EP1578257A1 - Ecarteur et son procede d'utilisation - Google Patents

Ecarteur et son procede d'utilisation

Info

Publication number
EP1578257A1
EP1578257A1 EP03814651A EP03814651A EP1578257A1 EP 1578257 A1 EP1578257 A1 EP 1578257A1 EP 03814651 A EP03814651 A EP 03814651A EP 03814651 A EP03814651 A EP 03814651A EP 1578257 A1 EP1578257 A1 EP 1578257A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
needles
retractor
tissue
head
retractor according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03814651A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1578257A4 (fr
Inventor
Kevin Smith
Matthew Palmer
Juergen Kortenbach
Robert Sixto
Jorge Pinos
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kortenbach Juergen A
Smith Kevin W
ID LLC
Original Assignee
Kortenbach Juergen A
Smith Kevin W
ID LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kortenbach Juergen A, Smith Kevin W, ID LLC filed Critical Kortenbach Juergen A
Publication of EP1578257A1 publication Critical patent/EP1578257A1/fr
Publication of EP1578257A4 publication Critical patent/EP1578257A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/068—Surgical staplers, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors
    • A61B17/0218—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors for minimally invasive surgery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/00234—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery
    • A61B2017/00349—Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00743—Type of operation; Specification of treatment sites
    • A61B2017/00818—Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
    • A61B2017/00827—Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00831—Material properties
    • A61B2017/00867—Material properties shape memory effect

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tissue retractor, especially a flexible tissue retractor used as an endoscopic device that is passed through a working channel of a flexible endoscope.
  • the tissue retractor has application in endoscopic and open surgery, including flexible endoscopy, laparoscopy, and general surgery. It can be made rigid or flexible and in lengths and diameters to suit the requirements of the surgical field.
  • the flexible endoscopic tissue retractor is used to hold gastrointestinal tissue so that it can be retracted or manipulated in some way.
  • the tissue retractor can be configured to allow grasping of specific layers of the gastrointestinal wall by adjusting the shape and/or length of the needles and their exit points at the tip of the device.
  • it can be configured to grasp through the mucosal layer, and into the muscular layer, thus providing a more secure connection to the tissue and allowing manipulation of the entire thickness of the tissue.
  • it can be configured to grasp the mucosal layer allowing manipulation of the mucosal layer only.
  • GSD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,494,888 Bl to Laufer et al. (referred to hereinafter as "Laufer") describes an instrument for reconfiguring stomach tissue.
  • a tissue manipulator 700 includes an elongated cable assembly 716 and a distal end effector 718 actuated by the cable assembly 716 to perform various steps in the tissue reconfiguring procedure. See Laufer at FIGS. 9A to 9F.
  • the end effector 718 has two jaw members 720, 722 that engage tissue, in particular, tissue at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) .
  • GEJ gastroesophageal junction
  • a coil 740 is rotated into the GEJ tissue and, after being screwed therein to a sufficient extent, is used to pull the GEJ tissue between the opening defined by the two jaw members 720, 722 in an open position illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 9D and 9E .
  • the coil tissue puller 740, 741, 742 is shown, in particular, in FIG. 3D.
  • the puller has certain disadvantages, however. The coil 740 can penetrate too far, causing possible negative consequences if the stomach is entirely breached (through the mucosa, muscularis, and serosa layers).
  • the coil 740 passes through the serosa, there is a significant chance of damage to the vital organs. Also, upon withdrawal, the coil 740, due to its inherent shape, can become stuck in the tissue and, thereby, cause damage to the tissue when the user must forcefully retract the entire assembly 718. Depending on the angle of entry, it is possible that the coil 740 only enters the mucosa. If this occurs, because the mucosa is a relatively thin, loosely attached layer, there is a high probability that the fastener 732, 734 will be only implanted in the mucosa and, therefore, result in a failed implantation procedure.
  • the tissue is compressed disadvantageously because rotation of the coil can twist the tissue as the coil is threaded in, which twisting can damage the tissue and cause it to weaken.
  • the coil must be rotated. It is inherently more difficult to transmit torque through a slender flexible device than it is to transmit thrust loads, thus, pushing the needles into the tissue is a more reliable actuation measure than twisting the coil into the tissue.
  • the forces applied to the tissue by the engaging point of the device is not accompanied by an opposite reacting force of another engaging point of the device, all reaction forces must be provided through the shaft of the device.
  • a common general flexible endoscopic tissue grasper is most widely used today for manipulating gastrointestinal tissue (for example, one that is made by the Olympus company under the name Olympus Grasping Forceps (Catalog Number FG- 49L-1) ) .
  • a drawback to the Olympus grasper is its inability to reliably grasp muscularis through the mucosal layer.
  • Another drawback is the requirement to maintain pressure on the handle while grasping the tissue. This ties up the user' s hands and could lead to inadvertent release of the tissue.
  • the prior art devices are not constructed to easily, securely, selectively, and precisely engage the tissue during the surgical procedure.
  • the tissue in the alimentary tract has three main layers that are, from the innermost layer to outermost layer, the mucosa, the muscularis, and the serosa.
