Abstract: A method for forming an artificial valve includes inserting a sheath having proximal and distal sections and a lumen extending therethrough orally into a body cavity; inserting an endoscope orally into a body cavity, the endoscope being slidably positioned within the sheath; holding tissue in a vicinity of a junction of a stomach and an esophagus where the artificial valve is to be formed, using a holding device extending from the sheath; penetrating through tissue of the esophagus and then through tissue of the stomach at an oral side of the junction of the stomach and the esophagus with a needle provided outside of the endoscope which is not mechanically connected to the holding device and which is moveable outside of the endoscope relative to the endoscope; and passing a binding member through the tissue of the esophagus and the tissue of the stomach using the needle.

Abstract: A method for forming an artificial valve includes inserting a sheath having proximal and distal sections and a lumen extending therethrough orally into a body cavity; inserting an endoscope orally into a body cavity, the endoscope being slidably positioned within the sheath; holding tissue in a vicinity of a junction of a stomach and an esophagus where the artificial valve is to be formed, using a holding device extending from the sheath; penetrating through tissue of the esophagus and then through tissue of the stomach at an oral side of the junction of the stomach and the esophagus with a needle provided outside of the endoscope which is not mechanically connected to the holding device and which is moveable outside of the endoscope relative to the endoscope; and passing a binding member through the tissue of the esophagus and the tissue of the stomach using the needle.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: A tissue-piercing device is provided for use with a flexible endoscope for suturing or ligating tissues in body cavities. Two flexible sleeves are provided side by side along the endoscope such that a predetermined distance between the sleeves at a distal end of the endoscope is larger than a width of a channel of the endoscope. Two flexible piercing members are slidably provided in the two flexible sleeves, respectively, so as to extend from a proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope. And each of the flexible piercing members includes a needle.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: A biliary stent has a number of smooth-surfaced wings extending radially outwardly from a central region and extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the stent. A securement barb is located at one end of the stent and extends generally radially outwardly toward a side of the stent in cantilevered fashion at an angle less than or equal to 90°. The securement barb is angled such that it presents an outward-facing half-arrowhead profile. At least one end of the stent is smoothly or conically tapered. In one embodiment, the wings extend linearly along the stent; in another embodiment, the wings extend helically along the stent. Either embodiment may have a pigtail configuration at one or both ends.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Abstract: The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.