Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical device includes a stent deployment device that includes a stent, a dilator, and a cutting element that can be selectively extended from and retracted into the surgical device. In some embodiments, the surgical device can be used to implant a stent in a patient by passing the surgical device through a natural orifice of the patient, accessing the peritoneal cavity with the surgical device, translumenally accessing the lumen of the small intestine with the surgical device, passing a stent deployment device into the lumen with the surgical device, and expanding the stent within the lumen using the surgical device. In other embodiments, the surgical device can be used to perform endoscopic translumenal pancreatic pseudocyst drainage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes a body, an elongated shaft that extends from the body, the elongated shaft ending in a distal tip, a first anchoring device that is fixed to the elongated shaft, and a second anchoring device that is extendable from the elongated shaft. In one embodiment, an endoscope advancing apparatus includes a first anchoring device adapted to be fixed to an elongated shaft of an endoscope, and a second anchoring device adapted to be mounted to an opposite side of the elongated shaft in a manner in which the second anchoring device can be axially extended from the elongated shaft.