Non-invasive apparatus for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

• US 5,897,562 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Van Leeuwen, Timothy O., Bolanos, Henry, Blewett, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/946,968
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/143, 606/151, 606/219, 227/19, 227/175-180
• US Class Current: 606/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/301 with three legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter

Abstract

Instrumentation for transoral treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an instrument includes a remotely operable invagination device for atraumatically approximating the lower esophagus and fundus of the stomach and for invaginating the gastroesophageal junction into the stomach thereby involuting the surrounding fundic wall. The same or a separate instrument includes a remotely operable surgical fastening instrument for fastening together the invaginated lower esophagus and fundic wall. A method of surgically treating GERD is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a staple-carrying cartridge having at least two rows of staples;

at least one staple ejecting member longitudinally slidably disposed within the staple-carrying cartridge; and

at least two anvil members physically spaced from each other, wherein each anvil member is movable from a first position, disposed substantially parallel with the staple-carrying cartridge, to a second position, disposed at an angle relative to the staple-carrying cartridge.