Abstract: A method for maintaining a medical device in place in a lumen of a hollow organ of a patient for a period of months or years includes not using a metal or bioresorbable self-expandable stent. Optionally, a platelet rich plasma (PRP) solution can be applied to a stent to integrate the stent into an interior passageway of a patient. The stent can optionally be formed of a nitinol and inserted through a mouth of the patient. Sutures can be used to attach the stent to the interior passageway of the patient.

Abstract: A method of preventing contraction and peristaltic wave action of an esophagus in which a GARD is placed, preventing displacement of the GARD towards or into a stomach, the method comprising injecting botulinum toxin very precisely in the muscular layer of the esophageal wall at the level where the GARD is or will be placed. A system comprising a catheter having one or two expandable balloon(s) which carries guide needle catheters that can pierce the esophageal wall and reach precisely the muscular layer of the wall of the esophagus, the needles used to inject the toxin at precisely the exact location in the esophageal wall in relationship with the GARD device to block esophageal peristalsis locally.

Abstract: A prosthesis used for long-term treatment of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) comprising an upper thin ring mesh for incorporation in the esophageal wall with a lower tubular part to block reflux and a method where a temporary ring is placed to exert compression laterally on a thin ring supporting a tubular or slit valve to treat GERD to help the thin ring incorporate in the esophageal wall.

Abstract: A method of preventing contraction and peristaltic wave action of an esophagus in which a GARD is placed, preventing displacement of the GARD towards or into a stomach, the method comprising injecting botulinum toxin very precisely in the muscular layer of the esophageal wall at the level where the GARD is or will be placed. A system comprising a catheter having one or two expandable balloon(s) which carries guide needle catheters that can pierce the esophageal wall and reach precisely the muscular layer of the wall of the esophagus, the needles used to inject the toxin at precisely the exact location in the esophageal wall in relationship with the GARD device to block esophageal peristalsis locally.

Abstract: A prosthesis (14) that is useful as an anti-reflux device or an anti-obesity device within a gastro-intestinal tract of a living organism, such as a human, comprises an elastic portion including a helical elastic spring (15) embedded in a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A prosthesis (14) that is useful as an anti-reflux device or an anti-obesity device within a gastro-intestinal tract of a living organism, such as a human, comprises an elastic portion including a helical elastic spring (15) embedded in a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A prosthesis (14) that is useful as an anti-reflux device or an anti-obesity device within a gastro-intestinal tract of a living organism, such as a human, comprises an elastic portion including a helical elastic spring (15) embedded in a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A prosthesis (14) that is useful as an anti-reflux device or an anti-obesity device within a gastro-intestinal tract of a living organism, such as a human, comprises an elastic portion including a helical elastic spring (15) embedded in a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A medical staple formed from a nitinol wire, the staple having two elongated arms which extend upwardly and outwardly from a central loop in two opposing generally semicircular courses forming an arc extending upwardly and outwardly and an end second comprising a sharpened endpoint, the endpoint being the arms bendable under resistance, is disclosed. In some embodiments the arms extend upwardly on a parallel course and then outwardly. The material is preferably an alloy with hyperelastic characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the cross sectional diameter of a body lumen are disclosed. A catheter tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and two or more strips formed from equal length parallel slits in the body, the strips normally parallel when the catheter tube is not stressed, the strips bowing outwardly from the tube when the distal end of the tube is stressed in a direction toward the proximal end of the catheter tube is inserted through an opening in a body, means such as a central tube or wire are pulled in a proximal direction to stress the catheter tube and thereby bow the strips outwardly in order to measure an opening such as a hiatal hernia.

Abstract: A medical staple formed from a nitinol wire, the staple having two elongated arms which extend upwardly and outwardly from a central loop in two opposing generally semicircular courses forming an arc extending upwardly and outwardly and an end second comprising a sharpened endpoint, the endpoint being the arms bendable under resistance, is disclosed. In some embodiments the arms extend upwardly on a parallel course and then outwardly. The material is preferably an alloy with hyperelastic characteristics.

Abstract: A method of, and device for, slowing the passage of food through a digestive tract of a patient and thereby treating obesity. The device is an obesity tube comprising (A) an upper ring of a size corresponding to a point under a patient's esophagus and above the patient's diaphragm muscle, and (B) a lower tube having a length and a distal opening. The method comprises stapling the upper ring under the patient's esophagus, above the patient's diaphragm muscle, and placing the lower tube distal to the upper ring. The length of the lower tube depends on whether the tube is to terminate distally in the stomach or terminate past the pylorus, in which case a section can be provided which is thick enough to resist collapsing under pylorus pressure. The lower tube can be entirely or partially non-permeable or semi-permeable. Semi-permeable tubes or sections thereof have walls which permit the passage of gastric hydrochloric acid but not food.

