Abstract: Instruments, systems and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, and a mucosal resection device. Systems include a combination of one or more of such instruments with or without injectable agents. Embodiments of various methods for performing the procedures are also provided. In accordance with one aspect there is provided a submucosal implant device for diagnosing and treating disorders of the body. The submucosal implant device may take the form of a gastric stimulator in which signals are supplied to the muscular wall of a mammal to treat motility disorders. In accordance with yet another aspect there is provided a method for performing a submucosal medical procedure to deploy a submucosal implant device in the digestive tract of a mammal.

Abstract: Instruments, systems, implants, and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, and a mucosal resection device. A submucosal implant device for diagnosing and treating disorders of the body may be implanted. A passive submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery depot in which a therapeutic agent within the depot elutes from the depot according to a predetermined elution profile. An active submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery device that incorporates a self-contained diagnostic system to determine the appropriate delivery time and dosage of a therapeutic agent to be administered.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method of performing surgical procedures in the peritoneum is provided. The method includes providing a non-lumened flexible visualization scope, a flexible gastric pressurization tube, and at least one additional flexible manipulating instrument, wherein the scope, tube and the instruments are all discrete from each other and all smaller than 2 mm in diameter. The tools are extended into the esophagus and transgastrically through holes defined by incisions or instrument piercing in the stomach wall into the peritoneum, where they are used to visualize, insufflate and perform a peritoneal surgical procedure. Upon removal of the instruments, the holes are substantially self-sealing, and do not require surgical closure. Optionally, a biocompatible glue can be dispensed at the holes to facilitate closure.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating the interior of a blood vessel include a variety of improved catheter designs, methods and apparatus for accessing and occluding a blood vessel.

Abstract: The methods of the invention include examining a blood vessel to be treated, preferably with the aid of ultrasound, calculating a volume of the portion of the blood vessel, and treating the portion with a volume of treatment agent where the volume of treatment agent is a function of the volume of the portion of the blood vessel. Apparatus for implementing the methods are provided.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal section for retaining the embolic coil and an aperture for purging air from the device. The aperture is sized to allow air under fluid pressure to freely escape from within the catheter but to highly restrict the flow of more viscous fluids. At higher fluid pressures, the wall of the distal section expands outwardly to release the coil.

Abstract: A medical device for placing a very small embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining a headpiece with an attached embolic coil such that when the catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal tip of the catheter expands outwardly to release the headpiece and coil at the preselected position. The headpiece has a passageway which extends through the headpiece to permit air to be purged from the catheter prior to insertion of the catheter into the vessel.

Abstract: An endovascular aneurysm occlusion device comprising a detachable balloon assembly. The balloon assembly is comprised of an outer balloon and an inner balloon. The outer balloon is formed from a porous material. The occlusion device is expanded within an aneurysm and adhesive material is injected into and perfused through the outer balloon. The adhesive material forms a bond between the aneurysm, the outer balloon, and the inner balloon. The inner balloon is then deflated, which acts to reduce the size of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An embolic coil which may be placed at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a helically wound coil in which various combinations of adjacent turns are spot welded together to create a stretch resistant coil of a preselected flexibility.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a hydraulic fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position. The fluid is injected with a syringe having a pressure monitor which is contained within the body of the syringe.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position and in which a plurality of turns at the proximal portion of the embolic coil are spot welded to adjacent turns to prevent this proximal portion of the coil from elongating or stretching while also providing a coil which is very flexible.