Abstract: A robotic system has a flexible portion adapted for insertion into the gastrointestinal tract and includes a suturing system with a needle holder. An actuator is coupled to the needle holder and is adapted to act on the needle holder arm and needle such that the needle can be repeatedly moved through a path. The actuator is driven by a drive mechanism from the robotic system.

Abstract: A kink-resistant and/or deformation-resistant flexible tubular elongate member capable of being retroflexed greater than 90°, such as greater than 180°, without one or more lumens therethrough kinking, deforming, distorting, ovalizing, elongating, or otherwise changing shape and/or otherwise being affected functionally.

Abstract: A movable device of a system for performing a medical procedure. The movable device has a reconfigurable portion capable of holding the movable device in a selected position with respect to other components of the system. The movable device may be moved with respect to other components of the system, and the reconfigurable portion may be bent or otherwise reconfigured with respect to the system to hold the movable device in a selected position. The movable device may be a tissue grasping device. The tissue grasping device may be formed to permit grasping and ungrasping of tissue without damaging the tissue. The tissue grasping device may include a tissue engagement element which may be formed from a helically laser cut tube.

Abstract: An auxiliary system is provided for use with a medical device, the auxiliary system having a sheath configured to be mounted along the medical device. Systems are provided for rotationally aligning the distal end of the medical device relative to the distal mount of the auxiliary system. Additionally or alternatively, systems are provided for facilitating securing of the auxiliary system and other medical device relative to each other. For instance, systems are provided for securing the sheath along the length of the medical device, and subsequently releasing the secure coupling.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided with respect to an existing medical device to retroflex a flexible elongate member of the medical during in vivo use.

Abstract: An endoscopic system is provided for use with an endoscope, having a proximal handle and a distal end cap assembly, and a sheath extending therebetween. Systems are provided for rotationally aligning the distal end of the endoscope relative to the cap assembly, and for facilitating securing of the cap assembly and endoscope relative to each other. Systems are provided for securing the sheath along the length of the endoscope, and subsequently releasing the secure coupling. Operational systems are also provided to retroflex the cap assembly during in vivo use.

Abstract: Mounting systems configured to operably couple a tool module with respect to a component of a medical instrument. In some aspects, the component to which the tool module is operably coupled is an elongate member that is suitable for passage through a natural orifice of the patient. The tool module may include a replaceable end cap having a needle holder adapted to pass a needle through tissue, and an actuator adapted to control movement of the needle holder arm. A suture needle with suture may be removably coupled to the needle holder. The instrument may be operably associated with a robotic system for robotic control of the component of the instrument with which the tool module is operably coupled, and/or the tool module.

Abstract: Flexible robotic systems are provided for guidance and to facilitate reliable suturing within the gastrointestinal tract. Such robotic systems provide assistance, assurance, and/or validation to compensate for the level of skill and experience of the operator, and to expedite completion of bariatric procedures approached from within the stomach.

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: 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: A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. The strap may be a continuous band. In one embodiment, a distal cap apparatus includes a mount having a strap and a buckle for adjusting a size of a loop formed at least partially by the strap about the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

Abstract: A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. The strap may be a continuous band. In one embodiment, a distal cap apparatus includes a mount having a strap and a buckle for adjusting a size of a loop formed at least partially by the strap about the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. A tool is provided to facilitate properly seating of the strap within the mount of the cap assembly. The tool includes a window and a swing arm rotatable within the window to cause a portion of the arm to contact a free end of the strap to force the strap into a fully seated position.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

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: 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: A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. A tool is provided to facilitate properly seating of the strap within the mount of the cap assembly. The tool includes a window and a swing arm rotatable within the window to cause a portion of the arm to contact a free end of the strap to force the strap into a fully seated position.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

Abstract: A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, includes a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope, and a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount. The mount defines a strap slot configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in the banded configuration. The strap may be elastic. The strap may be a continuous band. In one embodiment, a distal cap apparatus includes a mount having a strap and a buckle for adjusting a size of a loop formed at least partially by the strap about the distal end of the endoscope.