Abstract: Devices and methods for acquiring and fastening tissues folds within an internal organ, such as the stomach, and for applying the methods and devices to producing reductions in organ volume or repair of bariatric procedures, are disclosed. An exemplary method for forming a continuous laterally extending tissue fold involves forming a succession of laterally extending folds having adjacent overlapping fold portions. One exemplary tissue-acquisition device has an open-end roller-and-arm structure that allows individual tissue folds to be formed and fastened, then advanced to an adjacent region within the stomach, for capture of a new fold that will form an extension of the existing fold(s).

Abstract: An animal identification system includes: a tray defining a set of tag receptacles; a set of tags, each tag defining a tag base and a barb and located in a tag receptacle in the tray; a set of backing plates, each backing plate defining a receiver and located in a tag receptacle in the tray with the receiver coaxial with a barb of a corresponding tag occupying the tag receptacle; and an applicator configured to insert into a tag receptacle in the tray, to retrieve a tag and a backing plate from the tag receptacle while maintaining a receiver of the backing plate coaxial with a barb of the tag, and to pierce an appendage of an animal and assemble the backing plate onto the barb of the tag in a continuous actuation motion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for acquiring and fastening tissues folds within an internal organ, such as the stomach, and for applying the methods and devices to producing reductions in organ volume or repair of bariatric procedures, are disclosed. An exemplary method for forming a continuous laterally extending tissue fold involves forming a succession of laterally extending folds having adjacent overlapping fold portions. One exemplary tissue-acquisition device has an open-end roller-and-arm structure that allows individual tissue folds to be formed and fastened, then advanced to an adjacent region within the stomach, for capture of a new fold that will form an extension of the existing fold(s).

Abstract: A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for endoscopically implanting a medical implant, including an anchor, within a body cavity such as adjacent the gastroesophageal junction in a human stomach. The system includes one or more anchors positionable within one or more openings formed in tissue within the body cavity, such as cutouts formed in plicated body tissue. Tools are disclosed for positioning the anchors within the openings, and for coupling a food restrictor to the anchors.

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, interconnect apparatuses are provided herein to couple flexible circuits to control circuits. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a first portion housing a control circuit and a second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit. The second portion can comprise a first seat housing and a second seat housing, which together can form a housing around the flexible circuit. The control circuit can conductively couple to the flexible circuit when the first portion couples to the second portion. The flexible circuit can be included in an apparel item and comprise a conductive trace. The conductive trace can comprise a conductive composition. The first seat housing can comprise a lateral wall and a flange extending peripherally from the lateral wall. The flange can comprise a longitudinal co-extensive lateral recess flanking the flexible circuit.

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, interconnect apparatuses are provided herein to couple flexible circuits to control circuits. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a first portion housing a control circuit and a second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit. The second portion can comprise a first seat housing and a second seat housing, which together can form a housing around the flexible circuit. The control circuit can conductively couple to the flexible circuit when the first portion couples to the second portion. The flexible circuit can be included in an apparel item and comprise a conductive trace. The conductive trace can comprise a conductive composition. The first seat housing can comprise a lateral wall and a flange extending peripherally from the lateral wall. The flange can comprise a longitudinal co-extensive lateral recess flanking the flexible circuit.

Abstract: Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, interconnect apparatuses are provided herein to couple flexible circuits to control circuits. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a first portion housing one or more control circuits and a second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit. In some embodiments, the first portion may be configured to be coupled to the second portion such that the control circuit can be conductively coupled to the flexible circuit when the first portion is coupled to the second portion. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to capture temperature readings. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to capture proximity readings. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to include one or more communications devices.

Abstract: Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved device and method for acquiring, and optionally, fastening a tissue fold. The device has an improved configuration for forming a single, two-layer tissue fold.

Abstract: A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples.

Abstract: A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved device and method for acquiring, and optionally, fastening a tissue fold. The device has an improved configuration for forming a single, two-layer tissue fold.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved device and method for acquiring, and optionally, fastening a tissue fold. The device has an improved configuration for forming a single, two-layer tissue fold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for endoscopically implanting a medical implant, including an anchor, within a body cavity such as adjacent the gastroesophageal junction in a human stomach. The system includes one or more anchors positionable within one or more openings formed in tissue within the body cavity, such as cutouts formed in plicated body tissue. Tools are disclosed for positioning the anchors within the openings, and for coupling a food restrictor to the anchors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for endoscopically implanting a medical implant, including an anchor, within a body cavity such as adjacent the gastroesophageal junction in a human stomach. The system includes one or more anchors positionable within one or more openings formed in tissue within the body cavity, such as cutouts formed in plicated body tissue. Tools are disclosed for positioning the anchors within the openings, and for coupling a food restrictor to the anchors.

Abstract: Devices and methods for acquiring and fastening tissues folds within an internal organ, such as the stomach, and for applying the methods and devices to producing reductions in organ volume or repair of bariatric procedures, are disclosed. An exemplary method for forming a continuous laterally extending tissue fold involves forming a succession of laterally extending folds having adjacent overlapping fold portions. One exemplary tissue-acquisition device has an open-end roller-and-arm structure that allows individual tissue folds to be formed and fastened, then advanced to an adjacent region within the stomach, for capture of a new fold that will form an extension of the existing fold(s).

Abstract: A device and method for remodeling or partitioning a body cavity, hollow organ or tissue tract includes graspers operable to engage two or more sections of tissue within a body cavity and to draw the engaged tissue between a first and second members of a tissue remodeling tool. The two or more pinches of tissue are held in complete or partial alignment with one another as staples or other fasteners are driven through the pinches, thus forming a four-layer tissue plication. Over time, adhesions formed between the opposed serosal layers create strong bonds that can facilitate retention of the plication over extended durations, despite the forces imparted on them by stomach movement. A cut or cut-out may be formed in the plication during or separate from the stapling step to promote edge-to-edge healing effects that will enhance tissue knitting/adhesion.

Abstract: Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.

Abstract: Systems for controlling obesity utilize a number of space occupiers positioned in the stomach to reduce the effective volume of the stomach. Such arrangements provides sufficient stomach volume consumption to induce weight loss, but enable use of space occupiers that are proportioned to minimize the threat of obstruction even if they should migrate into the intestine. In general, numerous small volume space occupiers are placed in the stomach such that the total volume equals or exceeds the single volume of prior art single unit space occupiers. However, each individual space occupier is proportioned so that it will pass without obstruction if it moves into the intestine.