Abstract: A novel approach to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the peritoneal cavity is described. More specifically, a technique for accessing the peritoneal cavity via the wall of the digestive tract is provided so that examination of and/or a surgical procedure in the peritoneal cavity can be conducted via the wall of the digestive tract with the use of a flexible endoscope. As presently proposed, the technique is particularly adapted to transgastric peritoneoscopy. However, access in addition or in the alternative through the intestinal wall is contemplated and described as well. Transgastric and/or transintestinal peritoneoscopy will have an excellent cosmetic result as there are no incisions in the abdominal wall and no potential for visible post-surgical scars or hernias.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system. The system comprises a flexible endoscope insertable into a first tubular organ from a natural opening of a human body. The system further comprises an opening member which forms on a wall part of the first tubular organ an opening used to insert the endoscope into an abdominal cavity from the first tubular organ in the body, an anastomosing member which is able to anastomoses the first tubular organ with a second tubular organ in the abdominal cavity, and a cutting member with which the second tubular organ is able to be cut.

Abstract: A transluminal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system. The system comprises a flexible endoscope insertable into a first tubular organ from a natural opening of a human body. The system further comprises an opening member which forms on a wall part of the first tubular organ an opening used to insert the endoscope into an abdominal cavity from the first tubular organ in the body, an anastomosing member which is able to anastomoses the first tubular organ with a second tubular organ in the abdominal cavity, and a cutting member with which the second tubular organ is able to be cut.

Abstract: An implantation device for releasably holding implantable microstimulators can be used to guide one or more microstimulators to any site within the gastrointestinal tract for implantation. The device can further releasably hold one or more ligation clips for securing the one or more microstimulators in place within the implantation site(s) and/or for closing an incision in which a microstimulator is implanted. The device can be employed using open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic techniques.

Abstract: A transluminal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component.

Abstract: A translumenal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing the peritoneal cavity and for ligation of fallopian tubes. A representative method includes using an endoscope to orally access a gastric wall. The gastric wall is punctured to provide access to a peritoneal cavity. The endoscope is advanced into the peritoneal cavity through the puncture. A fallopian tube is located and ligated. The endoscope is removed.

Abstract: A novel approach to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the peritoneal cavity is described. More specifically, a technique for accessing the peritoneal cavity via the wall of the digestive tract is provided so that examination of and/or a surgical procedure in the peritoneal cavity can be conducted via the wall of the digestive tract with the use of a flexible endoscope. As presently proposed, the technique is particularly adapted to transgastric peritoneoscopy. However, access in addition or in the alternative through the intestinal wall is contemplated and described as well. Transgastric and/or transintestinal peritoneoscopy will have an excellent cosmetic result as there are no incisions in the abdominal wall and no potential for visible post-surgical scars or hernias.

Abstract: There is provided an anastomosis system for performing an anastomosis in a body. The system includes an anastomosis button, which has two foldable flange portions and a tubular main body portion extending between the flange portions, for coupling two lumen portions in the body to each other, and a housing which can receive the anastomosis button as the flange portions are folded. The system further includes a guide, which has a distal end to be inserted through a patient's mouth to a target portion in the body and a proximal end arranged outside the body, for guiding the housing to the target portion. A release line having a distal end to be inserted to the target portion along the guide and a proximal end held outside the body is operated, whereby the anastomosis button can be ejected from the housing and be held at the target portion.

Abstract: An implantation device for releasably holding implantable microstimulators can be used to guide one or more microstimulators to any site within the gastrointestinal tract for implantation. The device can further releasably hold one or more ligation clips for securing the one or more microstimulators in place within the implantation site(s) and/or for closing an incision in which a microstimulator is implanted. The device can be employed using open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic techniques.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system. The system comprises a flexible endoscope insertable into a first tubular organ from a natural opening of a human body. The system further comprises an opening member which forms on a wall part of the first tubular organ an opening used to insert the endoscope into an abdominal cavity from the first tubular organ in the body, an anastomosing member which is able to anastomoses the first tubular organ with a second tubular organ in the abdominal cavity, and a cutting member with which the second tubular organ is able to be cut.

Abstract: A translumenal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system. The system comprises a flexible endoscope insertable into a first tubular organ from a natural opening of a human body. The system further comprises an opening member which forms on a wall part of the first tubular organ an opening used to insert the endoscope into an abdominal cavity from the first tubular organ in the body, an anastomosing member which is able to anastomoses the first tubular organ with a second tubular organ in the abdominal cavity, and a cutting member with which the second tubular organ is able to be cut.

Abstract: The endoscopic system includes an endoscope having an insertion portion which is inserted into a body and has a forceps insertion duct, and a light emitting member which has an end portion that emits the light and is inserted into a hollow organ in the body through the forceps insertion duct of the endoscope. The light emitting member issues positional information of the hollow organ which is detected through the endoscope orally and gastrically inserted into an abdominal cavity by causing the end portion to emit the light in the hollow organ. The system includes a treatment instrument by which a treatment is conducted in the abdominal cavity in cooperation with the endoscope.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible guide tube which guides an endoscope or a therapeutic device into an abdominal cavity through the mouth and stomach to conduct an observation or a therapeutic treatment in the abdominal cavity. The guide tube includes an insertion section which has a distal end, a peripheral section, and a central axis, and which is capable of being inserted into a body through the mouth, and two expandable and shrinkable balloons arranged in the vicinity of the distal end at a predetermined distance from each other in the axial direction on the periphery of the insertion section. The predetermined distance is preferably set to 3 to 8 mm, and the length of the insertion section is preferably set to about 600 to 1000 mm.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic treatment system. The system includes an endoscope having an insertion portion which is inserted into a body and has a forceps insertion duct, and a light emitting member which has an end portion that emits the light and is inserted into a hollow organ in the body through the forceps insertion duct of the endoscope. The light emitting member issues positional information of the hollow organ which is detected through the endoscope orally and gastrically inserted into an abdominal cavity by causing the end portion to emit the light in the hollow organ. The system includes a treatment instrument by which a treatment is conducted in the abdominal cavity in cooperation with the endoscope.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible guide tube which guides an endoscope or a therapeutic device into an abdominal cavity through the mouth and stomach to conduct an observation or a therapeutic treatment in the abdominal cavity. The guide tube includes an insertion section which has a distal end, a peripheral section, and a central axis, and which is capable of being inserted into a body through the mouth, and two expandable and shrinkable balloons arranged in the vicinity of the distal end at a predetermined distance from each other in the axial direction on the periphery of the insertion section. The predetermined distance is preferably set to 3 to 8 mm, and the length of the insertion section is preferably set to about 600 to 1000 mm.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic inserting system. The system includes an endoscope which is inserted into a lumen inside a body through a natural opening of a human body, an opening member which forms an opening for inserting the endoscope into a thoracic cavity or an abdominal cavity from the lumen inside the body at a wall portion of the lumen, and a retracting member which, when forming the opening, retracts the wall portion of the lumen.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic system.