormone comprises Ghrelin.

28. A method of modifying a function of a hollow body organ, said method comprising:

positioning a tissue acquisition device into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the gastrointestinal tract having a stomach which comprises an esophagus, a fundus, and an antrum;

acquiring a first tissue region and a second tissue region within a region of the fundus;

fastening the first and second tissue regions together to form a plication such that the plication functions as a barrier to fundic contractions affecting the antrum of the stomach, thereby impacting a rate at which contents of the stomach are emptied into a remaining portion of the gastrointestinal tract.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising acquiring additional regions of tissue to form additional plications within the region of the fundus.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the plication is configured to inhibit distension of the stomach within the region of the fundus.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein fastening the first and second tissue regions comprises configuring the plication between a gastroesophageal junction and a greater curvature of the stomach.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein fastening the first and second tissue regions comprises configuring the plication to extend from a gastroesophageal junction to a distal portion of the stomach.