Method and apparatus for endoscopic repair of the lower esophageal sphincter

• US 6,387,104 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Gellman, Barry N., Pugsley, Charles H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, TAN-UYEN THI
• Application Number:
  US09/432,575
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 606/232, 606/153, 606/139, 606/213, 606/192, 606/151, 606/152, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00827 Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 using clamps, folding means or the like

Abstract

Method and apparatus for repairing the lower esophageal sphincter is provided. The method includes placing the lower esophagus and the fundus adjacent to one another, placing a restraint near a surface of the lower esophagus, placing a second restraint near a surface of the fundus, and then drawing them together to secure the fundus to the lower esophagus. The apparatus includes a pointed carrier containing a first anchor and a second anchor, the second anchor containing a sclerosing agent.

Claims

1. A method for adhering a first tissue having a first surface and a second surface to a second tissue having a first surface and a second surface comprising:

positioning the first surface of the first tissue adjacent to the first surface of the second tissue;

positioning a first restraint adjacent to the second surface of the first tissue;

positioning a second restraint adjacent to the second surface of the second tissue;

placing an irritant between the first surface of the first tissue and the first surface of the second tissue;

drawing said first restraint and the first surface of the first tissue towards said second restraint and the first surface of the second tissue;

placing said irritant on a third restraint; and

placing said third restraint between the first surface of the first tissue and the first surface of the second tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said irritant is a sclerosing agent.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a guy wire passes through said first restraint and said second restraint.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said restraints contains nitinol.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first tissue is the wall of the esophagus and the second tissue is the fundal wall of the stomach.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

punching a pointed carrier through the wall of the esophagus and though the fundal wall of the stomach.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said pointed carrier is a hypotube.

3. A method for adhering a first tissue having a first surface and a second surface to a second tissue having a first surface and a second surface comprising:

positioning the first surface of the first tissue adjacent to the first surface of the second tissue;

positioning a first restraint adjacent to the second surface of the first tissue;

positioning a second restraint adjacent to the second surface of the second tissue;

placing an irritant between the first surface of the first tissue and the first surface of the second tissue; and

drawing said first restraint and the first surface of the first tissue towards said second restraint and the first surface of the second tissue,

wherein said first restraint and said second restraint are made from genetically engineered tissue.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

securing said first restraint and said second restraint together.