  • the mucosa is a relatively thin layer, loosely attached to the muscularis, and retraction of the mucosa only will not provide a sufficient plication for insertion of a fastener for the treatment of GERD. Retraction of entire thickness of the stomach wall is desired, as such retraction will provide a beneficial plication for insertion of a GERD-treating plication fastener. It is not desirable to perforate the serosal layer.
  • tissue retractor and method for using the retractor that overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that can effectively grab the tissue of the alimentary tract during operation and avoid reaching into the serosa, and can grab the tissue without compressing and/or tearing the tissue.
  • Various endoscopic procedures require manipulation of specific layers in the gastric wall. For instance, in the case of mucosal resection, the mucosa is tented away from the muscularis and resected away. Such a procedure is currently performed by injecting fluid beneath the mucosa to, thus, lift the mucosa from the muscularis. The mucosal tissue is, then, resected using electrocautery.
  • the tissue retractor of the present invention can be used to selectively grasp the mucosa and lift it from the muscularis, thus enabling and simplifying mucosal resection.
  • the stronger muscular layer of the gastric wall must be grasped to ensure that the full thickness of the wall will be retracted when forming the plication.
  • the retractor can be made to selectively grasp the different layers in the gastric wall. Being able to grasp a specific layer of the gastrointestinal wall is advantageous depending on the requirements of the specific procedure being performed.
  • the tissue retractor of the present invention has applications in laparoscopic and general surgery as well. It can be used to retract organs that are in the way of the surgical field, or to appose and hold tissue in-place during suturing.
  • An advantage to an organ retractor or tissue apposition device is the ability to retain the tissue without having to clamp onto it.
  • the tissue retractor atraumatically retains the tissue by penetrating it with fine needles.
  • the needles can be formed with a conical point instead of a faceted point. This is especially advantageous when retracting sensitive organs such as the pancreas.
  • tissue graspers use more aggressive serrated articulating end effectors, which require clamping forces to retain the tissue and, therefore, potentially cause trauma in the process.
  • a common procedure during flexible endoscopy is the exchange of an endoscope during a procedure.
  • the tissue retractor could be used to guide the second scope into the position of the first scope.
  • a flexible endoscopic version of the retractor according to the present invention can be provided with a removable handle. Therefore, when a scope exchange is necessary, the tissue retractor can be passed through the first scope and deployed in the tissue at the desired location. The handle of the tissue retractor can, then, be removed. The first scope can, then, be slid over the tissue retractor shaft, leaving the retractor shaft in- place, and removed. Then, the second scope can be fed over the tissue retractor shaft, much like a guidewire, and the scope advanced to the original position.
  • a version of the retractor can be made that allows the distal tip of the retractor to be deployed in the tissue and, then, decoupled from the main shaft.
  • the distal tip of the device is coupled removably to the shaft and the actuation wire is coupled removably to the needles.
  • the needles are deployed on the target tissue and the shaft of the device is pulled proximally, thus allowing the actuation wire to slip free of the needles and the tip to slide free of the shaft.
  • the released tip being firmly attached to the tissue has application as a marker, suture attachment points for a purse string closure, a tissue apposition suture, and an anchoring point for various things such as pH probes, miniature capsule cameras, and feeding tubes .
  • the device and method of the present invention allows the needles to be configured such that they can be made to penetrate deep through the mucosa and into the muscularis, making a more secure attachment to the tissue, while substantially reducing the possibility of puncturing the serosa, or penetrate less deep to grasp only the mucosal layer.
  • the present invention in the two-needle embodiment, engages the tissue at two opposing points, so that the tissue-engaging forces of each point react against the forces of the other; the result is that there is very little reaction load transmitted to the flexible shaft of the device. This deployment of the device does not require substantial torque or thrust loads to be supplied by the shaft.
  • the present invention provides better visibility during placement of the retractor as no jaws are used that could obscure a view of the retraction site.
  • the handle can be released from the user's grasp after the needles have been deployed, while still maintaining a secure attachment to the tissue, which frees the user to do other tasks after the tissue has been manipulated or is being manipulated.
