APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FORMING AND SECURING GASTROINTESTINAL TISSUE FOLDS
First Claim
1. An endoscopic apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate endoscopic device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween;
an end effector positioned at the distal end of the endoscopic device, the end effector having an outer surface and being provided with at least one recess opening onto the outer surface and an internal passageway communicating with the recess whereby when a suction source is coupled to the endoscopic device a suction is created in the recess to draw a portion of tissue wall into the recess;
a needle slidably disposed in the endoscopic device, the needle being actuatable from a proximal end of the needle for movement from a retracted position in which a distal end of the needle is out of the recess to an extended position in which the distal end of the needle extends into the recess whereby the needle can be extended into the portion of tissue wall drawn into the recess; and
an anchor assembly comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a connector, with at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor having a through-passage of a size to accommodate the needle such that the at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor is disposed substantially concentrically on an exterior surface of the needle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.
137 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoscopic apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate endoscopic device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween; an end effector positioned at the distal end of the endoscopic device, the end effector having an outer surface and being provided with at least one recess opening onto the outer surface and an internal passageway communicating with the recess whereby when a suction source is coupled to the endoscopic device a suction is created in the recess to draw a portion of tissue wall into the recess; a needle slidably disposed in the endoscopic device, the needle being actuatable from a proximal end of the needle for movement from a retracted position in which a distal end of the needle is out of the recess to an extended position in which the distal end of the needle extends into the recess whereby the needle can be extended into the portion of tissue wall drawn into the recess; and an anchor assembly comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a connector, with at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor having a through-passage of a size to accommodate the needle such that the at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor is disposed substantially concentrically on an exterior surface of the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for endoscopically reconfiguring tissue, comprising:
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a flexible overtube having an elongated body with a proximal end and a distal end, the overtube defining an internal passageway extending through at least a portion thereof, and an aperture located at or near the distal end of the overtube and providing access from the exterior of the overtube to the internal passageway; a piercing element having a sharp distal tip, the piercing element being slidably disposed in the overtube and having a retracted position in which a distal end of the piercing element is located substantially proximal of the aperture and an extended position in which the distal end of the piercing element is located substantially distal of the aperture and remains within the internal passageway, and an anchor assembly comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a connector, with at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor having a through-passage of a size to accommodate the piercing element such that the at least one of the proximal anchor and the distal anchor is disposed substantially concentrically on an exterior surface of the piercing element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification