Abstract: An incisionless fully endoscopic method of reducing the capacity of the stomach is provided to surgically treat obesity. The method is directed to endoluminal tissue approximation of a portion of the stomach, including at least a portion of the greater curvature thereof. The method includes a pattern of stitching in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. One stitching pattern causes the lateral portion of the stomach to be drawn to reduce the usable volume of the stomach while maintaining a pathway from the esophagus to the pylorus. As the stitching pattern advances, the fundus is automatically drawn downward so that it may be endoscopically approached for stitching in a facilitated manner According to another aspect of the invention, another stitching pattern extends from the antrum to the fundus between the anterior and posterior portions of the stomach.

Abstract: An incisionless fully endoscopic method of reducing the capacity of the stomach is provided to surgically treat obesity. The method is directed to endoluminal tissue approximation of a portion of the stomach, including at least a portion of the greater curvature thereof. The method includes a pattern of stitching in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. One stitching pattern causes the lateral portion of the stomach to be drawn to reduce the usable volume of the stomach while maintaining a pathway from the esophagus to the pylorus. As the stitching pattern advances, the fundus is automatically drawn downward so that it may be endoscopically approached for stitching in a facilitated manner. According to another aspect of the invention, another stitching pattern extends from the antrum to the fundus between the anterior and posterior portions of the stomach.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a flexible sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope, wherein the endoscope comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle disposed at the proximal end of the endoscope, and wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a sleeve lumen extending therebetween, and further wherein the sleeve is configured to be slid over the exterior of the endoscope so as to substantially cover the exterior of the endoscope from a point adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope to a point adjacent to the handle of the endoscope; a balloon secured to the distal end of the sleeve; an inflation/deflation tube carried by the sleeve and in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon; and a pair of push tubes mounted to the sleeve.

Abstract: An incisionless fully endoscopic method of reducing the capacity of the stomach is provided to surgically treat obesity. The method is directed to endoluminal tissue approximation of a portion of the stomach, including at least a portion of the greater curvature thereof. The method includes a pattern of stitching in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. One stitching pattern causes the lateral portion of the stomach to be drawn to reduce the usable volume of the stomach while maintaining a pathway from the esophagus to the pylorus. As the stitching pattern advances, the fundus is automatically drawn downward so that it may be endoscopically approached for stitching in a facilitated manner. According to another aspect of the invention, another stitching pattern extends from the antrum to the fundus between the anterior and posterior portions of the stomach.

Abstract: A detachment actuator for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guide and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The detachment actuator includes a first portion that is connected the implantable medical device and a second portion that is attached to a control member the controls the release of the medical device, The second portion of the detachment actuator detaches and moves away from the first portion of the detachment actuator to move the control member and release the medical device.

Abstract: An incisionless fully endoscopic method of reducing the capacity of the stomach is provided to surgically treat obesity. The method is directed to endoluminal tissue approximation of a portion of the stomach, including at least a portion of the greater curvature thereof. The method includes a pattern of stitching in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. One stitching pattern causes the lateral portion of the stomach to be drawn to reduce the usable volume of the stomach while maintaining a pathway from the esophagus to the pylorus. As the stitching pattern advances, the fundus is automatically drawn downward so that it may be endoscopically approached for stitching in a facilitated manner. According to another aspect of the invention, another stitching pattern extends from the antrum to the fundus between the anterior and posterior portions of the stomach.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: A handle for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guides and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The handle includes a rotatable member, rotation of which causes movement of a control member of the deployment system in an axial direction. An actuator in a handle may include a threaded portion which has at least two different pitch sizes.

Abstract: A detachment actuator for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guide and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The detachment actuator includes a first portion that is connected the implantable medical device and a second portion that is attached to a control member the controls the release of the medical device, The second portion of the detachment actuator detaches and moves away from the first portion of the detachment actuator to move the control member and release the medical device.

Abstract: A medical device for placing a very small embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining a headpiece with an attached embolic coil such that when the catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal tip of the catheter expands outwardly to release the headpiece and coil at the preselected position.

Abstract: An actuator handle for use with an implantable medical device deployment system. The actuator handle includes a first actuator and a second actuator for manipulating and controlling first and second retaining members of the deployment system to effectuate release of a medical device from the deployment system.

Abstract: Stents implantable within a body vessel include a strut with a receiving surface. The receiving surface has two openings passing through this surface. A radiopaque marker has a first prong received at least in part by one of the openings and a second prong received at least in part by the other opening. Approaches and methods are provided for enhancing engagement of the marker to the strut to prevent unintentional removal or dissociation of the marker from the strut.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.

Abstract: An aneurysm neck cover is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm neck cover includes a first and second expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing members a slightly cupped configuration. The expandable sealing members are connected with a support element. When the aneurysm neck cover is deployed within the aneurysm, the first sealing member expands within the aneurysm while the second sealing member expands within an adjacent blood vessel thereby forming a seal around the mouth of the aneurysm and preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolic device is disclosed for use in occluding the flow of blood within an aneurysm. The aneurysm embolic device includes an expandable sealing member having a circular joining member and reinforcing spokes which give the sealing member a slightly cupped configuration. The embolic device also includes an occlusive member carried by the expandable sealing member. When the aneurysm embolic device is deployed within the aneurysm, the sealing member expands and the occlusive member fills the aneurysm preventing the flow of blood within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A medical device for placing a very small embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining a headpiece with an attached embolic coil such that when the catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal tip of the catheter expands outwardly to release the headpiece and coil at the preselected position.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member movably disposed within the catheter. An embolic device is detachably coupled to the pusher member and is retained in place on the distal end of the pusher member by a detachment filament. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment filament is decoupled from the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device.

Abstract: A medical device for placing a very small embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining a headpiece with an attached embolic coil such that when the catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal tip of the catheter expands outwardly to release the headpiece and coil at the preselected position.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.