  • the tissue retractor is separate from an endoscope but sized to fit within a working channel of the endoscope.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view from a side above a distal end of the flexible tissue retractor according to the invention with needles in a deployed position;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective side view of the distal end of the retractor of FIG. 1 with a cut-away portion of a left side of the outer jacket to show the interior of the retractor;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective side view of the distal end of the retractor of FIG. 1 with a cut-away portion of a right side of the outer jacket to show the interior of the retractor;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective side view of the distal end of the retractor of FIG. 3 with a greater cut-away portion of the right side of the outer jacket and with the needles in a slightly retracted position;
  • FIGS. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective side view of the distal end of the retractor of FIG. 4 with the needles in a fully retracted position;
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the needles and the actuation rod of FIGS. 2 to 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded view of the components of a larger portion of the retractor of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective and partially broken away view of the distal portion of the retractor of FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a distal end of the flexible tissue retractor according to the invention with needles in a deployed position;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a handle at a proximal end of the retractor according to the invention in a retracted position;
  • FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of some components of the handle of FIG. 10 in a deployed position;
  • FIG. 12 is an exploded view of some of the components of the handle of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of some components of the handle of FIG. 10 in the retracted position;
  • FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of the distal components of the handle of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a button assembly of the handle of FIG. 10 along section line 15-15;
  • FIGS. 16 to 23 are fragmentary, partially cross- sectional and partially plan views of the method of using the retractor according to the invention to retract tissue at different retraction angles;
  • FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional and partially plan view of the method of using the retractor according to the invention with needle exit windows more proximal to the tip than in FIGS. 16 to 23;
  • FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, side view of a plication device coupled to an endoscope during insertion of the two into the stomach;
  • FIG. 26 is a fragmentary, perspective side view of the plication device separated from the endoscope and shown with the jaws in an open position
  • FIG. 27 is a fragmentary, perspective side view similar to FIG. 26, and additionally shows the retractor according to the invention advanced through the endoscope and engaging the target tissue at which a plication is desired to be made;
  • FIG. 28 is a fragmentary, perspective side view shown with the jaws of the plication device plicating the target tissue and a plication fastener in a locked configuration
  • FIG. 29 is a fragmentary, perspective side view shown with the jaws of the plication device opened around the target tissue and the fastener plicating the target tissue
  • FIG. 30 is a fragmentary, perspective side view shown with the jaws of the plication device in an open position and the fastener disposed therein
  • FIGS. 31 through 41 are fragmentary partially cross- sectional and partially elevational views illustrating the procedure according to the invention in which the retractor is advanced through a working channel of an endoscope into the stomach and operated under view of the endoscope.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a distal portion of a flexible tissue retractor 1 according to the invention with needles 4 in a deployed or extended position.
  • a distal tip 5 is assembled at a distal end of an outer jacket 8.
  • the distal tip 5 is fastened to the distal end of the outer jacket 8.
  • the distal tip 5 can have a mushroom-shaped head 52 with a cylindrical body radially smaller than the head 52.
  • the body can be slidably inserted into the hollow distal end of the outer jacket 8 and fastened thereto using any fastening measure.
  • the body can be welded, heat-shrunk, melted, or glued into the outer jacket 8 or the body can have a male thread that is screwed into a female thread disposed on the interior surface of distal end of the outer jacket 8.
  • the distal tip 5 may be formed, for example, as a single piece or from two non-illustrated half-pieces secured together. If the distal tip 5 is constructed from two halves, then they must self-lock. Accordingly, the tip halves can each be formed with two holes and two pins, for example, with the holes and pins each respectively fitting into corresponding pins and holes formed in the other tip half to fix the two tip halves together.
  • the tip halves need not be mirror- opposite. They can be identical with respect to the shape of the holes and pins.
  • any similar fastening device, or combinations thereof can be used to lock the tip halves to one another, i.e., screws, rivets, catch tabs and slots, and/or catch cylinders and holes.
  • the tip can be made from a thin walled deep drawn part with a rounded end to maximize the internal diameter of the tip, thus allowing for arcuate needles of greater chord height (shorter, smaller radius) to fit within.
  • the exit windows for the needles can be pierced through the wall as part of the deep drawing operation or machined through using various methods including at least one of: wire EDM, laser, conventional milling, etc.
  • the distal tip 5 and the outer jacket 8 together define an exit window 6 at each side of the distal end for receiving therethrough a respective one of the needles 4.
  • the distal tip 5 can solely define the exit window 6 at each side thereof for receiving therethrough a respective one of the needles 4.
  • the needles 4 are, preferably, made of steel, and, therefore, substantially rigid, and are pre-formed into an arcuate shape.
  • the needles 4 can also be made of ceramic, such as alumina or zirconia, or of a polymer, such as ULTEM® or a liquid crystal polymer.
  • FIGS. 2 to 5 are side views with various cut-away portions of the outer jacket 8 showing the components in the interior of the outer jacket 8.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 the needles 4 are fully extended.
  • the cut-away view of FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred connection of a first side of the right-extending needle 4 (as viewed in FIG. 2) to a column-shaped actuation rod 3.
  • the cut-away view of FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred connection of the first side of the left-extending needle 4 (as viewed in FIG. 3) to the actuation rod 3.
  • FIG. 4 the needles 4 are partially retracted into the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8.
  • the cut-away view of FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred connection of the needles 4 to the actuation rod 3 by showing connection of the first side of the right-extending needle 4 and of the second side of the left-extending needle 4 (as viewed in FIG. 4).
  • the needles 4 are fully retracted within the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8.
  • the needles 4 are connected movably to the actuation rod 3, preferably, pivotably to the rod 3.
  • the needles 4 can be crimped, bent, or otherwise fastened to the actuation rod 3, or the needles 4 can be formed as an integral part of the actuation rod 3, so long as the needles 4 can move relative to the rod 3.
  • the preferred embodiment of the retractor 1 has two needles 4. However, the number of needles can be reduced or expanded to suit particular needs.
  • FIGS. 1 to 5 show different views of the needles 4 between retracted and extended positions.
  • the entirety of such movement is referred to as selective movement because actuation of the needles is selected by a user anywhere between the fully retracted and fully extended positions.
