ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are endoscopic staplers used to apply one or more fasteners to body tissue. In one embodiment, a fastener-applying device, which is preferably a stapler, is passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications are formed, medical devices may optionally be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
148 Citations
119 Claims
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1-108. -108. (canceled)
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109. A medical instrument for use in fastening tissue, comprising:
a head including; a covering defining a vacuum chamber, the covering having an opening positionable in contact with tissue to be fastened such that application of suction to the vacuum chamber draws the tissue into the vacuum chamber; first and second members at least partially disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first and second members moveable relative to one another into a compression position to compress tissue drawn into the vacuum chamber; a fastener driver; and an expansion member extendable from the head to expand the vacuum chamber, the expansion member comprising an elongate member having a first section and a second section, the second section more flexible than the first section. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111, 112, 113, 114)
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115. A method of tissue fastening, the method comprising:
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providing a head having first and second members, a covering positioned on the first and second members, and an expansion member positioned in contact with the covering, the expansion member comprising an elongate member extending between the first and second members, the elongate member including a first section and a second section, the second section more flexible than the first section; applying suction to the vacuum chamber to draw tissue into the vacuum chamber and between the first and second members; moving at least one of the first and second members towards the other of the first and said members, wherein moving at least one of the first and second members causes expansion of the expansion member to increase the volume within the vacuum chamber; and driving at least one fastener from the first member into the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (116, 117, 118)
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119-242. -242. (canceled)
Specification