Abstract: An endoscopic device in which the empty spaces between the plurality of tubes, wires, and cables are utilized as a channel that enables liquid or gas to flow from the handle section to the distal tip is described. Also described is a method of reducing the diameter of an endoscope device by utilizing the empty spaces between the plurality of tubes, wires, and cables as a channel that enables liquid or gas to flow from the handle section to the distal tip. Additionally a distal tip comprising a pattern of alternating grooves and lands on its outer surface and a cap that fits tightly over the lands is described. The tight fitting cap changes the grooves into closed channels through which liquid or gas can flow.

Abstract: A video camera head is comprised of at least two rigid printed circuit boards (PCBS) arranged in parallel planes. The at least two PCBs are mechanically supported one above the other by pins made of an electricity conducting material that conduct electrical power from the bottom PCB to electronic components or illumination means mounted on the other PCBs and signals from a solid state sensor chip mounted on one of the other PCBs of the at least two PCBs to the bottom PCB. Several embodiments of the video camera head are described.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: In a first aspect the invention is a video camera head comprising an objective lens assembly and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal. The video camera head has a maximum outer diameter of 1.1 mm or less and the length of the objective lens assembly is 2.5 mm or less. In a second aspect the invention is a visualization probe comprising illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal. The visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 2.8 mm or less. In a third aspect the invention is a medical device comprising a visualization probe comprised of illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: The invention is a medical device comprising an insertion shaft having an articulation section located near its distal end. The medical device comprises one or more alignment systems to assist in bringing two portions of the insertion shaft that are located on opposite sides of the articulation section into alignment.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion. The stapling device has a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion. The staple firing portion and the anvil portion are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of the flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in either of the staple firing portion or the anvil portion are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: The invention is a stapler device comprising an anvil and staple cartridge located in the distal tip of an endoscopic device. The staple cartridge is comprised of a fixed proximal portion and a moveable distal portion, which slides into said fixed portion. Means are provided for moving the anvil back and forth, such that the anvil pushes against the distal face of the staple cartridge thereby pushing the moveable portion of the staple cartridge into the fixed portion and causing the staples to be ejected from said staple cartridge passively without said staples moving. The stapler of the invention has two embodiments, a side fastening embodiment and a front fastening embodiment. The endoscopic device that comprises the stapler can be used to perform many different stapling tasks, e.g. closure of a hole in the wall of an internal organ.

Abstract: The invention is a medical device comprising an insertion shaft having an articulation section located near its distal end. The medical device comprises one or more alignment systems to assist in bringing two portions of the insertion shaft that are located on opposite sides of the articulation section into alignment.

Abstract: The invention is an articulation section for an endoscope (10). The articulation section (50) is characterized in that each one of its vertebrae (52) is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled. This arrangement allows the replacement of individual ones of the vertebrae and/or the replacement of individual ones of the wires, cables, fibers, and tubes that pass through the vertebrae section without having to disassemble and reassemble the entire articulation section.

Abstract: The invention is an endoscopic device comprising an elongated flexible insertion tube, either one or two linear staplers permanently fixed to the distal tip of the flexible insertion tube, and a video camera on the distal tip to provide real time viewing of the stapling site. Each of the linear staplers is adapted to insert one or more rows of staples into tissue held between the stapler jaws. At least one of said staplers comprises a knife blade that is movable parallel to the rows of staples to cut the tissue after staples have been fired. The endoscopic device of the invention can be used in a variety of surgical procedures.

Abstract: The invention is a method of lowering the gastroesophageal junction below the diaphragm of a patient with a hiatal hernia during the performance of surgical procedures performed via natural orifices. The method comprises applying positive pressure ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) to the patient.

Abstract: The invention is a stapling device comprised of an articulation section having a staple cartridge containing staples and parts of a staple-firing mechanism located at one end and an anvil portion located at the other end. The front surfaces of the anvil and the cartridge are curved. When the articulation section is bent the curved front surfaces of the anvil and the cartridge are brought opposite each other. As the distance between said curved surfaces is reduced, their curvature helps to correct transverse misalignment and to bring the anvil and the cartridge into the correct working relationship.

Abstract: A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

Abstract: The invention is a transgastric method for the endoscopic partial fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The method makes use of an articulated endoscope, which is introduced through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach of the patient. A cutting tool is introduced through the working channel of the endoscope to cut a hole in the wall of the stomach. The endoscope is pushed through the hole and a grabbing tool is introduced through the working channel and used to grab the tissue at a location on the outer surface of the stomach and move the grabbed tissue close to the esophagus. The grabbed tissue is then stapled to the esophagus using a stapling device that is an integral part of the endoscope. If desired, after stapling the endoscope can be rotated one or more times and the procedure repeated.

Abstract: The invention is an imager assembly for a miniature camera head. The assembly comprises an imaging sensor having conductive leads; an objective lens system placed on top of the sensor; circuitry, mounted beneath the imaging sensor, for driving the sensor and amplifying the electrical signals; and conductive wires electrically linking the internal components of the assembly and for linking the assembly to remote locations. The conductive leads are bent and the circuitry and conductive wires are arranged and mounted such that the dimensions in a plane parallel to the sensor plane of the camera head are approximately equal to or less than the dimensions in the plane of the sensor. The circuitry is capable of delivering signals produced by the imaging sensor for further processing and the components of the imager, except for the imaging surface of the sensor and the objective lens system, are encapsulated by an isolating material.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes ultrasonic emitters, receivers, and reflectors for the precise alignment of parts of an endoscope relative to each other. The methods for determining the relative position of two parts of the endoscope are based on measuring the distance between them based on the use of one or more transducers or arrays of transducers functioning as transmitters of ultrasonic signals and one or more transducers or arrays of transducers functioning as receivers of the ultrasonic signals. In preferred embodiments of the invention, at least one of the receivers is replaced by a reflector and at least one of the transmitters also functions as a receiver.