Abstract: Several gastrointestinal surgery procedures are effective as treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Minimally invasive procedures including intra-luminal gastrointestinal implants have been proposed to mimic the anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes achieved by these procedures. Many of these designs include long sleeve like elements that prevent contact of food with the walls of the small intestine. It is desirable to have simple delivery systems that can place these implants under endoscopic guidance. However, in order to anchor these sleeve elements safely and reliably, the inventors have previously disclosed anchoring means that anchor the sleeves at the junctions of the stomach and the intestine or the stomach and esophagus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: A catheter valve for controlling the fluid flow of a medium, in particular a self-closing catheter valve, wherein a main body includes: —an inlet and an outlet-, —a flexible tube, —as a cover, a slider which is movable in the longitudinal direction, and —at the inlet of the catheter valve, a stepped barbed part for connecting a supply line; and, in the interior of the main body that comprises two laterally opposite vertical chambers, the catheter valve has two contradirectional downward inclines on the longitudinally movable slider for actuating and guiding two vertically movable magnets, which are arranged on two opposite sides of the valve house and selectively close or open the passage of said valve hose, wherein an adapter can be inserted and fastened at the outlet of the catheter valve and (in addition to the longitudinally movable slider) results in a permanent open position of the catheter valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering an anti-migration anchor to an implantable device includes a locator system having a head portion adapted to mate with the neck portion of the device, a locator capsule coupled to the head portion, and a plurality of arms coupled to the head portion and the locator capsule, the arms having a collapsed and an extended configuration. The system includes a catheter having a distal portion coupled to and extending from the head portion. The system includes a handle coupled to a portion of the catheter, the handle having a mechanism to effect relative motion between an inner and an outer member of the catheter to cause the arms to transition from the collapsed to the extended configuration. The system includes a plurality of elongate elements having a distal end coupled to the arm and configured to facilitate the delivery of an anti-migration anchor to the arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter valve for controlling the fluid flow of a medium, in particular a self-closing catheter valve, wherein a main body comprises: —an inlet and an outlet, —a flexible tube, —as a cover, a slider which is movable in the longitudinal direction, and —at the inlet of the catheter valve, a stepped barbed part for connecting a supply line; and, in the interior of the main body that comprises two laterally opposite vertical chambers, the catheter valve has two contradirectional downward inclines on the longitudinally movable slider. The problem addressed by the invention is that of developing a catheter valve, which: 1. is ergonomically effectively shaped, so that the patient can become accustomed to it even if they are bedridden for a long period of time, 2. since care costs are particularly significant for long-term patients, the catheter valve must be extremely economical, 3.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, the device having a central axis and a first expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a first cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the first cylinder having a length and a first face; a neck portion extending from the first face of the first expandable portion parallel to the central axis, the neck portion having a first end, a second end, a wall extending between the first end and second end, and a diameter sized to fit within a pylorus; and a second expandable portion comprising a hollow tubular braided structure of wire and having a second cylinder extending parallel to the central axis, the second cylinder having a second face located at the proximal end of the second cylinder and oriented transverse to the central axis.

Abstract: A system for delivering an anti-migration anchor to an implantable device includes a locator system having a head portion adapted to mate with the neck portion of the device, a locator capsule coupled to the head portion, and a plurality of arms coupled to the head portion and the locator capsule, the arms having a collapsed and an extended configuration. The system includes a catheter having a distal portion coupled to and extending from the head portion. The system includes a handle coupled to a portion of the catheter, the handle having a mechanism to effect relative motion between an inner and an outer member of the catheter to cause the arms to transition from the collapsed to the extended configuration. The system includes a plurality of elongate elements having a distal end coupled to the arm and configured to facilitate the delivery of an anti-migration anchor to the arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: Several gastrointestinal surgery procedures are effective as treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Minimally invasive procedures including intra-luminal gastrointestinal implants have been proposed to mimic the anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes achieved by these procedures. Many of these designs include long sleeve like elements that prevent contact of food with the walls of the small intestine. It is desirable to have simple delivery systems that can place these implants under endoscopic guidance. However, in order to anchor these sleeve elements safely and reliably, the inventors have previously disclosed anchoring means that anchor the sleeves at the junctions of the stomach and the intestine or the stomach and esophagus.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle, a distal tip unit, an endoscope shaft connecting the handle and the distal tip unit, a working channel provided in the endoscope shaft and extending from the endoscope handle towards the distal tip unit, and a suction valve configured to control a suction through the working channel and having a valve closed state and a valve open state. The suction valve includes: a housing having an inlet opening connected to the working channel and an outlet opening; and a piston unit inserted in the housing and including a movable piston, a button attached to the piston, a fixation ring arranged stationary in the housing and a spring arranged and acting between the fixation ring and the button or piston. The fixation ring is configured to urge the piston towards the inlet opening of the housing in the valve closed state.

Abstract: A method for recording mass production work cycles of a facility. The facility having a machine and a replaceable mass production tool which is secured to the machine and is moved by the machine. According to the method, number sequences are formed that indicate how many cycles have been carried out by a specific tool in cooperation with a specific machine. The required detection of the cooperation of the particular tool with the particular machine is carried out on the basis of a comparison between the time curves of the values of two measured physical variables, wherein one physical variable is measured on the tool, and the second physical variable is measured on the machine, the two physical variables being such that the values thereof change cyclically with the rhythm of the work cycle carried out by the tool and the machine together.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: A retrieval device comprising a hook assembly and a capsule assembly. The hook assembly has an attachment feature at a first end. The capsule assembly includes a capsule, a capsule shaft, and a handle connected in series and defining an inner bore. The capsule has a first end defining an opening. The inner bore of the capsule assembly is configured to slidably receive the hook assembly. The handle has a central portion, a first extension portion attached to the capsule shaft, and a second extension portion with a hook assembly lock at a second end. The hook assembly lock is configured to lock the hook assembly to the second extension portion. The second extension portion is configured to pull the hook assembly relative to the capsule shaft, and the first extension portion is configured to push the capsule shaft relative to the hook assembly along the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patient's anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.

Abstract: A system for delivering an anti-migration anchor to an implantable device includes a locator system having a head portion adapted to mate with the neck portion of the device, a locator capsule coupled to the head portion, and a plurality of arms coupled to the head portion and the locator capsule, the arms having a collapsed and an extended configuration. The system includes a catheter having a distal portion coupled to and extending from the head portion. The system includes a handle coupled to a portion of the catheter, the handle having a mechanism to effect relative motion between an inner and an outer member of the catheter to cause the arms to transition from the collapsed to the extended configuration. The system includes a plurality of elongate elements having a distal end coupled to the arm and configured to facilitate the delivery of an anti-migration anchor to the arm.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to move a medical instrument (2) by means of a medical device (1) in the longitudinal direction of the device and in the rotation direction transversely about the longitudinal direction by an actuating apparatus (3).

Abstract: Systems and methods for anchoring and restraining gastrointestinal prostheses are disclosed. In various examples, the systems and methods include securing a gastrointestinal device within a patients anatomy by extending an anti-migration anchor through a plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device to couple together the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device. In some examples, the anti-migration anchor extends through tissue situated between the plurality of portions of the gastrointestinal device.