Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.

Abstract: Multilayer structures including a porous layer and a non-porous layer are useful as buttresses when associated with a surgical stapling apparatus.

Abstract: A fastener is used during endoscopic procedures in which a suture is used in creating a predefined pouch through tissue apposition within the stomach. The fastener includes a fastener body having a tissue anchor for selectively securing the fastener body to tissue. The fastener body also includes a connection aperture shaped and dimensioned for passage of a suture therethrough.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument used to form an artificial valve for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an integrated vascular device having a sheath with a closure component and puncture sealant. The closure component is disposed on and advanceable over the exterior of the sheath and may comprise any of a variety of apparatus suited for closing a vascular puncture. Once the closure component has been actuated to close the puncture, sealant is introduced to seal the puncture. The sheath and closure component are then removed from the patient.

Abstract: A suction clip and system and method therefor. The suction clip is configured for deployment from a catheter to provide for hemostasis of injured tissue. The suction clip preferably includes a flexible distal rim configured to form sealing contact with tissue to be treated and a proximal check valve to maintain a seal of the clip to the tissue when a vacuum has been provided therebetween. The suction clip may include a visual or radio-opaque marker to aid in later location of same.

Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus that facilitates the creation of a transoral linear passageway through the stomach includes an elongated body including a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated body is generally sinusoidal shaped with at least one tissue engaging surface oriented such that a needle will pass therethrough. The elongated body also includes at least one needle passing channel respectively formed adjacent the at least one tissue engaging surface. The at least one needle passing channel generally passes through the center of the sinusoidal waveforms defined by the at least one tissue engaging surface such that a needle will pass entirely through stomach tissue contacting the tissue engaging surface of the elongated body. The elongated body further includes a suture passing channel.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, a generally U-shaped surgical staple is provided having a base and a pair of legs extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of the base respectively. The legs in use of the staple are bent through approximately 90° relative to the base. To effect a greater compression of the stapled tissue, the legs can include a penetrative portion adjacent the tip and a compressive structure which, due to its increased height relative to that of the penetrative portion, spreads the compressive forces of the staple further along the length of the incision being closed. The compressive portion also provides a depth stop to avoid the tip penetrating too deeply into the tissue in which it is deployed.

Abstract: A surgical device for suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for locating a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with a positioning device that can be configured to occlude the PFO. Methods, apparatus, and systems include the use of a positioning device that can be seated on the limbus of a septum secundum (SS). The positioning device includes a piercing member that can pierce the SS and a septum primum.

Abstract: A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing.

Abstract: The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophogeal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments.

Abstract: A device for excising tissue and closing a wound that results from excision of the tissue includes structure defining an aperture into which tissue to be excised is exposed. The device also includes a cutting member for excising the tissue, a closure member for closing the wound, and an actuatable drive member associated with the structure. The drive member is actuatable to move the cutting member relative to the aperture for excising the tissue that is exposed in the aperture and for closing the wound with the closure member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises: a treatment unit provided at one end of the insertion unit, capable of turning about one axis, and comprising a clamping section capable of opening and closing action; an operation unit provided at the other end of the insertion unit; a turn force transmission mechanism and transmitting a turn force as a force to turn the treatment unit; an opening and closing force transmission mechanism and transmitting an opening and closing force as a force to open and close the clamping section; and a common operation mechanism, provided in the operation unit, which can generate the turn force transmitted by the turn force transmission mechanism and which can also generate the opening and closing force transmitted by the opening and closing transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A device for clamping off organic tissue has a tissue clamp with clamping bars in holders. A proximal clamping bar can be displaced in a guide groove of an application crosspiece by a tappet, while the distal clamping bar maintains its position until the tissue has been clamped off. The clamping bars have guide pin, or the distal clamping bar has a fixation shoulder. The pins or shoulder fit into crosswise grooves in the application crosspiece, and thus the clamping bars can be inserted into them vertically. The proximal clamping bar has a holder pin on its base that engages into a holder bore of the distal clamping bar. This produces a force-fit and shape-fit connection with this bore, while simultaneously clamping off the organic tissue. The guide pins shear off if the force required to clamp off the organic tissue is exceeded.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for use with a hydraulic deployment catheter is provided. The vascular occlusion device includes a headpiece that has a deformable interference element which changes from an initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon an increase of hydraulic pressure within the deployment catheter. When the interference element is in the initial configuration, the headpiece is secured to the deployment catheter, and when the interference element is in the deformed configuration, the headpiece can be removed from the deployment catheter for deployment of the occlusion device.

Abstract: A living-wall fixing tool for use with endoscopes, including first and second fixing members, first and second cord like members, an elastic stopper, and a slackening means. The first fixing member is to be inserted into a second organ through a hole formed through first and second organs. The second fixing member is to be detained in the first organ. The stopper is slidably mounted on the first cord-like member. The slackening means slackens the first cord-like member. When the slackening means is operated, the second cord-like member is pulled, whereby the first fixing member is pulled into the first organ through the hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for suturing tissue and implanting prosthetic grafts, the device includes 1) at least one flexible cannula having a means to remotely manipulate the configuration of its distal end, and 2) a suction capsule component that may be incorporated or fit within or about the flexible cannula. The flexible cannula and suction capsule component are of a size that allows them to be inserted, independently or as a unit, into a natural body orifice or small surgical incision. The suction component may be used to draw tissue into an opening in the suction capsule component, enabling the at least one needle to be advanced through the at least one flexible cannula thereby passing through the tissue held by the at least one opening in the suction capsule component and thereby delivering the attached suture to the tissue.

Abstract: An article of manufacture suitable for positioning a sheet of mesh material over tissue is described. In one embodiment, the article comprises a surgical tack having a hook-type material such as Velcro® material carried by the tack, e.g., secured to the top of the head thereof. A plurality of such tacks are positioned around the site of a hernia or the like and the mesh is positioned over the site and the tacks. The mesh is made of a loop-type Velcro® material or the like which allows the mesh to be releasably engaged and disengaged from the hook-type material carried by the tacks so that the mesh can be appropriately positioned over the tissue.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for use with a hydraulic deployment catheter is provided. The vascular occlusion device includes a headpiece that has a deformable interference element which changes from an initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon an increase of hydraulic pressure within the deployment catheter. When the interference element is in the initial configuration, the headpiece is secured to the deployment catheter, and when the interference element is in the deformed configuration, the headpiece can be removed from the deployment catheter for deployment of the occlusion device.