  • the phrases "without substantial deformation” or “substantially non-deformable” or “substantially rigid” with respect to the needles 4 means that the needles 4 flex in the elastic range of the material with which the needles are made and can, in some circumstances, flex beyond the plastic range. These definitions do not include pseudo-elastic materials.
  • the needles 4 are made of steel, they flex in the elastic range typical of stainless steels such as, for example, hard- drawn 304 Steel and 17-7 condition C H900 steel and are not intended to be stressed beyond the respective yield point under normal use.
  • the shape and location of the exit windows 6 are chosen so that the needles 4 can freely extend out of or retract into the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8 without substantial deformation.
  • the needles 4 are curved so that each needle 4 is guaranteed to exit its respective .window 6.
  • the device can also be made with a material that plastically deforms instead of only deforming elastically. In such a case, the device would not be used so many times that the needles would fail because of low-cycle fatigue. If, for example, fully-annealed Monel wire were used, the device could be cycled many times before failing even though it were deforming plastically.
  • the needles 4 when the needles 4 are fully retracted into the outer jacket 8 (as shown in FIG. 5) , the needles 4 first curve away from the rod 3 so that a surface of the needles 4 that is radially furthest away from the distal tip axis 13 slightly contacts the interior surface of the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8 at a point 54 on a first longitudinal line (parallel to the axis 13) of the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8. Distal from the point 54, the needles 4 curve back towards the axis 13- and, preferably, past the axis 13 in a direction opposite (180°) the first longitudinal line.
  • the curve back of the needles 4 can extend until the points 42 of the needles 4 almost contact the interior surface of the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8 near a point in a second longitudinal line (parallel to the axis 13) that is opposite (180°) the first longitudinal line.
  • the needle points 42 can be configured to prevent snagging and, therefore, can extend to contact the interior surface of the distal tip 5/outer jacket 8.
  • the needles 4 have needle ends 44 that are, preferably, tapered. Therefore, as shown in the upper-most portion of FIG. 5, such a taper forms a cam follower 46 for the cam surface 56 on the inside/underside of the head 52 of the distal tip 5.
  • the retractor 1 can be configured to selectively grasp a desired number of layers depending upon the curve of the needles 4 and the size and/or orientation of the window 6. Particularly with regard to stomach tissue, the retractor 1 can be used to selectively grasp the mucosa 202 (see FIGS. 16 to 23) and lift it from the muscularis 204, thus enabling and simplifying mucosal resection. In the case of forming a full thickness plication in the stomach, the stronger muscular layer of the gastric wall must be grasped to ensure that the full thickness of the wall will be retracted when forming the plication (see FIGS. 28, 29, and 39 to 41).
  • the retractor 1 can be made to selectively grasp the different layers in the gastric wall. Being able to grasp a specific layer of the gastrointestinal wall is advantageous depending on the requirements of the specific procedure being performed.
  • FIG. 7 A larger portion of the retractor 1 is shown in the exploded view of FIG. 7, in which an outer jacket 8 surrounds a coil winding 7. Also shown are a sheath 9 (preferably, of polyethylene or TEFLON®) , a coil connector 10, and a strain relief 11, each of which will be explained in further detail below.
  • a sheath 9 preferably, of polyethylene or TEFLON®
  • a coil connector 10 preferably, of polyethylene or TEFLON®
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the connection between the actuation wire 2 and the rod 3 in a partially broken away view of the distal end of the retractor 1.
  • the rod 3 is, preferably, integral with the actuation wire 2.
  • the rod 3 can be welded, bonded, or adhesively connected to the actuation wire 2.
  • the rod 3 can have a non-illustrated proximal hollow crimp end that slidably receives the distal end of the actuation wire 2 therein and, thereafter, is squeezed by a mechanical stress to fixedly connect the actuation wire 2 to the rod 3.
  • the proximal crimp end can be a heat-contacted sleeve in which heat welds, forms, molds, or otherwise shapes the body of the sleeve to affix the sleeve to the actuation wire 2.
  • the rod 3 may be desirable to decouple the rod 3 from the actuation wire 2 selectively.
  • the distal tip 5 of the retractor 1 after the distal tip 5 of the retractor 1 is deployed in the tissue, it can be decoupled from the main shaft (including the actuation wire 2, the coil winding 7, the outer jacket 8, and the sheath 9) .
  • the distal tip 5 is held loosely in at least one of the coil winding 7 and the outer jacket 8 and the actuation wire is coupled removably to the rod 3.
  • the actuation wire 2 can have a male threaded end screwed into a female threaded bore in the rod 3 and, after deploying the needles 4 in the tissue, the actuation wire 2 is unthreaded, thereby releasing the rod 3, with the needles 4 and tip 5, from the retractor 1.
  • Other release devices can be used, such as a crimp of the rod 3 on the actuation wire 3 that is not permanent and can be overcome by a proximally directed force.
  • the released tip When the released tip (3, 4, 5) is firmly attached to the tissue it can have application as a marker, suture attachment points for a purse string closure, a tissue apposition suture, and an anchoring point, for example, for various things such as pH probes, miniature capsule cameras, and feeding tubes.