Abstract: A medical staple formed from a nitinol wire, the staple having two elongated arms which extend upwardly and outwardly from a central loop in two opposing generally semicircular courses forming an arc extending upwardly and outwardly and an end second comprising a sharpened endpoint, the endpoint being the arms bendable under resistance, is disclosed. In some embodiments the arms extend upwardly on a parallel course and then outwardly. The material is preferably an alloy with hyperelastic characteristics.

Abstract: A prosthesis (13) for implanting in an upper stomach to prevent gastric reflux in an esophagus comprising a tube (17) made of a biocompatible polymer that is resistant to gastric acid, the tube having an upper end and a lower end, a length, and a generally constant diameter along the entire length thereof, the upper end having means (16) for securing to the upper stomach, the lower end having at least one slit (18) to facilitate inversion of the tube during vomiting but to facilitate collapsing of the tube under pressure generated by gastric reflux.

Abstract: A method and system for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (“IBS”) using biofeedback is disclosed. In one aspect the invention is a method comprising: inserting a probe (13) into a bowel (15) of a patient having IBS, the probe (13) being adapted to measure pressure at one more locations within the bowel (15) and obtain pressure data; transmitting the pressure data to a receiver (50) having a processor, processing the pressure data with the processor to determine an aggravated state; and signaling the aggravated state to the patient (100). The patient (100) can then be instructed to take measures to alleviate, reduce, or delay onset of the aggravated states such as performing relaxation exercises, resting, meditating, massaging the abdomen, or relating the aggravated state to ingestion of certain foods.

Abstract: An surgical tilt-tag staple comprising an elongated joining member having a first end and a second end, a first tilt-tag joined to the first end of the joining member and a second tilt-tag joined to the second end of the joining member, each of the first and second tilt-tags normally aligned perpendicularly to the joining member, the tilt-tags bendable under resistance into a position substantially parallel to the joining member and returning to the normal position when resistance is removed, is used to attach a medical device to the inner mucosa of a gastro-intestinal tract of a patient using ultrasound real time visualization and a flexible endoscope. Tilt-tag staples constructed of nickel-titanium alloy are preferred. Removal of such tilt-tag staples can be facilitated by cooling a tilt-tag. Medical devices with an electrical lead can be implanted without conventional suturing by using one terminal tilt tag on the lead to implant it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a generally tubular prosthesis (1) for controlling the direction of flow in a duct (O) of a living organism. Said prosthesis consists of a biocompatible, elastically deformable material and comprises an annular proximal fixing part (1a) in a section (H) of the duct (O) with a greater diameter; and a distal part (1b) whose wall is designed in such a way that it can collapse on itself in the event that an overpressure is exerted on its outer surface. The diameter of said annular proximal fixing part (1a) is substantially equal to that of said section (H) of the duct (O) with a greater diameter and its resistance to crushing is significantly greater than that of the distal part (1b) of the prosthesis (1), so that the annular proximal part (1a) can retain the prosthesis (1) in the duct (O) of the living organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a generally tubular prosthesis (1) for controlling the direction of flow in a duct (O) of a living organism. Said prosthesis consists of a biocompatible, elastically deformable material and comprises an annular proximal fixing part (1a) in a section (H) of the duct (O) with a greater diameter; and a distal part (1b) whose wall is designed in such a way that it can collapse on itself in the event that an overpressure is exerted on its outer surface. The diameter of said annular proximal fixing part (1a) is substantially equal to that of said section (H) of the duct (O) with a greater diameter and its resistance to crushing is significantly greater than that of the distal part (1b) of the prosthesis (1) so that the annular proximal part (1a) can retain the prosthesis (1) in the duct (O) of the living organism.

Abstract: A prosthesis in the form of a flexible tube having a substantially uniform cross section is disclosed. The prosthesis comprises a flange (2) for endoscopically placing stitches or clips in a hiatal hernia (3), and a flexible tubular portion (1) enabling the tube to be squeezed by exerting a pressure (F) on the outer surface thereof in order to prevent reflux of the stomach contents into the esophagus. Food can pass freely through the prosthesis in the direction from the esophagus (4) to the stomach (5). The prosthesis is made of a biocompatible polymer optionally containing barium sulphate to make it detectable using X-rays.

Abstract: A bracket board is disclosed for supporting a bracket in which a base has disposed thereon a plurality of parallel horizontal facing panels. Each of the facing panels is separated from an adjacent facing panel by a horizontal groove. A reinforcing Z-section member is disposed in each of the horizontal grooves with the upper arm of each Z-section member being sandwiched between the base and an undercut on the lower edge of each facing panel.