Abstract: A surgical staple has two movable arms connected by a transverse connection area. Each one of the arms has a pinching area and a fastening end and the transverse connection area is deformable to allow the movable arms to be moved together by bending around the axis of the transverse connection area.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a surgical staple defining a median folding zone which is continued by a pair of branches, each branch having a pointed fastening end and an intermediate clamping zone situated between the median folding zone and the pointed fastening end. The staple is deformable so that each branch can be folded relative to the median folding zone by causing each fastening end to approach the other branch, the staple being formed by a metal cutout pre-shaped by folding, and is of constant thickness. Intermediate clamping zones of the two branches are cut out such as to form at least two teeth, the edges of which form two complementary clamping surfaces, parallel to the median plane when the staple is folded. The cross-section of clamping surfaces correspond to the cross-section of the metal cutout.

Abstract: An implantable distraction device includes a tubular member oriented along a longitudinal axis, and curved first and second attachment members coupled to the tubular member and configured to be sutured within a body lumen. The second attachment member is spaced apart from the first attachment member along the tubular member. The device further includes at least one magnet coupled to the tubular member and movable relative to the tubular member. At least one of the first attachment member or the second attachment member is axially movable relative to the other to vary an axial distance between the first and second attachment members. The at least one magnet is configured such that motion of a magnetic field relative to the distraction device causes corresponding motion of the at least one magnet, and corresponding motion of one attachment member relative to the other.

Abstract: Method for detecting leaks and/or verifying adequate closure following a medical procedure, on a hollow or tubular organ of a subject, wherein a leak test is performed by injecting or insufflating, in the concerned organ, a specific test gas which is not commonly produced or naturally present within the body of the subject, or which is present or produced in a precisely known amount or concentration, and by analyzing percutaneously the gas or gas mixture present locally within the body cavity in which the organ is situated, and then verifying the presence, and preferably determining the concentration, of the injected or insufflated test gas in the local gas or gas mixture of the body cavity and indicating whether the concerned organ or a lumen defined by the latter is leak-free or not.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a surgical staple defining a median folding zone which is continued by a pair of branches, each branch having a pointed fastening end and an intermediate clamping zone situated between the median folding zone and the pointed fastening end. The staple is deformable so that each branch can be folded relative to the median folding zone by causing each fastening end to approach the other branch, the staple being formed by a metal cutout pre-shaped by folding, and is of constant thickness. Intermediate clamping zones of the two branches are cut out such as to form at least two teeth, the edges of which form two complementary clamping surfaces, parallel to the median plane when the staple is folded. The cross-section of clamping surfaces correspond to the cross-section of the metal cutout.

Abstract: A surgical staple has two movable arms connected by a transverse connection area. Each one of the arms has a pinching area and a fastening end and the transverse connection area is deformable to allow the movable arms to be moved together by bending around the axis of the transverse connection area.

Abstract: An implantable distraction device includes a tubular member oriented along a longitudinal axis, and curved first and second attachment members coupled to the tubular member and configured to be sutured within a body lumen. The second attachment member is spaced apart from the first attachment member along the tubular member. The device further includes at least one magnet coupled to the tubular member and movable relative to the tubular member. At least one of the first attachment member or the second attachment member is axially movable relative to the other to vary an axial distance between the first and second attachment members. The at least one magnet is configured such that motion of a magnetic field relative to the distraction device causes corresponding motion of the at least one magnet, and corresponding motion of one attachment member relative to the other.

Abstract: A surgical staple has two movable arms connected by a transverse connection area. Each one of the arms has a pinching area and a fastening end and the transverse connection area is deformable to allow the movable arms to be moved together by bending around the axis of the transverse connection area.

Abstract: System for detecting leaks and/or verifying adequate closure following a medical procedure, on a hollow or tubular organ of a subject, wherein a leak test is performed by injecting or insufflating, in the concerned organ, a specific test gas which is not commonly produced or naturally present within the body of the subject, or which is present or produced in a precisely known amount or concentration, and by analyzing percutaneously the gas or gas mixture present locally within the body cavity in which the organ is situated, and then verifying the presence, and preferably determining the concentration, of the injected or insufflated test gas in the local gas or gas mixture of the body cavity and indicating whether the concerned organ or a lumen defined by the latter is leak-free or not.

