Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope.

Abstract: An implantable restriction system having an antenna capable of being readily and predictably movable to achieve a desired orientation that is effective to communicate with an external device is provided. The antenna can be movably coupled to a housing such that the antenna can float and/or move freely with respect to the housing. The housing can be part of a gimbal element or another component of the system. The antenna can include a weight or a magnetic element to help it achieve the desired orientation. Methods for transcutaneously communicating with an implantable restriction device are also provided.

Abstract: Access devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve flexible or adjustable cannulas that have a substantially cylindrical insertion configuration and a substantially conical expanded configuration. Various methods and features are provided for transitioning the cannula from the insertion configuration to the expanded configuration while the access device is inserted through tissue to form a conical opening through the tissue. Examples include cables, biasing elements, retaining elements, bimodal rings, and coil springs. The devices and methods disclosed herein can allow for improved retention of the access device, improved angulation of instruments passed through the access device, and can increase the integrity of a seal formed between the access device and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A tensioning system for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes a base material that is shaped and dimensioned for surgical attachment to surfaces on or within the body. Multiple tensioning members are incorporated into the base material, each of the tensioning members including a first end and a second end, wherein pulling upon the tensioning member will cause edges of the base material to be drawn together. The method for restricting the available volume of a gastric cavity includes securing edges of a tensioning system to the gastric cavity and drawing the edges of the tissue together to create a fold in the tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing a size of a lumen are provided. In one embodiment, a lumen reduction device is provided having an end effector with a trough formed therein for receiving tissue surrounding a lumen, and a plurality of fasteners configured to engage the tissue disposed within the trough. In use, the end effector can be actuated to deliver the fasteners to the tissue, and one or more sutures coupled to the fasteners can be used to pull the fasteners together and thereby cinch the tissue to reduce the size of a lumen.

Abstract: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivering obesity therapy to a patient. In general, the methods and devices allow for onset of a patient eating solid food, e.g., the patient beginning a meal, to trigger delivery of an obesity therapy to a patient. The obesity therapy can be delivered to the patient for a limited period of time such that the patient stops receiving the obesity therapy prior to a second onset of the patient eating solid food, e.g., the patient beginning a second meal, which can trigger a second delivery of the obesity therapy to the patient for a limited period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for joining one piece to tissue to another piece of tissue. In one embodiment, the method can include inserting an applier device having an actuation portion into a first body lumen through a natural body orifice, forming a first opening in a first piece of tissue within the first lumen and a second opening in a second piece of tissue defining a portion of a second lumen adjacent to the first piece of tissue, and inserting the applier device through the first and second openings such that the actuation portion is between the first and second piece of tissue. The method can further include deploying a fastener into the first and second pieces of tissue through the actuation portion of the applier device, thereby joining the first and second pieces of tissue to form an anastomosis between the first and second lumens.

Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: Devices and related methods arc provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete. administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: A method for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes deploying a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device proximate the gastric wall tissue, applying a vacuum source to the suction device to draw a portion of the gastric wall tissue thereto and extending a needle through the portion of gastric wall tissue drawn into contact with the suction device. A device for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device in the form of a cup with suction ports therein and an open end. A needle is surrounded by the cup and extends through the cup toward the open end.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for gathering impedance data related to implantable restriction devices. In general, the methods and devices can enable patients, health care providers, and others to use gathered data as a feedback mechanism to non-invasively monitor efficacy of an implantable restriction device in a patient and to identify, modify, and/or prescribe a treatment plan for the patient considering the gathered data. Impedance data can be gathered and analyzed for tissue proximate to the restriction device, e.g., a fat pad between a gastric band and the patient's stomach. Electrodes in contact with the tissue can measure an impedance of the tissue, with the impedance between the electrodes changing as the tissue reduces in size (e.g., as fat cells shrink) and/or changes configuration.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods are disclosed for implanting a restriction device for forming a restriction in a patient. The methods can be used with a variety of restriction devices, but in an exemplary embodiment the methods are used for implanting a gastric restriction device.

Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus provides for the secure attachment of multiple fasteners into the gastric wall, the fasteners being linked with a flexible member in a manner permitting the reduction of the effective size of an individual's stomach. The apparatus includes an applicator head including a proximal end and a distal end. The applicator head of the gastric reduction apparatus includes a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving tissue. A fastener attachment mechanism is positioned within the cavity for access to tissue that is pulled within the cavity and the fastener attachment mechanism includes a plurality of fasteners.

Abstract: An implantable restriction device can be configured to provide a restriction in a patient, for example as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device can include one or more sensors configured to sense a variety of parameters, such as pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device, pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse count, pulse duration, or frequency, electrical characteristics, or other parameters. Data obtained by the one or more sensors (for example, the data representing pressure, pulse characteristics, and so on) may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, such as a data logger, using telemetry coils or other communicators. The data logger may store the data, and may communicate the data to a remote location via a network such as the Internet. A docking station may be provided to couple the data logger to a network and/or to recharge a cell in the data logger.

Abstract: A device for deploying fasteners including a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle. The device also includes an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the proximal to the distal end to deploy the fasteners. The device further includes a deforming member for deforming the pusher at a proximal end thereof while advancing the pusher to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A gastric coil manipulator includes a longitudinally extending shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a flexible element with a portion thereof extending beyond the distal end of the shaft for the creation of a resilient arc, wherein an actuator cable is secured to the flexible element for manipulation of the portion of the flexible element extending beyond the distal end of the shaft.