Methods and devices for manipulating tissue

摘要

The present invention includes a method and apparatus for adhering tissue to one another. In an embodiment of the present invention the two tissues to be joined, for example the lower esophagus and the fundus of the stomach, are first placed adjacent to one another. Next a first restraint is placed near the outside surface of one of the tissues and a second restraint is placed near the outside surface of the other tissue. An irritant is then placed between the two adjacent tissues. The restraints, and consequently the tissue surfaces, are then drawn together. As the touching irritated tissue surfaces heal they will become bonded to one another and their need for the mechanical fastening of the restraints, to secure them together, will be diminished.

主权项

1. A method of fastening two tissue portions, comprising:
creating a fold of tissue including a first gastrointestinal tissue portion and a second gastrointestinal tissue portion; fastening the first gastrointestinal tissue portion to the second gastrointestinal tissue portion with a fastener, wherein the fastener includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a connecting member for connecting the first and second anchors together, wherein the connecting member includes at least one spacer configured to maintain a spacing between the first and second anchors, wherein at least the second anchor is slidably connected to the connecting member, each of the first and second anchors is self-expanding, each of the first and second anchors includes a first material configured to promote tissue ingrowth, and each of the first and second anchors includes a heat-activated material including a nitinol wire configured to bend from a straight configuration to a spiral configuration at an elevated temperature; and expanding each of the first and second anchors from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration upon exposure of the heat-activated material to the elevated temperature.