Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors

摘要

Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the tissue manipulation assembly, which may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly. A deployment assembly is provided for securing engaged tissue via one or more tissue anchors, the deployment assembly also being configured to disengage the anchors endoluminally or laparoscopically.

主权项

1. A method of securing tissue within a hollow body organ, comprising:
endoluminally advancing a tissue grasping tool into the hollow body organ; pivoting the tissue grasping tool about a fixed pivot joint connecting the grasping tool to an elongate member; reversibly engaging the tissue within the hollow body organ with a tissue engagement member adjacent to the tissue grasping tool; pulling the engaged tissue with the tissue engagement member; clamping the engaged tissue with the tissue grasping tool; after engaging the tissue and pulling the tissue, piercing through the engaged tissue with a needle of an anchor deployment assembly, the needle having a sharpened tip, with the needle separate from the tissue engagement member; deploying a distal tissue anchor through the needle on a distal side of the engaged tissue; retracting the needle to a proximal side of the engaged tissue; deploying a proximal tissue anchor through the needle on the proximal side of the engaged tissue, with a suture connecting the proximal and distal tissue anchors; and severing the suture adjacent to the proximal anchor using the sharpened tip of the needle, thereby releasing the proximal and distal anchors from the anchor deployment assembly.