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.

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.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion (16) of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall (14) prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

Abstract: This application describes an overtube device that gives diagnostic and/or therapeutic access to body cavities using natural orifices of the body. The overtube includes an elongate flexible body having a distal portion deflectable in response to activation of a control cable. Proximal features of the overtube include an insufflations port and seals for minimizing loss of insufflations pressure around the shafts of instruments passed through the tube. In some embodiments, retractor elements are including on the distal portion of the overtube.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are devices for localized delivery of energy and methods of using such devices, particularly for therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. The disclosed methods may involve positioning and deploying the energy delivery members in a target site, and delivering energy through the energy delivery members. The disclosed devices may also be used to create a tissue tract within a biological tissue and to ablate the tissue tract.

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 a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.

Abstract: The present application describes an implant system useable for positioning an implant device such as a device useful for restricting passage of ingested food into the stomach. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a plurality of anchors that may be coupled to tissue within the stomach, or to a tissue tunnel formed by plicating stomach wall tissue. The anchor includes a loop. During use, the implant device is inserted through the loop and expanded such that it retains its position within the loop until removed. Instruments for implanting and explanting the implant device are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are devices for localized delivery of energy and methods of using such devices, particularly for therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. The disclosed methods may involve positioning and deploying the energy delivery members in a target site, and delivering energy through the energy delivery members. The disclosed devices may also be used to create a tissue tract within a biological tissue and to ablate the tissue tract.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.

Abstract: A method of controlling ablation volume depth includes providing a treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing having a proximal and distal end including a tissue contacting surface. The housing defines an interior with an energy delivery device positionable in the interior. The energy delivery device includes at least one electrode with a tissue penetrating distal end and is configured to be advanced from the interior into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device and is configured to advance the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is advanced to a selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery device. An ablation volume is created at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the deployment depth while minimizing injury to the critical structure.

Abstract: The present application describes an implant system useable for positioning an implant device such as a device useful for restricting passage of ingested food into the stomach. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a plurality of anchors that may be coupled to tissue within the stomach, or to a tissue tunnel formed by plicating stomach wall tissue. The anchor includes a loop. During use, the implant device is inserted through the loop and expanded such that it retains its position within the loop until removed. Instruments for implanting and explanting the implant device are also described.

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: 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.

Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

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.