Abstract: A deployment system includes a sheath, a torque able shaft having a handle positioned at its proximal end, a detachable helical first suture anchor positioned at the shafts distal end and an elongate suture fixedly coupled to the suture anchor. The deployment system can be positioned at a first tissue, and the shaft rotated to advance the helical first suture anchor into engagement with the first tissue. The shaft is detached from the first suture anchor thereby deploying it at the first tissue location. Then, the deployment system is removed from the patient, and a second suture anchor is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The deployment system is re-inserted into the patient and the distal end of the system is moved adjacent a second tissue location, and the process is repeated for a second suture anchor at the second tissue location.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.

Abstract: A suture needle system includes a first needle and at least one second needle. Each of the first and second needles preferably has a common needle body construct. The first needle includes an elongate suture having a length sufficient to extend at least the length of an instrument channel of an endoscope. The second needle includes an opening formed by a loop of suture at which the second needle can be advanced over the elongate suture. In use, the first needle is secured to a first tissue location using an endoscopic suturing system. A second needle is advanced at its opening over the elongate suture and secured to a second tissue location. Additional second needles may be advanced over the elongate suture to respective tissue locations. The elongate suture is pulled taut, drawing the second needles into proximity, and secured.

Abstract: An anchor and suture assembly is provided for use with an endoscopic suturing device with a needle holder arm. The anchor assembly includes an anchor tip and an anchor body. The anchor tip has a blunt end that may be rounded or beaded, a capture groove, a tab groove and a plug portion positioned between the capture groove and the tab groove. The anchor body has first and second ends, tip tabs, retainers for removably retaining the anchor body relative to the needle holder arm, and a suture opening. The anchor tip is fixed relative to the anchor body by plastic deformation of the tip tabs into the tab groove. A suture extends into the suture opening of the anchor body and is fixed therein.

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, 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.

Abstract: An elongate flexible endoscopic surgical scissor instrument includes an actuating means at the proximal end and a blade assembly that includes pair of pivotable scissor blades at the distal end. The actuating means is adapted to place the scissor blades in an opened or closed configuration. The scissors include a torque-transmitting shaft assembly that couples the proximal end of instrument to the blade assembly positioned at the distal end. Rotation of the torque transmitting shaft assembly at the proximal end causes the distally-located blade assembly to similarly rotate in both the open and closed configurations, which can provide precise targeting.

Abstract: A gastric implant includes a distal sleeve portion configured to be disposed in a duodenum of a patient, and a pyloric restriction portion connected to a proximal end of the distal sleeve portion. The pyloric restriction portion is configured to be disposed in a pylorus of a patient. Also, the implant includes a proximal anchor portion connected to a proximal end of the pyloric restriction portion. The proximal anchor portion is configured to be disposed in a lower stomach of the patient. The proximal anchor portion has at least one eyelet for fastening to the stomach to secure the implant to the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A medical implant deployment system for placing an implant at a preselected site comprising a deployment system that includes a mechanical coupling assembly at the distal end of a delivery member that engages the proximal end of the implant and a release member having an extended configuration in which the release member cooperatively maintains the coupling assembly engagement with the implant proximal end and a retracted configuration where the release member allows the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end. An attachable handle assembly is provided to place the release member in the retracted configuration allowing the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end, thereby releasing the implant.

Abstract: A treatment device for use with an endoscope having a instrument channel for passage of an endoscopic instrument and a distal end is provided. The treatment device includes an end effector assembly with a base for placement at the distal end of the endoscope, an end effector rotatable relative to the base, and a mounting portion for attaching the base to the endoscope. The mounting portion is resiliently compressible and can be radially compressed for insertion into the instrument channel, whereby an expansion force of the resiliently compressed mounting portion retains the base relative to the distal end of the endoscope. The mounting portion also includes an opening longitudinally extending therethrough and communicable with the instrument channel and sized for receiving an endoscopic instrument therethrough.

