METHODS AND DEVICES FOR FASTENER REMOVAL

摘要

Methods and devices for removing fasteners from tissue are described. One method is directed to surgically reversing a gastric restriction created using one or more fasteners. the fasteners can be disengaged from the gastric tissue and subsequently removed from the gastric tissue site. The method can utilize an endoscopically delivered fastener-extraction device to sever the fasteners by applying energy. In an exemplary device for removing fasteners, a substantially elongate body can include a fastener catch for selectively engaging tissue-attached fasteners. The device can also include a fastener-severing member and at least one fastener-removal element. The fastener-removal element can be adapted to be an energy delivery member that delivers an argon plasma to sever fasteners, whi le the fastener catch is adapted to shield tissue from direct energy contact.