  • FIG. 8 The partially broken away view of FIG. 8 shows the actuation wire 2, the rod 3, and the needles 4, placed inside the coil winding 7, which is coaxially disposed within the outer jacket 8.
  • a proximal stop 12 is located at the proximal end of the distal portion to limit the retraction range of the needles 4.
  • the coil winding 7 is, preferably, made of an ovular or circular wire that is wound, in the fashion of a tight spring, to provide it with longitudinal strength while having slight longitudinal expandability/give and to provide it simultaneously with radial flexibility or whip. Due to such coiling, the interior of the coil winding 7 has a natural female thread 71.
  • the stop 12 is hollow to accommodate the actuation wire 2 slidably therein (in a preferred embodiment, the sheath 9 is not allowed to pass through the stop 12) .
  • the internal diameter of the stop 12 is as least slightly greater than the external diameter of the actuation wire 2.
  • the stop 12 is provided with a male thread 121 on its external surface.
  • a groove 122 is provided at the distal end of the stop 12, the groove 122, preferably, being shaped to accommodate the working end of a flat-head screwdriver. To load the assembly of FIG. 6 into the distal end of the outer jacket 8 and coil winding 7, the stop 12 is inserted into the interior of the coil winding 7 (by threading it therein using rotation of a screwdriver placed in the groove 122) to a given distance.
  • the proximal end of the actuation wire 2 is threaded through the distal end of the coil winding 7 and through the hollow interior of the stop 12.
  • the proximal surface 31 of the rod 3 will, ultimately, contact the distal surface 123 of the stop 12 to prevent further proximal movement of the actuation wire 2 and halt retraction of the needles 4.
  • the actuation wire 2 is disposed to deploy and retract the needles 4. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 through 5, the needles 4 pass through the openings 6 at the distal tip 5 to extend out of the distal tip 5. FIGS. 4 and 6 are helpful particularly to explain the movement of the needles 4 through the distal tip 5.
  • the retractor 1 When the retractor 1 is in a position where tissue retraction is desired, the user moves the actuation wire 2 distally (as set forth in further detail below) . As the needles 4 begin to move in a distal direction (in particular, linearly with respect to the longitudinal movement of the actuation wire 2) , the tapered portion of each needle end 44 of the needles 4 contacts the interior/underside of the distal tip 5.
  • the interior/underside of the distal tip 5 acts as a cam surface 56 for the taper, which, because of its shape, become a cam follower 46.
  • the needles 4 are guaranteed to extend out of their respective windows 6 every time the needles 4 move in a distal direction.
  • the needles 4 withdraw into the distal tip 5 with the edge opening of the windows 6 each acting as a cam surface and a respective edge of each of the needles 4 bearing against the cam surface acting as a cam follower.
  • the cam surface 56 can be varied, depending upon the procedure for using the retractor 1, so that the needles 4 extend deeper, shallower, more distal, less distal, more proximal, and/or less proximal.
  • a hollow or bowl 54 can be formed on the distal end face 53 of the distal tip 5 to accommodate therein tissue when the distal tip 5 is pressed against the tissue.
  • An anchoring spike 62 may also be formed at the distal end face 53 of the distal tip 5, preferably, centered in the hollow 54.
  • the function of the anchoring spike 62 is to keep in place and prevent the tip 5 from glancing off a tissue surface (i.e., human tissue, in particular, the wall of the stomach) when the tip 5 of the tissue retractor 1 is pushed initially against the tissue surface. It is noted that the hollow 54 allows the tissue surface to be compressed therein and around the spike 62 to secure the retractor 1 at a grasping location on the surface and prevent radial movement with respect to the spike 62.
  • a tissue surface i.e., human tissue, in particular, the wall of the stomach
  • the flexible tissue retractor 1 is an endoscopic device that is passed through the working channel of a flexible endoscope 4000. Use of such an endoscopic retractor 1 is explained in further detail below.
  • the retractor 1 is used to hold esophageal or any other gastrointestinal tissue 4100, 9100 so that it can be moved or manipulated in some way.
  • the needles 4 are in a fully retracted position in the tip 5. Once the tip 5 is set into place, it is pushed against the tissue 4100, 9100.
  • the tip 5 has the anchoring spike 62 to help locate a desired retraction location on the tissue and place the tip 5 at the desired location.
  • the needles 4 are actuated to extend out of the tip 5 and pierce the tissue 4100, 9100. As the needles 4 extend into and curl around the tissue 4100, 9100, it is retained securely. See FIGS. 37 and 38. Now, the tissue 4100, 9100 can be manipulated as required. To release the tissue 4100, 9100, the needles 4 need merely be retracted back into the tip 5. Because the needles 4 are pre-formed into a substantially rigid arcuate shape, they retain this shape through repeated retractions/deployments .
  • FIG. 10 shows a handle 100 of the flexible tissue retractor 1 for controlling the extension and retraction of the needles 4.
  • the handle 100 includes a nose assembly 200, a handle assembly 300, a push-rod assembly 400, and a locking assembly 500.
  • the nose assembly 200 has a nose 220 defining a distal opening 210 and two coaxial cylindrical hollows communicating with one another including a distal hollow 212 and a proximal hollow 214.
