Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090030284 | OVERTUBE INTRODUCER FOR USE IN ENDOSCOPIC BARIATRIC SURGERY - This application describes an overtube device that gives diagnostic and/or therapeutic access to body cavities using natural orifices of the body. The overtube includes an elongate flexible body having a distal portion deflectable in response to activation of a control cable. Proximal features of the overtube include an insufflations port and seals for minimizing loss of insufflations pressure around the shafts of instruments passed through the tube. In some embodiments, retractor elements are including on the distal portion of the overtube. | 01-29-2009 |
20090125040 | TISSUE ACQUISITION DEVICES AND METHODS - A device and method for acquiring tissue in preparation for tissue fastening includes an acquisition head having a pair of vacuum chambers. A vacuum source is used to draw a tissue into a first one of the chambers, and a grasper is extended into the chamber to engage the tissue, allowing vacuum pressure to be released without loss of the tissue from the chamber. Tissue is subsequently drawn into an adjacent chamber and then similarly engaged in the chamber using a second grasper. The two or more sections of acquired tissue may be held in complete or partial alignment with one another as staples or other fasteners are driven through the pinches, thus forming a four-layer tissue plication. | 05-14-2009 |
20090171383 | GASTRIC SPACE OCCUPIER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine. | 07-02-2009 |
20090236388 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236389 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236390 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236391 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236392 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236394 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236396 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236397 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236398 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236400 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236401 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - 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. | 09-24-2009 |
20100116867 | MULTI-FIRE STAPLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING ARRAYS OF STAPLES - A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples. | 05-13-2010 |
20100276469 | PLICATION TAGGING DEVICE AND METHOD - An improvement in a stapling device and method designed to capture a tissue fold between first and second members in the device and to staple and cut the fold to form a stapled tissue plication with a hole therein is disclosed. The improvement includes an engagement assembly in the first member movable from a retracted position in the first member to an extended position in the second member, and releasably attached to second member, an anchor assembly that includes the anchor, wherein (i) movement of the engagement assembly from its retracted to its extended position, through a tissue fold captured in the device between the first and second device members, is operable to engage the anchor assembly, and (ii) movement of the engagement assembly, with the anchor assembly engaged therewith, back toward its retracted position, is effective to pull at least a portion of the assembly through the hole in the stapled tissue plication formed by the device. | 11-04-2010 |
20110174864 | ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - Described herein are endoscopic staplers and methods 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 to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn into a tissue chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form. 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. | 07-21-2011 |
20110192881 | MULTI-FIRE STAPLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING ARRAYS OF STAPLES - A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples. | 08-11-2011 |
20110319924 | Gastric Space Occupier Systems And Methods Of Use - Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004677 | TISSUE-ACQUISITION AND FASTENING DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices and methods for acquiring and fastening tissues folds within an internal organ, such as the stomach, and for applying the methods and devices to producing reductions in organ volume or repair of bariatric procedures, are disclosed. An exemplary method for forming a continuous laterally extending tissue fold involves forming a succession of laterally extending folds having adjacent overlapping fold portions. One exemplary tissue-acquisition device has an open-end roller-and-arm structure that allows individual tissue folds to be formed and fastened, then advanced to an adjacent region within the stomach, for capture of a new fold that will form an extension of the existing fold(s). | 01-05-2012 |
20130098967 | ENDOSCOPIC PLICATION DEVICE AND METHOD - In a method of stapling layers of tissue within a body cavity, an engaging instrument is passed between a stapler cartridge and anvil and used to engage a region of tissue. The engaging instrument is retracted to move the engaged tissue into the stapling position, and driving staples from the cartridge through at least two layers of the engaged tissue. The method and associated system may be used to form plications in body tissue, such as stomach wall tissue. Staples simultaneously driven thorugh tissue may simultaneously capture a reinforcing elements positioned adjacent the cartridge and/or anvil prior to stapling. | 04-25-2013 |
20130138120 | TISSUE ACQUISITION DEVICES AND METHODS - A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples. | 05-30-2013 |
20130165908 | POSITIONING DEVICE AND ARTICULATION ASSEMBLY FOR REMOTE POSITIONING OF A TOOL - A device for use in guiding the position of a surgical tool from a remote location is disclosed. The device includes a handle, an elongate shaft mounted on the handle, an elongate articulation assembly carried at its proximal end to the shaft and adapted to receive the surgical tool at the assembly's distal end, and a cable operatively connecting the handle to the articulation assembly. The position of the articulation assembly is controlled by rotating a knob on the handle, which moves the articulation into different angled configurations depending on whether the knob is rotated in clockwise or counterclockwise directions. | 06-27-2013 |
20130184723 | TISSUE-ACQUISITION DEVICE AND METHOD - Described herein is an improved device and method for acquiring, and optionally, fastening a tissue fold. The device has an improved configuration for forming a single, two-layer tissue fold. | 07-18-2013 |
20130299549 | PLICATION TAGGING DEVICE AND METHOD - An improvement in a stapling device and method designed to capture a tissue fold between first and second members in the device to staple and cut the fold to form a stapled tissue plication with a hole therein. The improvement includes an engagement assembly in the first member movable from a retracted position in the first member to an extended position in the second member, and releasably attached to second member, an anchor assembly that includes the anchor, wherein (i) movement of the engagement assembly from the retracted to extended position, through a tissue fold captured in the device, is operable to engage the anchor assembly, and (ii) movement of the engagement assembly, with the anchor assembly engaged therewith, to its retracted position, is effective to pull at least a portion of the assembly through the hole in the stapled tissue plication. | 11-14-2013 |
20130306704 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STOMACH PARTITIONING - A device and method for remodeling or partitioning a body cavity, hollow organ or tissue tract includes graspers operable to engage two or more sections of tissue within a body cavity and to draw the engaged tissue between a first and second members of a tissue remodeling tool. The two or more pinches of tissue are held in complete or partial alignment with one another as staples or other fasteners are driven t9hrough the pinches, thus forming a four-layer tissue plication. Over time, adhesions formed between the opposed serosal layers create strong bonds that can facilitate retention of the plication over extended durations, despite the forces imparted on them by stomach movement. A cut or cut-out may be formed in the plication during or separate from the stapling step to promote edge-to-edge healing effects that will enhance tissue knitting/adhesion. | 11-21-2013 |
20140046139 | OVERTUBE INTRODUCER FOR USE IN ENDOSCOPIC BARIATRIC SURGERY - This application describes an overtube device that gives diagnostic and/or therapeutic access to body cavities using natural orifices of the body. The overtube includes an elongate flexible body having a distal portion deflectable in response to activation of a control cable. Proximal features of the overtube include an insufflations port and seals for minimizing loss of insufflations pressure around the shafts of instruments passed through the tube. In some embodiments, retractor elements are including on the distal portion of the overtube. | 02-13-2014 |
20140231489 | MULTI-FIRE STAPLING SYSTEMS - A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples. | 08-21-2014 |
20140374465 | STAPLER FOR FORMING MULTIPLE TISSUE PLICATIONS - A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples. | 12-25-2014 |
20150039011 | GASTRIC SPACE OCCUPIER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine. | 02-05-2015 |