Method and apparatus for minimally-invasive fundoplication
First Claim
1. A method for non-invasive treatment of internal body tissue comprising the steps of:
- inserting a device through the mouth and esophagus of a patient to a predetermined location near the gastro-esophageal junction;
viewing portions of the stomach and esophagus with the device;
engaging a portion of the inside wall of the stomach remote from the gastro-esophageal junction with the device;
moving the portion of the inside wall with the device to a location adjacent the esophagus; and
securing the portion to the esophagus with the device;
wherein the step of engaging includes the step of gripping with a gripping device; and
wherein the step of gripping includes the step of extending a plurality of gripping fingers from the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing a non-invasive fundoplication. The method involves: inserting a device through a patient'"'"'s mouth and esophagus to a location near the gastro-esophageal junction; viewing portions of the stomach and esophagus; engaging the inside anterior wall of the fundus with the device; moving the fundus to a location adjacent the esophagus with the device; and securing the fundus to the side of the esophagus with the device. The device includes a flexible conduit (12) and a gastroscope (14) extending through the conduit. A stapler (16) also extends through the conduit. The stapler (16) sits at the bottom of the conduit in the esophagus just above the gastro-esophageal junction. A gripper (22) extends through and beyond the conduit. The gripper (22) has a gripping head (24) capable of gripping the fundus, and a linkage (28) that can move the gripping head and the gripped part of the fundus to the remote side of the esophagus where the stapler (16) will staple the fundus to the esophagus, using the gripper as an anvil.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for non-invasive treatment of internal body tissue comprising the steps of:
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inserting a device through the mouth and esophagus of a patient to a predetermined location near the gastro-esophageal junction; viewing portions of the stomach and esophagus with the device; engaging a portion of the inside wall of the stomach remote from the gastro-esophageal junction with the device; moving the portion of the inside wall with the device to a location adjacent the esophagus; and securing the portion to the esophagus with the device; wherein the step of engaging includes the step of gripping with a gripping device; and wherein the step of gripping includes the step of extending a plurality of gripping fingers from the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for performing a non-invasive fundoplication including the steps of:
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inserting a device through the mouth and esophagus of a patient to a predetermined location near the gastro-esophageal junction; viewing portions of the stomach and esophagus with the device; engaging a portion of the inside anterior wall of the stomach with the device at a location between the greater curvature of the stomach and the gastro-esophageal junction; moving the portion of the inside wall with the device to a location adjacent the esophagus; and securing the portion to the esophagus with the device at a location remote from the fundus; wherein the step of engaging includes the step of gripping with a gripping device; and wherein the step of gripping includes the step of extending a plurality of gripping fingers from the device.
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10. An apparatus for treating internal body parts comprising:
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a flexible elongated conduit having a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end; a viewing device disposed through the conduit; a fastening device disposed through the conduit, the fastening device having an actuator at the proximal end and a fastener applicator at the distal end; and an elongated gripper mechanism extending through the conduit, the gripper mechanism including a gripping head disposed at a distal end of the gripper mechanism capable of moving between a starting configuration and a gripping configuration in which the gripping head grips desired body tissue, a manipulable control at a proximal end of the gripper for controlling the position and configuration of the gripping head, and an elongated linkage extending along an axis to interconnect the control and the gripping head, the linkage being adapted to move the gripping head in response to manipulation of the control;
wherein the gripping head includes a block having a gripping face and a plurality of gripping fingers pivotally attached to the block for movement between a retracted position behind the gripping face and an extended position where the gripping fingers extend beyond the gripping face to grip desired tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for treating internal body parts comprising:
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A flexible elongated conduit having a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end; a viewing device disposed through the conduit; a staple delivery assembly disposed through the conduit, the staple delivery assembly having an actuator at the proximal end, a staple applicator at the distal end, and a staple conduit interconnecting the actuator and the applicator; and an elongated gripper mechanism extending through the conduit, the gripper mechanism including a gripping head disposed at a distal end of the gripper mechanism capable of moving between a starting configuration and a gripping configuration in which the gripping head grips desired body tissue with a plurality of gripping fingers, a manipulable control at a proximal end of the gripper for controlling the position and configuration of the gripping head, an elongated linkage extending along an axis to interconnect the control and the gripping head, the linkage being adapted to move the gripping head in response to manipulation of the control, the linkage defining an axis extending from the control to the gripping head, and the linkage including a plurality of links disposed in series along the axis, and a plurality of elongated core elements extending along the axis for controlling the gripping head;
wherein the gripping head includes a block having a gripping face and a plurality of gripping fingers pivotally attached to the block for movement between a retracted position behind the gripping face and an extended position where the gripping fingers extend beyond the gripping face to grip desired tissue.
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Specification