Abstract: A bite block 20 for use during transoral medical procedures has a main lumen 42 and a side mount 110 for receiving a separately inserted airway 160. The airway 110 may be a commercially available nasopharangeal airway which is inserted in mount 110 and extends into the oral cavity so as to effectively function as oral pharangeal airway.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach.

Abstract: Bite blocks providing an instrument lumen 62 for use during transoral medical procedures may be made from a material having a Shore D hardness less than 60 for improved patient comfort. An air way lumen 64 may be provide in side by side arrangement to the instrument lumen 62 for maintaining the patient's airway. The air way 70 may have a concave guiding channel 72 for helping to guide the instruments down the esophagus.

Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of devices (and parts thereof) are disclosed that can be used in treating Barrett's esophagus. Embodiments may have a suction cavity or window portion having elongated planar floor and ramped end surfaces with suction holes on one or both end surfaces. Examples include one or more fluid injection needles and parts for controlling fluid injection rate based on the rate of needle withdrawal. Embodiments can include one or more injection needles and receiving holes, with the ability to allow injectate to flow into tissue before withdrawing the needle(s), and/or lockout mechanism to prevent resection of tissue by a cutting mechanism prior to injection of fluid. Methods for treatment are also disclosed, and can include inserting a needle completely through tissue, and injecting fluid into tissue while withdrawing the needle back through the tissue, and/or injecting fluid into tissue while moving the needle forward through tissue.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastroplasty is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes a pair of elongated suction cavities that capture and excise portions of the anterior and posterior stomach walls and apply sutures to the captured tissue, which, when drawn tight, serve to create a modified lumen in the stomach.

Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of devices (and parts thereof) are disclosed that can be used in treating Barrett's esophagus. Embodiments may have a suction cavity or window portion having elongated planar floor and ramped end surfaces with suction holes on one or both end surfaces. Examples include one or more fluid injection needles and parts for controlling fluid injection rate based on the rate of needle withdrawal. Embodiments can include one or more injection needles and receiving holes, with the ability to allow injectate to flow into tissue before withdrawing the needle(s), and/or lockout mechanism to prevent resection of tissue by a cutting mechanism prior to injection of fluid. Methods for treatment are also disclosed, and can include inserting a needle completely through tissue, and injecting fluid into tissue while withdrawing the needle back through the tissue, and/or injecting fluid into tissue while moving the needle forward through tissue.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures includes an excision device 100 and a suturing device 200. The excision device 100 has a proximally tapered suction cavity 131 with extendable wires 160 to prevent capture of unwanted tissue. The suturing device 200 uses a squeeze trigger 202 to drive an array of circular needles 232.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for promoting tissue adhesion, which utilizes the healing process and scar tissue formation to bond two tissue surfaces together. A tissue injury is accomplished by destroying the mucosal layer of tissue. After the injury is initiated, the tissue is preferably held in close contact by a tissue apposition means such as a suture, staple or clip device placed adjacent to the treatment site. The tissue injury may be initiated by electrical/radiofrequency energy; chemical or mechanical means integrated with the tissue apposition device or delivered by a separate instrument such as an electrocautery catheter through an endoscope. As scar tissue created by the injury forms, the tissue surfaces become bonded together in a permanent union.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for promoting tissue adhesion, which utilizes the healing process and scar tissue formation to bond two tissue surfaces together. A tissue injury is accomplished by destroying the mucosal layer of tissue. After the injury is initiated, the tissue is preferably held in close contact by a tissue apposition means such as a suture, staple or clip device placed adjacent to the treatment site. The tissue injury may be initiated by electrical/radiofrequency energy or chemical or mechanical means integrated with the tissue apposition device or delivered by a separate instrument such as an electrocautery catheter through an endoscope. As scar tissue created by the injury forms, the tissue surfaces become bonded together in a permanent union.

Abstract: A bite block 20 for use during transoral medical procedures has a main lumen 42 and a side mount 110 for receiving a separately inserted airway 160. The airway 110 may be a commercially available nasopharangeal airway which is inserted in mount 110 and extends into the oral cavity so as to effectively function as oral pharangeal airway.

Abstract: Bite blocks providing an instrument lumen 62 for use during transoral medical procedures may be made from a material having a Shore D hardness less than 60 for improved patient comfort. An air way lumen 64 may be provide in side by side arrangement to the instrument lumen 62 for maintaining the patient's airway. The air way 70 may have a concave guiding channel 72 for helping to guide the instruments down the esophagus.

