Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastro-esophageal junction.

Abstract: A modular device for tissue resection includes a housing, a motor, a tissue receiving chamber, a grabbing mechanism and a resection mechanism. The housing includes a guide track receiving lumen extending therethrough. The motor is mounted within the housing. The motor is selectively engageable with a guide track received within the guide track lumen to move the modular device therealong. The tissue receiving chamber is formed within the housing. The grabbing mechanism draws a selected portion of tissue into the tissue receiving chamber. The resection mechanism resects the selected portion of tissue.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first longitudinally accessible lumen and a second lumen extend side by side within and along the proximal portion, and the first lumen and the second lumen form a single common lumen within the distal portion which extends to a distal end of the distal portion. The first lumen and second lumen are co-axial within the distal portion prior to forming a single common lumen.

Abstract: A multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the surgical instrument includes a catheter, a bipolar hemostat assembly, an attachment member, and a surgical tool. The bipolar hemostat assembly includes an electrical connector at a proximal end, a bipolar electrode assembly at a distal end, and first and second electrical leads extending from the proximal end to the distal end and disposed within the catheter. The bipolar electrode assembly includes an aperture that extends axially therethrough. The attachment member is disposed within the catheter and has a proximal end and a distal end where the distal end is movable within the aperture of the bipolar electrode assembly between a first position wherein the distal end is extended from the bipolar electrode assembly and a second position wherein the distal end is retracted within the bipolar electrode assembly. The surgical tool is attached to the distal end of the attachment member.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a surgical clip to a surgical site within a patient's body to compress body tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment for the system of the present invention, the system includes an endoscopic device that has an endoscope cap disposed on a distal end of the endoscopic device. A surgical clip is removably disposed on an outside surface of the endoscope cap. A deployment device is associated with the surgical clip for deploying the surgical clip from the endoscope cap to the body tissue that is to be compressed. The surgical clip can be a deformable clip that is deployed in a non deformed configuration, and is then deformed so as to apply compression on selected tissue. The surgical clip can be a multi legged clip, having a plurality of legs that can be locked in a closed position to apply compression to body tissue.

Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.

Abstract: An endoluminal access system for accessing a body lumen, comprises a guide track which, when in an operative position, extends through a body lumen to a desired location therewithin and a modular device selectively coupleable to the guide track, the modular device including a drive mechanism for engaging the guide track to move the modular device along the guide track within the body lumen.

Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release

Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip comprises a handle assembly, a shaft connected to a distal portion thereof and a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. The clip assembly includes clip arms and a capsule cooperating with the clip arms to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a control wire including a ball connector, the control wire extending from the handle assembly and coupled to the clip assembly by the ball connector to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ball connector is detachable from the clip assembly to provide a second user feedback indicating separation of the clip assembly from the shaft.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member.

Abstract: A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end portion of the member.