Abstract: A flow control device (300, 324, 330) for a bronchial passageway including: a flow control valve (307, 335); a braided wire structural frame (303) expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, in the collapsed configuration the frame is an extended tube and in the collapsed configuration the frame includes a wall contact section (310), a middle support section (312) within the wall contact section, and a fold (311) between and connecting the wall contact section and the middle support section; and a sealing membrane (305) mounted to at least a distal portion of the structural frame, wherein the sealing membrane forms an enclosed wall defining at least a portion of an airflow passage through the flow control device, and the flow control valve is included in the airflow passage and extending inward from the enclosed wall and at least partially within the wall contact section.

Abstract: A flow control device for a lobar bronchial passageway including: a one-way valve; a braided wire structural frame, wherein the structural frame is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; and a sealing membrane mounted to at least a distal portion of the structural frame, wherein the sealing membrane forms an enclosed wall defining at least a portion of an airflow passage through the flow control device, and the one-way valve is included in the airflow passage.

Abstract: A flow control device (241, 260, 300, 350, 450, 480, 500) for a bronchial passageway including: a one-way valve (273, 313, 360, 478, 511); a hollow structural frame (242, 302, 352, 453, 468, 509) housing the one-way valve, wherein the structural frame is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; and a sealing membrane (316, 470, 512) mounted to at least a distal portion of the structural frame, wherein the sealing membrane forms an enclosed wall defining at least a portion of an airflow passage through the flow control device, and the one-way valve is included in the airflow passage.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: An assembly is provided to facilitate the deployment of at least one fastener through tissue, such as stomach tissue. The assembly comprises a fastener deploying device arranged to deploy a fastener through the tissue and a snare arranged to bind the tissue and fastener deploying device together as the fastener deploying device deploys a fastener through the tissue.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: A system and method forms a gastric reduction pouch within a stomach associated with an esophagus. The method includes the steps of delivering, down the esophagus, a substantially planar annular member into the stomach, drawing stomach wall tissue to a juxtaposed relation with the annular member; and securing, to the annular member, the stomach wall tissue juxtaposed to the annular member.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds.

Abstract: An assembly is provided to facilitate the deployment of at least one fastener through tissue, such as stomach tissue. The assembly comprises a fastener deploying device arranged to deploy a fastener through the tissue and a snare arranged to bind the tissue and fastener deploying device together as the fastener deploying device deploys a fastener through the tissue.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: A system and method forms a gastric reduction pouch within a stomach associated with an esophagus. The method includes the steps of delivering, down the esophagus, a substantially planar annular member into the stomach, drawing stomach wall tissue to a juxtaposed relation with the annular member; and securing, to the annular member, the stomach wall tissue juxtaposed to the annular member.

Abstract: An assembly is provided to facilitate the deployment of at least one fastener through tissue, such as stomach tissue. The assembly comprises a fastener deploying device arranged to deploy a fastener through the tissue and a snare arranged to bind the tissue and fastener deploying device together as the fastener deploying device deploys a fastener through the tissue.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds. A device is disclosed that is particularly adapted to permit such gastric reduction of a previously formed gastric reduction pouch.

Abstract: A gastric reduction pouch of a stomach is formed by gathering stomach tissue circumferentially from within the stomach to form a reduced diameter stomach section. A plurality of fasteners are deployed within the gathered stomach tissue to maintain the reduced diameter stomach portion. The gathering step may include folding the stomach tissue to produce a plurality of stomach tissue folds.