Abstract: A surgical staple has two movable arms connected by a transverse connection area. Each one of the arms has a pinching area and a fastening end and the transverse connection area is deformable to allow the movable arms to be moved together by bending around the axis of the transverse connection area.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of performing a medical procedure in a patient. The method includes creating an incision in an abdominal wall of the patient, inserting a flexible guide tube into the incision, and advancing a flexible instrument through the guide tube. The method also includes positioning a distal tip of the guide tube adjacent to a gastroesophageal junction and passing the instrument through an esophageal hiatus.

Abstract: Method for detecting leaks and/or verifying adequate closure following a medical procedure, on a hollow or tubular organ of a subject, wherein a leak test is performed by injecting or insufflating, in the concerned organ, a specific test gas which is not commonly produced or naturally present within the body of the subject, or which is present or produced in a precisely known amount or concentration, and by analyzing percutaneously the gas or gas mixture present locally within the body cavity in which the organ is situated, and then verifying the presence, and preferably determining the concentration, of the injected or insufflated test gas in the local gas or gas mixture of the body cavity and indicating whether the concerned organ or a lumen defined by the latter is leak-free or not.

Abstract: Devices and methods for laparoscopically repairing a hernia are described. In some embodiments, a laparoscopic instrument is used to deploy one or more tissue anchor assemblies into the edges of the fascia tissue surrounding or adjacent to the hernia defect. The tissue anchor assemblies are used to cause the fascia tissue to be approximated to facilitate the repair procedure, to improve healing, and to reduce the incidence of recurrence.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of performing a medical procedure in a patient. The method includes creating an incision in the patient and inserting a flexible guide tube into the incision. The method also includes locating a flexible instrument and a flexible optical device within the guide tube, tunneling the distal tip of the guide tube through the incision to a sternal notch or a position proximate the sternal notch, and dissecting at least part of a thyroid using the instrument.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of performing a medical procedure in a patient. The method includes creating an incision in an abdominal wall of the patient, inserting a flexible guide tube into the incision, and advancing a flexible instrument through the guide tube. The method also includes positioning a distal tip of the guide tube adjacent to a gastroesophageal junction and passing the instrument through an esophageal hiatus.

Abstract: Transgastric abdominal access methods and apparatus are described herein. A shape-lockable elongate body can be advanced endoluminally in a flexible state into the stomach, where an opening is created through the stomach wall. The opening can be created endoluminally or by incising instruments placed through the abdominal wall. The elongate body can be transitioned to a rigid state prior to, during, or after advancement into the patient and is passed through the opening into the peritoneal cavity. A dilation balloon can be positioned simultaneously within the elongate body and within the tissue opening such that the elongate body can be advanced through the tissue opening. A flexible needle catheter can also be delivered through the elongate body or an endoscope to provide for insufflation prior to cutting or piercing through the stomach wall. Also, tissue closure devices and methods to close the opening created through the stomach wall.

Abstract: Devices and methods for laparoscopically repairing a hernia are described. In some embodiments, a laparoscopic instrument is used to deploy one or more tissue anchor assemblies into the edges of the fascia tissue surrounding or adjacent to the hernia defect. The tissue anchor assemblies are used to cause the fascia tissue to be approximated to facilitate the repair procedure, to improve healing, and to reduce the incidence of recurrence.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing mucosectomy, such as to map out gastrointestinal surgery, including endoluminal gastric reduction. In one variation, tie apparatus comprises a separating element and an integrated resection element. In one variation, the apparatus is configured to simultaneously separate mucosal tissue from underlying muscularis tissue and to resect the separated mucosal tissue. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Methods for performing gastroplasty include reducing the effective volume or cross-sectional area of the stomach via approximation of gastric tissue. Such reduction preferably is achieved endoluminally, either with or without laparoscopic ports. In one variation, a sleeve, pouch, Magenstrasse and Mill, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (“VBG”), etc., is formed within the stomach by approximating opposing anterior and posterior segments or ridges of the stomach wall at locations inferior to the gastroesophageal junction. In another variation, opposing walls of the stomach are approximated at a plurality of substantially random locations to reduce an effective volume of the stomach. In yet another variation, both a sleeve and random approximations are formed, the random approximations preferably disposed in a portion of the stomach excluded by the sleeve. In still another variation, opposing walls of the stomach are approximated over significant lengths at random or specified locations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing mucosectomy, such as to map out gastrointestinal surgery, including endoluminal gastric reduction. In one variation, the apparatus comprises a separating element and an integrated resection element. In one variation, the apparatus is configured to simultaneously separate mucosal tissue from underlying muscularis tissue and to resect the separated mucosal tissue. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.