Endoscopic plication device and method

US8469977B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Barosense, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Balbierz · Redwood City, US
• Dave Cole · Portland, US
• Samuel T. Crews · Palomar Park, US
• Brett Swope · Gaithersburg, US
• Andrew Smith · San Francisco, US
• John P. Lunsford · Redwood City, US
• Fiona M. Sander · Los Altos Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 8, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/306
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.