Abstract: Gastrostomy feeding ports are disclosed which remain positively sealed after repeated and extensive use. In one embodiment, a valve housing defines an inner passageway to provide fluid communication into a long term indwelling catheter and includes a rigid compression collar portion which defines a valve member receiving cavity within the inner passageway. The resilient valve member has an outer peripheral edge which generally conforms in shape to the valve member receiving cavity but is larger in dimension than the cavity when uncompressed. The resilient valve member also includes an outer wall portion which extends away from the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm portion and which generally conforms in shape to the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an endoscopic extraction device which retains its operative usefulness for longer periods of time, and therefore need to be replaced less frequently. This extended instrument life is accomplished through the use of a composite wire construction, which includes, an inner monofilament wire of nitinol material surrounded by six stranded stainless steel wires. A wire construction in which a nitinol wire is surrounded by five stranded stainless steel wires is also disclosed. After constructing a wire basket in the normal manner using this material, heat is applied to the formed basket in its pre-formed shape to set the memory characteristics of the inner nitinol core.

Abstract: Operating channel/insufflation port assemblies are disclosed herein which facilitate the operation of percutaneous surgical procedures with remotely operable instrumentation. In one of the disclosed assemblies, an operating channel/insufflation port member defines an operating channel sized to receive remotely operable instrumentation, and an insufflation lumen. The port assembly is anchorable in place, extending percutaneously into the stomach with remotely operable instrumentation being advanceable through the operating channel and into the stomach, and with CO.sub.2 being passable into the stomach through the insufflation lumen. An insufflation valve member, connectable to said insufflation port, provides means for variably controlling the supply of CO.sub.2 into the stomach while a sealing member prevents gas leakage through the operating channel during operation/insufflation by providing a seal between the port member and the remotely operable instrumentation received therethrough.

Abstract: A technique for invaginating the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction is disclosed, as well as an invagination device useful in the described technique. The invagination device includes an introducer guide which has an outside diameter approximating that of the esophagus and a plurality of needle-receiving lumens extending to its outer diametric surface. The invagination device also has an engagement assembly which includes 10 needles, each having a retracted position in which they lie within the needle-receiving lumens of the introducer guide, and an extended position in which they extend out of the lumens and project radially from the guide for engagement with the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction.