Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus endoscopically draws stomach walls into apposition. The apparatus includes an applicator body having a proximal end and a distal end. The applicator body also includes a suction slot shaped and dimensioned for housing a corkscrew anchor. A firing mechanism is associated with the corkscrew anchor for rotation of the corkscrew anchor in a manner causing the corkscrew anchor to penetrate and engage tissue brought adjacent the suction slot. A method for gastric reduction is achieved by introducing a gastric reduction apparatus as disclosed above within the stomach of an individual, applying the corkscrew anchor to a stomach wall and drawing stomach walls together to create a cavity within the stomach.

Abstract: A method for gastric reduction surgery includes the step of applying at least one clamp to the stomach in a manner forming a gastric pouch. The clamp includes a clamp body shaped and dimensioned to create a gastric pouch with a standard size from approximately 15 cc to approximately 30 cc.

Abstract: A needle delivery device is described and includes generally, a needle made of a shape memory alloy pre-formed in an unconstrained configuration, such as, for example, an arc or a curved needle. The needle delivery device also includes a needle delivery guide, a suturing guide and a positioning member. The needle has an eye at its leading tip for holding suture material. The needle delivery guide has a needle channel for passage of the needle therethrough. The needle channel is configured to hold the needle in a constrained configuration, for example, in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the needle channel. The suturing guide is pivotally connected to the delivery guide.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus is described. The suturing apparatus has a needle having at least one pointed end, a channel for releasably receiving the needle, a needle positioning assembly having members for moving the needle and an actuation assembly for actuating the needle positioning assembly. The needle includes a first puncturing point at a proximal end thereof and an engagement section adjacent thereto, a distal end, which may have a second puncturing point, and another engagement section adjacent the distal end. A structure, such as an eye or a slot, is provided to secure a length of suture material to the needle.

Abstract: A surgical method, system, kit, and various devices are provided for use in, among other things, vaginal entry during a natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgical procedure. A system and/or method provide for the rapid creation of a conduit and/or multiple ports in a natural orifice, such as a patient's vagina, while accommodating anatomical variation to reduce the need to excise additional tissue from the patient.

Abstract: An endoscopic gastric reduction apparatus adapted for applying a series of pledgets to anterior and posterior gastric walls for the creation of a mattress stitch suture within the stomach includes an applier having a distal end and a proximal end. The applier is secured at a distal end of a support shaft shaped and dimensioned for passage down the esophagus and into the stomach. The applier includes an applier body having a suction slot shaped and dimensioned for receiving tissue therein for the application of at least one pledget housed within the suction slot for selective coupling with tissue suctioned within the suction slot.

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: A medical instrument is provided including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that define an axis, wherein the distal end is penetratable into tissue. The instrument also includes a tissue stop disposed on the shaft near the distal end and changeable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the distal end is penetratable into the tissue approximately to a predetermined depth when the tissue stop is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A rigidizable surgical instrument comprises a rigidizable member, a first collapsible arm, a second collapsible arm, and a specimen retrieval bag for retrieving biological materials. The collapsible arms may be located at the distal end of the rigidizable member. The specimen retrieval bag may have an open end and a closed end, and may be configured to be retained upon the collapsible arms. The rigidizable member may include a rigidizing component to rigidize the rigidizable member when the state-change material or a stiffening element is in a rigid state. The rigidizable member may be rendered substantially rigid when the rigidizing component is actuated and the rigidizable member may be rendered substantially flexible when the rigidizing component is deactuated. A rigidizing mechanism for actuating the rigidizing component may include a vacuum. Various end-effectors may be provided in addition to the specimen retrieval bag.

Abstract: Methods of using a surgical suturing device are disclosed. The methods may contemplate a surgical suturing device comprising a grasper device that is translatable within an outer lumen. The methods may comprise grasping a first end of a needle with the grasper device. The needle may be resilient to a curved resting state. The methods may also comprise translating the grasper device proximally relative to the outer lumen such that the needle is translated into the outer lumen, wherein the outer lumen tends to straighten the needle from the curved resting state and moving the outer lumen distally towards tissue. The grasper device may be translated distally relative to the outer lumen such that a second end of the needle extends distally from the outer lumen and pierces the tissue. The needle may return to the curved resting state as it exits the outer lumen. The methods may also comprise releasing the first end of the needle from the grasper device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a handle connected to a shaft and a pair of inflatable members. The shaft includes conduits for communicating a pressurized medium to the inflatable members and an insufflation tube. The handle includes a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the conduits and a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the insufflation tube. After an anastomotic ring has been deployed, the shaft may be positioned such that an inflatable member is positioned within each of the lumens joined by the anastomosis, such that an inflatable member is located on each side of the anastomosis. The inflatable members may be inflated to provide a seal in each of the lumens. With each of the lumens sealed by the inflatable members, the anastomosis site may be insufflated through the insufflation tube to leak or pressure test the anastomosis.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval device may comprise the specimen retrieval bag for retrieval biological materials, a hybrid shaft, a first collapsible arm, and a second collapsible arm. The hybrid shaft may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is flexible, and wherein the proximal end is rigid. The first collapsible arm may be located at the distal end of the hybrid shaft, and may include a first portion. The second collapsible arm may be located at the distal end of the hybrid shaft, may include a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the second collapsible arm may extend distally beyond the first portion of the second collapsible arm. The specimen retrieval bag may have an open end and a closed end, and may be configured to be retained upon the first collapsible arm and the second collapsible arm.

Abstract: A needle delivery device is described and includes generally, a needle made of a shape memory alloy pre-formed in an unconstrained configuration, such as, for example, an arc or a curved needle. The needle delivery device also includes a needle delivery guide, a suturing guide and a positioning member. The needle has an eye at its leading tip for holding suture material. The needle delivery guide has a needle channel for passage of the needle therethrough. The needle channel is configured to hold the needle in a constrained configuration, for example, in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the needle channel. The suturing guide is pivotally connected to the delivery guide.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus is described. The suturing apparatus has a needle having at least one pointed end, a channel for releasably receiving the needle, a needle positioning assembly having members for moving the needle and an actuation assembly for actuating the needle positioning assembly. The needle includes a first puncturing point at a proximal end thereof and an engagement section adjacent thereto, a distal end, which may have a second puncturing point, and another engagement section adjacent the distal end. A structure, such as an eye or a slot, is provided to secure a length of suture material to the needle.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of at least one of bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is disclosed. According to the process, preheated 1,3-propanediol (about 150° C. to about 200° C.) and preheated lower dialkyl esters of terephthalic acid (about 150° C. to about 220° C.) are combined in a mole ratio of about 1.2:1 to about 2.3:1 and fed to an ester exchange vessel where the mixture undergoes a continuous transesterification reaction. The liquid reaction mixture is continuously heated and mixed, at a temperature of about 215° C. to about 250° C., and a pressure of about 800 mm Hg to about 1,000 mm Hg. Gaseous reaction products are continuously separated from the liquid reaction mixture, and a stream of liquid reaction products containing bis(3-hydoxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is continuously removed from a base portion of the ester exchange vessel.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture-having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture-having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.