Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering therapeutic agents (TA) within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering TAs into the intestinal wall (IW) or other GI location. Embodiments also provide various TA preparations (e.g., insulin or IgG) configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the IW and degrade to release the TA into the bloodstream where they exhibit a selected plasma concentration profile which may have selected pharmacokinetic parameters. The preparation can be operably coupled to a delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the IW. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to a delivery mechanism having one or more balloons or other expandable devices which are expandable responsive to a condition in the small intestine or other GI lumen to advance the preparation out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an implantable gastric stimulation system within the stomach. The stimulation system includes an electronics anchor, electrode lead anchor, implantable pulse generator and external programmer. The electronics anchor is configured to attach to the stomach wall at a first location and the electrode lead anchor configured to attach to the stomach wall at a second location. The electrode lead anchor includes one or more electrodes configured to contact the stomach wall and a flexible lead portion coupled to the one or more electrodes at one end with an the electrical connector portion at the other end. The implantable pulse generator has electronic circuitry and is attached to the electronics anchor; the electronic circuitry is connected to the electrical connector of the electrode lead anchor and can communicate with the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an implantable gastric stimulation system within the stomach. The stimulation system includes an electronics anchor, electrode lead anchor, implantable pulse generator and external programmer. The electronics anchor is configured to attach to the stomach wall at a first location and the electrode lead anchor configured to attach to the stomach wall at a second location. The electrode lead anchor includes one or more electrodes configured to contact the stomach wall and a flexible lead portion coupled to the one or more electrodes at one end with an the electrical connector portion at the other end. The implantable pulse generator has electronic circuitry and is attached to the electronics anchor; the electronic circuitry is connected to the electrical connector of the electrode lead anchor and can communicate with the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: An exemplary forceps system for use within a tool channel of an endoscope comprises an elongated body extending from a proximal end and a distal end having one or more internal lumens. An actuator is slidably positioned within a first lumen, and actuatable jaws are removeably coupled to a first end of the actuator near the distal end. A handle is removeably coupleable to the proximal end of the body, the removable handle having a forceps actuator operatively engageable with a second end of the actuator so as to control the actuatable jaws when the handle is coupled to the body. A single or double balloon closure device having an inflatable anchor on a peritoneal side and a narrow inflatable portion, is also provided. The narrow portion may be shaped to follow the shape of the transgastric cut.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various methods and systems for positioning a guide wire between a patient's mouth and a skin site via an implant tract in a stomach. The method includes locating the desired tissue site in the stomach, such as with an endoscope or other suitable instrument. In some embodiments the desired tissue site is marked inside the stomach with a visible dye or light visible from the peritoneal cavity. An implant tract is created through the stomach wall at the desired tissue site, either from “inside-out” or “outside-in”. The implant tract may be made using a RF catheter, RF guide wire, an endoneedle, or other suitable instrument. The size of the implant tract depends on the device to be placed there, such as a stimulation lead. Diameter sizes of the tract may vary from 0.014? to 0.250?. An access hole or access port is created at a skin site, using a Verres needle, RF catheter, RF guide wire, an endoneedle, or other suitable instrument.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an implantable gastric stimulation system within the stomach. The stimulation system includes an electronics anchor, electrode lead anchor, implantable pulse generator and external programmer. The electronics anchor is configured to attach to the stomach wall at a first location and the electrode lead anchor configured to attach to the stomach wall at a second location. The electrode lead anchor includes one or more electrodes configured to contact the stomach wall and a flexible lead portion coupled to the one or more electrodes at one end with an the electrical connector portion at the other end. The implantable pulse generator has electronic circuitry and is attached to the electronics anchor; the electronic circuitry is connected to the electrical connector of the electrode lead anchor and can communicate with the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: An aspiration needle apparatus for collecting cell samples from tissue comprising a vacuum container having an enclosed evacuated space evacuated to a subambient pressure and sealed by a penetrable diaphragm. An adapter has a recess to receive the vacuum container. A needle is carried by the adapter and has a distal extremity serving as an aspiration needle to collect the cell sample and has a proximal extremity disposed in the recess and is capable of penetrating the diaphragm of the vacuum container to couple the evacuated space to the flow passage of the needle to supply a subambient pressure to the distal extremity of the needle. An on-off mechanism carried by the adapter includes yieldable means and a member mounted in the recess actuatable by axial movement of the vacuum container into the recess against the force of the yieldable means disposed within the recess.

Abstract: An aspiration needle apparatus for collecting cell samples from tissue comprising a vacuum container having an enclosed evacuated space evacuated to a subambient pressure and sealed by a penetrable diaphragm. An adapter is provided having a recess which is adapted to receive the vacuum container. A needle assembly is carried by the adapter and has a distal extremity serving as an aspiration needle to collect the cell sample. The proximal extremity of the needle assembly is disposed in said recess and is capable of penetrating the diaphragm of the vacuum container to couple the evacuated space to the flow passage of the needle assembly to supply a subambient pressure to the distal extremity of the needle assembly. An on-off mechanism is carried by the adapter and includes a member engaged by the vacuum container and mounted in the recess for axial movement in the recess.