Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has an elongated slot permitting fastener deployment while avoiding excessive tissue compression.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has an elongated slot permitting fastener deployment while avoiding excessive tissue compression.

Abstract: An assembly for restoring a gastroesophageal flap valve includes a restoration device substantially free for rotation. The assembly comprises an elongated member configured to be fed through a throat, down an adjoining esophagus and into an associated stomach. The elongated member has a distal end. The assembly further comprises a gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device carried on the distal end of the elongated member for placement in the stomach, and an invaginator carried by the elongated member. The invaginator is configured to grip the esophagus and the elongated member and invaginator are coupled for restricted relative axial movement and substantially free relative rotational movement.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device has sufficient flexibility and dimension to be passed through the mouth, throat, and esophagus of a patient into the patient's stomach. The device includes a first member and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member. The first and second members are configured to flex in a direction to follow the esophageal path into the stomach and to be substantially rigid when forming the restored gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

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 transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device has sufficient flexibility and dimension to be passed through the mouth, throat, and esophagus of a patient into the patient's stomach. The device includes a first member and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member. The first and second members are configured to flex in a direction to follow the esophageal path into the stomach and to be substantially rigid when forming the restored gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: A device for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ includes a tissue port and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may be coupled to a flexible filament, such as a suture, which is tensioned to constrict the hollow body organ to achieve volume reduction.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

Abstract: A device for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ includes a tissue port and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may be coupled to a flexible filament, such as a suture, which is tensioned to constrict the hollow body organ to achieve volume reduction.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has an elongated slot permitting fastener deployment while avoiding excessive tissue compression.

Abstract: A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has an elongated slot permitting fastener deployment while avoiding excessive tissue compression.

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 tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.

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: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.