  • the nose 220 has a circumferential exterior setscrew groove 221.
  • the nose 220 also defines a hollow cylindrical interior 222 (communicating with the proximal hollow 214) for receiving therein an over-stroke spring 230 (which has an exterior that is substantially cylindrical-shaped corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the interior 222) .
  • the interior 222 has a distal end surface 226 and is defined at the proximal end by a proximal end surface 224 of the nose 220.
  • the interior 222 Adjacent the proximal end surface 224, the interior 222 defines a groove 228, which, preferably, traverses the entire circumference of the interior 222.
  • the groove 228 is used to seat a retaining ring 240 that is used to hold the coil connector 10 within the interior 222 and, thereby, retain the over-stroke spring 230 in place within the interior 222 of the nose 220.
  • the handle assembly 300 includes a handle body 310 defining a handle body hollow 320 extending along an axis 301 of the handle body 310.
  • a retraction spring 330 is disposed inside the handle body hollow 320.
  • the handle body 310 also defines, near a proximal end 340 thereof, a push-rod hollow 350 and a button hollow 360.
  • the nose 220 is connected removably to the handle body 310 by two setscrews 321 threaded into the handle body 310 and projecting through the handle body hollow 320 and into the setscrew groove 221 (see FIG. 12) .
  • the proximal end surface 224 of the nose 220 supports a distal end of the retraction spring 330.
  • the push-rod assembly 400 is composed of a push-rod 410, a piston 420, a cross-pin 430, a cross-pin tube 432 (also referred to herein as a hypo-tube), and a knob 440.
  • the piston 420 defines a piston hollow 422 (see FIG. 12) preferably having a shape substantially corresponding to the exterior shape of the cross-pin 430.
  • the piston 420 also defines a longitudinal groove or slot 424, extending from the piston hollow 422 to a distal-most end of the piston 420, the slot 424 being shaped to receive the cross-pin tube 432 therein.
  • the cross-pin 430 has an axial bore shaped to receive therein the cross-pin tube 432.
  • the axial bore extends along the axis 301 of the handle body 310.
  • the cross-pin 430 also defines an interior thread 434 extending at least half way through the radial extent thereof (defined by a line orthogonal to the axis 301 when the cross-pin 430 is inserted within the piston hollow 422) .
  • the thread 432 extends entirely therethrough so that the cross- pin 430 can be inserted into the piston hollow 422 in either orientation.
  • a cross-pin setscrew 436 is threaded within the interior thread 432 and is tightened against the hypo-tube 432 and the actuation wire 2 (when the hypo-tube 432 with the actuation wire 2 therein are threaded into the axial bore of the cross-pin 430) to fixedly retain the two parts to the cross-pin 430.
  • a button 510 for locking the push rod 410 is installed in the button hollow 360, which is formed near the proximal end of the handle body 310.
  • the button 510 defines a bore 516 having an arch shape shown in FIG. 15.
  • the button 510 is disposed upon a button spring 520, which is also received in the button hollow 360.
  • the button 510 has a transverse bore 512 for receiving a catch pin 530 therein. In an installed position, a contained space 514, defined by the catch pin 530 and the interior surface of the bore 516 in the button 510 enclose the push rod 410 to, thereby, retain the button 510 in the handle body 310.
  • the sheath 9 is threaded over the actuation wire 2 and approximately 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) of actuation wire extends proximally from the sheath 9; the coil winding 7 is threaded over the sheath 9; the outer jacket 8 is threaded over the coil winding 7; and the strain relief 11 is threaded over the outer jacket 8.
  • the nose 220 is threaded over the strain relief 11.
  • the inner diameter of the distal hollow 212 is greater than the outer diameter of the strain relief 11. Therefore, there is play between the nose 220 and the strain relief 11.
  • the over-stroke spring 230 is threaded over the strain relief 11 and is allowed to move freely into the hollow interior 222 of the nose 220.
  • the actuation wire 2, the coil winding 7, and the hypo-tube 432 are made of stainless steel.
  • the sheath is used to prevent the steel actuation wire 2 from rubbing against the steel coil winding 7.
  • the coil connector 10 is fixedly attached to a sub-assembly including the strain relief 11, the outer jacket 8, the coil winding 7, the sheath 9, and the actuation wire 2.
  • Such attachment occurs, preferably, by crimping 101 the distal end of the coil connector 10.
  • a cross-sectional view of an area surrounding the coil connector 10 is shown in FIG. 14. The crimping does not impart any radial force upon the actuation wire 2. Accordingly, the actuation wire 2 easily slides inside the sheath 9 and with respect to a fixed sub- assembly including the strain relief 11, the outer jacket 8, the coil winding 7, and the sheath 9.
  • the outer jacket 8 is, preferably, made of heat shrink tubing and is tightly shrunk on to the coil 7. Such a configuration provides a smooth outer surface for the retraction device, and also provides longitudinal stiffness to the shaft. The longitudinal stiffness is important because the needles 4 are deployed by pushing the actuation wire 2 through the shaft of the device, effectively putting the shaft in tension. If the outer jacket 8 was not shrunk tightly to the coil 7, the coil 7 would stretch and the device may not actuate. To that end, it is also important that the coil connector 10 be crimped to the outer jacket 8, over the coil 7, to prevent the coil 7 from stretching during actuation.