Abstract: Dilators configured to be used over the top of conventional endoscopes are disclosed. Dilator 100 includes a dilating surface 340 and an endoscope outlet 342 at its distal end, the inner diameter of which is chosen to closely approximate the outer diameter of the endoscope. In use, the endoscope may serve as a guide to the dilator 100 both during initial and during dilation of, for example, an esophageal stricture. A safety handle 310 is also provided which gives feedback to the operator based on the amount of applied axial force, which helps to reduce the chances of injury.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for promoting tissue adhesion, which utilizes the healing process and scar tissue formation to bond two tissue surfaces together. A tissue injury is accomplished by destroying the mucosal layer of tissue. After the injury is initiated, the tissue is preferably held in close contact by a tissue apposition means such as a suture, staple or clip device placed adjacent to the treatment site. The tissue injury may be initiated by electrical/radiofrequency energy; chemical or mechanical means integrated with the tissue apposition device or delivered by a separate instrument such as an electrocautery catheter through an endoscope. As scar tissue created by the injury forms, the tissue surfaces become bonded together in a permanent union.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for percutaneously providing a stabilized platform for performing endoscopic surgery. The disclosed instrumentation includes an endoscope, a fixation catheter, a loop suture, and a rigid mount. A loop end of the loop suture is inserted into the gastrointestinal lumen through the fixation catheter and encompasses the endoscope positioned within the gastrointestinal lumen. The thread end of the loop suture remains external of the patient and is tautly connected to the rigid mount to provide the desired stability to the endoscope for the performance of an endo-surgical operation. Distal to the stabilizing assembly, the endoscope has articulated joints for positioning the distal end of the endoscope in close proximity to the surgical site, and includes manipulator arms which extend beyond the distal face of the endoscope to facilitate access to the surgical site.

Abstract: An endoscopic suture punch for use in endosurgical procedures, especially an anti-reflux procedure. This suture punch has an elongate frame and a handle mounted to one end of the frame. A pair of opposed jaws having tissue punches is mounted to the other end of the frame. One jaw is rigidly mounted to the frame while the other jaw is movably mounted to the frame, although both jaws can be movably mounted. An actuation handle is mounted to the frame for actuating the jaws. The suture punch has a suture pathway through the frame, the punches and the jaws for receiving the suture. There is a suture drive mechanism mounted to the frame for moving the suture through the suture pathway. The endoscopic suture punch is used with an invaginator for performing an anti-reflux procedure. The endoscopic suture punch may typically be used for suturing and other endoscopic procedures.

Abstract: Operating channel/insufflation port assemblies are disclosed herein which facilitate the operation of percutaneous surgical procedures with remotely operable instrumentation. In one of the disclosed assemblies, an operating channel/insufflation port member defines an operating channel sized to receive remotely operable instrumentation, and an insufflation lumen. The port assembly is anchorable in place, extending percutaneously into the stomach with remotely operable instrumentation being advanceable through the operating channel and into the stomach, and with CO.sub.2 being passable into the stomach through the insufflation lumen. An insufflation valve member, connectable to said insufflation port, provides means for variably controlling the supply of CO.sub.2 into the stomach while a sealing member prevents gas leakage through the operating channel during operation/insufflation by providing a seal between the port member and the remotely operable instrumentation received therethrough.

Abstract: A technique for invaginating the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction is disclosed, as well as an invagination device useful in the described technique. The invagination device includes an introducer guide which has an outside diameter approximating that of the esophagus and a plurality of needle-receiving lumens extending to its outer diametric surface. The invagination device also has an engagement assembly which includes 10 needles, each having a retracted position in which they lie within the needle-receiving lumens of the introducer guide, and an extended position in which they extend out of the lumens and project radially from the guide for engagement with the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable anvil surgical stapler which can be collapsed and inserted through a small hole in a patient's body and also through a small hole formed in the side of a hollow organ. The stapler is equipped with an anvil which can be expanded outwardly after placement inside the patient's body. Staples are then driven through the tissue layers to securely fasten the wall of the organ to the abdominal wall or other external tissue layer of the patient's body. This rigid attachment of the organ to the abdominal wall allows subsequent surgical procedures to be performed without large incisions and without constant surgical assistance to maintain proper access to the interior of the organ.