Abstract: An access system includes a proximal handle, an overtube coupled to the handle, and an endoscope port extending through handle and overtube sized for receiving an endoscope therethrough. The overtube includes anatomic wall securing system that secures a distal portion of the overtube within a hole in the anatomic wall. The overtube is provided with a shaped distal portion or a controllably shapeable distal portion that aids in directing an endoscope inserted through the port to a particular location within the peritoneal cavity. The access system includes a system for insufflating/deflating the peritoneal space separately from the body cavity accessible via a natural orifice. The access system includes a closure system to cinch closed the hole made in the anatomical wall after the access system has been removed from the hole. Methods are provided for inserting the access system through the anatomical wall to perform intra-abdominal surgery.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for performing embolization procedures in a desired area of the body. Systems include embodiments of embolization devices having increased durability, flexibility, conformability and surface area that include elongate primary coils that are formed from helically wound elongate initial coils which are formed from helically wound metallic wire and delivery systems used to position the embolization devices at a target location within a lumen of a mammal.

Abstract: A suture needle system includes a first needle and at least one second needle. Each of the first and second needles preferably has a common needle body construct. The first needle includes an elongate suture having a length sufficient to extend at least the length of an instrument channel of an endoscope. The second needle includes an opening formed by a loop of suture at which the second needle can be advanced over the elongate suture. In use, the first needle is secured to a first tissue location using an endoscopic suturing system. A second needle is advanced at its opening over the elongate suture and secured to a second tissue location. Additional second needles may be advanced over the elongate suture to respective tissue locations. The elongate suture is pulled taut, drawing the second needles into proximity, and secured.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue grasper device includes a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, a proximal handle for moving the shaft and tubular member relative to each other, and a distal helical coil having a sharpened end for engaging tissue. The helical coil has a proximal close wound portion, a distal open wound portion, and an intermediate transition portion between the proximal and distal portions. The flexible shaft extends into the proximal and intermediate portions and is secured thereto, which prevents tissue engaged by the helical coil from becoming wedged in the transition portion and thereby facilitates release of the coil from engaged tissue. In addition, a bearing sheath is provided between the shaft and tubular member to prevent the shaft from binding during operation.

Abstract: An elongate flexible endoscopic surgical scissor instrument includes an actuating means at the proximal end and a blade assembly that includes pair of pivotable scissor blades at the distal end. The actuating means is adapted to place the scissor blades in an opened or closed configuration. The scissors include a torque-transmitting shaft assembly that couples the proximal end of instrument to the blade assembly positioned at the distal end. Rotation of the torque transmitting shaft assembly at the proximal end causes the distally-located blade assembly to similarly rotate in both the open and closed configurations, which can provide precise targeting.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly is provided for use with an endoscopic suturing device with a needle holder arm. The needle assembly includes a needle tip and a needle body. The needle tip has a sharp end, a capture groove, a tab groove and a plug portion positioned between the capture groove and the tab groove. The needle body has first and second ends, tip tabs, retainers for removably retaining the needle body relative to the needle holder arm, and a suture opening. The needle tip is fixed relative to the needle body by plastic deformation of the tip tabs into the tab groove. A suture extends into the suture opening of the needle body and is fixed therein.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly is provided for use with an endoscopic suturing device with a needle holder arm. The needle assembly includes a needle tip and a needle body. The needle tip has a sharp end, a capture groove, a tab groove and a plug portion positioned between the capture groove and the tab groove. The needle body has first and second ends, tip tabs, retainers for removably retaining the needle body relative to the needle holder arm, and a suture opening. The needle tip is fixed relative to the needle body by plastic deformation of the tip tabs into the tab groove. A suture extends into the suture opening of the needle body and is fixed therein.

Abstract: A medical implant deployment system for placing an implant at a preselected site comprising a deployment system that includes a mechanical coupling assembly at the distal end of a delivery member that engages the proximal end of the implant and a release member having an extended configuration in which the release member cooperatively maintains the coupling assembly engagement with the implant proximal end and a retracted configuration where the release member allows the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end. An attachable handle assembly is provided to place the release member in the retracted configuration allowing the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end, thereby releasing the implant.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for performing implantation procedures in a desired area of the body. Systems include embodiments of medical implants that include scaffold and inflatable portions and delivery systems to position and release the medical implants at a target location within the body.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device that includes a central support member that has at least one mesh embolic ribbon extending outwardly from the central support member in the generally radial direction is provided. The mesh embolic ribbon has a collapsed and an expanded configuration.