  • the distal hollow 212 and the proximal hollow 214 will receive therein portions of the strain relief 11, the outer jacket 8, the coil winding 7, the sheath 9, and the actuation wire 2.
  • the strain relief 11 is also sized to extend distally out of the opening 210 approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) to resist impermissible bending of the lumen 7, 8 adjacent the opening 210.
  • the proximal hollow 214 which is wider in diameter than the distal hollow 212, is formed to receive the distal end of the coil connector 10 when the knob 440 is pressed past a position in the handle body 310 in which the needles 4 are fully extended. Such an extended position is referred to herein as "over-stroke" and will be discussed in further detail below.
  • the proximal surface of the coil connector 10 is pushed to compress the over-stroke spring 230 so that the proximal surface projects into the hollow interior 222 of the nose 220 distally past the groove 228.
  • the retaining ring 240 (which is, preferably, C-shaped with eyelets at each end of the "C" to house, for example, ends of a needle-nose-shaped pliers) is compressed and inserted into the groove 228. Because the retaining ring 240 has a radial expanse sufficient to project inward past the innermost edge of the groove 228, it acts as a proximal stop preventing the coil connector 10 from moving proximally past the retaining ring 240.
  • the actuation wire 2 projects proximally from the proximal end surface 224 of the nose 220.
  • the hypo-tube 432 is threaded over this projecting portion until the two proximal ends thereof are aligned with one another.
  • the aligned ends are threaded into the axial ⁇ bore of the cross-pin 430 at least up to the interior thread 434 and, preferably, entirely to the opposite side of the interior thread and through the other side of the axial bore.
  • the aligned ends can project slightly out the proximal side of the axial bore because there is a distance between the proximal side of the cross- pin 430 and the distal end of the installed push-rod 410.
  • the retraction spring 330 can be threaded over the actuation wire 2 before the cross-pin 430 is fastened to the hypo-tube 432 or thereafter because the internal diameter of the retraction spring 330 is similar to or greater than the diametric length of the cross-pin 430 (length of cross-pin 430 along a diameter orthogonal to the actuation wire 2 and the axis 301) .
  • the retraction spring 330 is, then, compressed sufficiently far to allow the cross-pin 430 to be inserted into the piston hollow 422, thereby, sliding the hypo-tube 432 into the longitudinal slot 424 of the piston 420.
  • both the over-stroke spring 230 and the retraction spring 330 are pre-loaded.
  • the pre- compression of the retraction spring is set such that the pre-compression force is great enough to always retract the needles during use of the retractor device.
  • the over-stroke spring 230 pre-compression is set such that the force required to advance the needles 4 does not exceed the pre- compression force. That way, the needles 4 will advance positively and fully before the over-stroke spring 230 begins to compress due to over stroking.
  • the retraction spring 330 is disposed between the proximal end surface 224 of the nose 220 and the distal end surface 429 of the piston 420 to bias the piston 420 towards the knob 440.
  • a form-locking connection is one that connects two elements together due to the shape of the elements themselves, as opposed to a force-locking connection, which locks the elements together by force external to the elements.
  • axial movement of the actuation wire 2 linearly follows axial movement of the piston 420.
  • the handle body 310 is distally threaded over the proximal end of the push-rod 410, over the piston 420, over the retention spring 330, and, finally, snugly over the proximal stub 223 of the nose 220 and secured thereon by at least one setscrew 321 (see FIG. 12) .
  • the button spring 520 is inserted in the button hollow 360 and the pre-assembled the button 510 (catch pin 530 inserted into the transverse bore 512 as shown in FIG.
  • the proximal end of the push-rod 410 will pass through the contained space 514 without substantial friction and project out of the proximal end of the handle body 310. It is noted that, to assist threading of the proximal end of the push-rod 410 into the proximal end of the handle body 310, the proximal surface 322 of the handle body hollow 320 is tapered towards the push-rod hollow 350.
  • the proximal end of the push-rod 410 is formed with a circumferential set-pin groove 414 to accommodate a knob set pin 442 that fixedly connects the knob 440 to the push-rod 410.
  • the proximal end of the push-rod 410 can be formed with a male thread that corresponds to a female thread in the knob 440 such that the knob 440 is screwed onto the push-rod 410.
  • the push-rod 410 is also formed with a circumferential catch pin groove 416 used to capture the catch pin 530 when the push- rod 410 is pressed from a proximal position shown in FIGS. 5,
  • the needles 4 are retracted within the tip 5 and, in the distal position, the needles 4 are extended out of the tip 5.
  • the knob 440 can only be moved slightly; such movement is permitted by the play created by the length of the groove 416 along the longitudinal extent of the push-rod 410.
  • a user can selectively engage the button 510 to capture the push-rod 410 with the catch pin 530 or allow the push-rod 410 to move freely in the longitudinal direction by pressing the button 510 to move the catch pin 530 out of the way so that the groove 416 does not engage the catch pin 530. Accordingly, the locking function of the button 510 can be said to selectively retain the needles 4 in a given position.
