Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: A single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create at least one fold within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate a single fold of tissue from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device and to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.

Abstract: A single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create at least one fold within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate a single fold of tissue from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device and to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.

Abstract: A system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or several divisions or plications within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate tissue regions from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the approximated tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device as well as to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.

Abstract: A system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. A device is advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or several divisions or plications within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a stapler assembly having a tissue acquisition member and a tissue fixation member. The stapler assembly approximates tissue from within the hollow body organ with the acquisition member and then affixes the approximated tissue with the fixation member. In one method, the system can be used as a secondary procedure to reduce the size of a stoma within the hollow body organ.

Abstract: A single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create at least one fold within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate a single fold of tissue from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device and to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.

Abstract: A system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or several divisions or plications within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or fixation device, each of which is used together as a system. The acquisition device is used to approximate tissue regions from within the hollow body organ and the stapling device is advanced through a main lumen defined through the acquisition device and is used to affix the approximated tissue. The stapling device is keyed to maintain its rotational orientation relative to the acquisition device as well as to provide the user positional information of the stapling device. The acquisition device is also configured to provide lateral stability to the stapling device prior to the stapling device being clamped onto tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for use in tissue approximation and fixation are described herein. The present invention provides, in part, methods and devices for acquiring tissue folds from the anterior and posterior portions of a hollow body organ, e.g., a stomach, positioning the tissue folds for affixing within a fixation zone of the stomach, preferably to create a pouch or partition below the esophagus, and fastening the tissue folds such that a tissue bridge forms excluding the pouch from the greater stomach cavity. The present invention further provides devices for performing a transoral, endoscopic hollow organ division, including a tissue acquisition device capable of acquiring the desired tissue, a tensioning device for positioning the acquired tissue, and a fastening element to secure the outer layers of the acquired tissue such that the desired healing response is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and devices for use in tissue approximation and fixation are described herein. The present invention provides, in part, methods and devices for acquiring tissue folds from the anterior and posterior portions of a hollow body organ, e.g., a stomach, positioning the tissue folds for affixing within a fixation zone of the stomach, preferably to create a pouch or partition below the esophagus, and fastening the tissue folds such that a tissue bridge forms excluding the pouch from the greater stomach cavity. The present invention further provides devices for performing a transoral, endoscopic hollow organ division, including a tissue acquisition device capable of acquiring the desired tissue, a tensioning device for positioning the acquired tissue, and a fastening element to secure the outer layers of the acquired tissue such that the desired healing response is achieved.