Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a handle and an elongate shaft, and is operable to remove an anastomotic ring device from a patient. The elongate shaft houses a plurality of ring engaging fingers. Each of the fingers comprises sheath housing a wire having a hook at its distal end. Each hook may be advanced beyond the distal end of a respective sheath to engage petals on an anastomotic ring device. Subsequent proximal retraction of the hooks secures the anastomotic ring device to the ring engaging fingers. With the anastomotic ring device secured to the ring engaging fingers, the fingers may be drawn together to collapse the anastomotic ring device from an actuated, hollow rivet-shaped configuration to an unactuated, cylindrically-shaped configuration. The surgical instrument may then contain the collapsed anastomotic ring device, thereby facilitating removal of the anastomotic ring device from the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods and devices for providing percutaneous access to a tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, a PEG tube is provided having an elongate member with a proximal end adapted to be positioned adjacent to a tissue surface, a distal end adapted to be inserted through tissue, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and adapted to allow fluid flow there through. The PEG tube can also include an electrically actuatable element coupled to the distal end of the elongate member and configured to change dimensionally upon delivery of electrical energy thereto. In use, the electrically actuatable element can be adapted to expand to engage tissue and secure the distal end of the PEG tube to the tissue.

Abstract: A transgastric instrument provides a sterile and repeatable pathway to and through a gastric wall for the purpose of facilitating endoscopic transgastric procedures. The instrument includes at least one guide tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being shaped and dimensioned for positioning adjacent a desired location along the gastric wall. The instrument also includes a fixation mechanism at the distal end of the guide tube for selectively securing the distal end of the guide tube at a desired location along the gastric wall. An otomy creation device circumferentially smaller than the guide tube extends through the guide tube, the otomy creation device including a distal end shaped and dimensioned for cutting and dilating the gastric wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods and devices for providing percutaneous access to a tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, a PEG tube is provided having an elongate member with a proximal end adapted to be positioned adjacent to a tissue surface, a distal end adapted to be inserted through tissue, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and adapted to allow fluid flow there through. The PEG tube can also include an electrically actuatable element coupled to the distal end of the elongate member and configured to change dimensionally upon delivery of electrical energy thereto. In use, the electrically actuatable element can be adapted to expand to engage tissue and secure the distal end of the PEG tube to the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for positioning tissues in apposition to each other are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue apposition device is provided having a flexible shaft with at least one expandable element coupled thereto, and a positioning element adapted to axially move the expandable element relative to the elongate shaft to move tissue engaged by the expandable element. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the positioning element and the expandable element(s) is formed from an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a handle and an elongate shaft, and is operable to remove an anastomotic ring device from a patient. The elongate shaft houses a plurality of ring engaging fingers. Each of the fingers comprises sheath housing a wire having a hook at its distal end. Each hook may be advanced beyond the distal end of a respective sheath to engage petals on an anastomotic ring device. Subsequent proximal retraction of the hooks secures the anastomotic ring device to the ring engaging fingers. With the anastomotic ring device secured to the ring engaging fingers, the fingers may be drawn together to collapse the anastomotic ring device from an actuated, hollow rivet-shaped configuration to an unactuated, cylindrically-shaped configuration. The surgical instrument may then contain the collapsed anastomotic ring device, thereby facilitating removal of the anastomotic ring device from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for soft tissue implant formed from biologically-compatible polymeric matrixes. The matrixes may have pores sized for in-growth of soft tissue. The material may be utilized with collagen or other matrix materials. This material may be used in a method of reforming soft tissues by implanting the material within soft body tissues to modify soft tissue defects such as wrinkles or biopsy tissue defects and to reshape soft tissue.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method of placing a delivery device substantially adjacent to vascular tissue and a device for use with such a method are disclosed. The delivery device may be a flexible biological construct with a flexible tethering means. The delivery device may be percutaneously inserted near vascular tissue such as, for example, peritoneal tissue. When the delivery device has been inserted, the tether may be used to pull the delivery device toward the vascular tissue and secure the device thereto. Contact between the front surface of the delivery device and the vascular tissue may be maintained by making and keeping the tether substantially taut. The delivery device may serve accomplish sustained delivery of active agents.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for manipulating the sense of satiety developed from the gastrointestinal transit of a substance in a mammal, whether the substance be a food or drug compound. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount, by a direct delivery route, of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprising nutrients and pharmacological agents to the mammal's gastrointestinal tract. The present system is designed to maximize satiety feedback from normal intestinal sensors by small amounts of nutrients or nutrient derivatives, in essence, to “fool” body sensors that are not usually in contact with nutrients unless very large amounts are ingested.