  • the distal end of the hypo-tube 432 rests proximal of the distal end of the coil connector 10 when the piston 420 is in a proximal-most position and rests distal to the distal opening 210 of the nose 220 when (as shown in FIG. 11) the knob 440 is pressed to a distal position such that the catch pin 530 engages the catch pin groove 416, this distal position corresponding to a position in which the needles 4 are completely extended out from the tip 5 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Geometry of the co-axially placed actuation wire 2, sheath 9, coil winding 7, and outer jacket 8 dictates that when the outer jacket 8 and/or the coil winding 7 is bent (as it traverses through an endoscope, for example) the length of the actuation wire 2 needed to traverse the curved lumen 7, 8 increases.
  • the actuation wire 2 is configured, therefore, to be sufficiently long such that over-stroke does not occur when the lumen 7, 8 are curved in use.
  • the operation of the push-rod 410 may cause over-stroke because the actuation wire 2 is longer than the lumen 7, 8 surrounding the actuation wire 2.
  • the nose assembly 200 is provided with the over-stroke spring 230, which is disposed in the hollow interior 222 of the nose 220.
  • the over-stroke spring 230 is supported at its distal end by the distal end surface 226 of the hollow interior 222 and at its proximal end by the distal surface 104 of a head 102 of the coil connector 10 (see FIG. 14) .
  • Such a configuration effectively, decouples the lumen 7, 8, 9 (and 11) from the actuation wire 2.
  • the knob 440 To fully deploy the needles 4 in an over-stroke situation, the knob 440 must be pressed in more than if the lumen 7, 8 were curved. Accordingly, the over-stroke spring 230 has a k-factor tuned to allow full deployment of the needles 4 and, thereafter, to compress for further distal movement and compensate for the over-stroke. Due to this tuning of the over-stroke spring 230, the coil winding 7, through the coil connector 10, will compress against the over-stroke spring 230 and move the entire sub- assembly of the lumen 7, 8, and 9 distally and, thereby, absorb the over-stroke of the push-rod 410. Thus, the over- stroke spring 230 functions as a buffer to absorb any over- stroke of the push-rod 410 and substantially prevents any disadvantageous affects when in use.
  • the over- stroke spring 230 protects the needles 4 from over-extending and protects the coil winding 7 from being over extended. Most of the time, the coil winding 7 and the outer jacket 8 will be curved during operation. The coil winding 7 and the retraction spring 330 are constructed to provide proper extension for the needles 4 in such a situation.
  • the retraction spring 330 When pushing the knob 440, the retraction spring 330 will be compressed and the needles 4 will be extended out of the tip 5 by the actuation wire 2. After the needles 4 are extended to a certain distance, the catch-pin 530 will fall into the catch-pin groove 416 formed on the push-rod 410, thus preventing the push-rod 410 from further movement and locking the needles 4 in the deployed position (assuming that the button 510 is not being depressed) . Because the needles 4 are held in the deployed position, the user is, then, free to let go of the handle without the fear of needle 4 retraction, and to use their hands for other surgical procedures until retraction of the needles 4 is desired.
  • An overall longitudinal length of the handle 100 is, preferably, approximately 17 cm (6.74 inches).
  • a preferred longitudinal length of the handle body 310 is between approximately 13 and 14 cm (5.29 inches).
  • a preferred distance between the distal surface of the knob 440 and the proximal end surface of the handle body 310 is between approximately 2.5 and 3 cm (1.05 inches) .
  • the needles 4 are fully retracted into the tip 5 of the retractor 1 as the retractor 1 passes through the endoscope.
  • the tip 5 is positioned at the desired location, in particular, in a selected location of the wall of the stomach.
  • the spike 62 is used to keep the tip 5 in position once the tip 5 is advanced to contact the mucosa 202, the innermost layer of the stomach. It is most desirable, in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, to grasp the muscularis 204 of the stomach, which is the middle layer next to the mucosa 202. It is not desirable, for the reasons stated above, to grasp the serosa 206 of the stomach (the outermost layer) .
  • the memory shaped curvature of the needles 4 is configured so that penetration will occur to a depth no greater than the muscularis 204. Such assurance is illustrated with regard to FIGS., 16 to 23.
  • the tip 5 is pushed against the mucosa 202 and the needles 4 are extended out of the tip 5 to pierce the stomach tissue with the goal of reaching the muscularis 204.
  • the piercing depth of the needles 4 is dependent upon the degree in which the tip 5 is pressed against the mucosa.
  • the needles 4 will barely penetrate the mucosa 202 or will not penetrate the mucosa 202 at all.
  • the needles 4 will penetrate the mucosa 202 but will barely penetrate the muscularis 204 or will not penetrate the muscularis 204 at all.
  • the needles 4 will penetrate the muscularis 204 sufficiently far for a proper retraction.
  • the needles 4 will penetrate the muscularis 204 sufficiently far for a proper retraction.
  • the needles 4 will penetrate muscularis 204 sufficiently far for a proper retraction. If the tip 5 is pressed against the mucosa 202 such that the mucosa 202 presents a 45° angle to the distal face of the tip 5, as shown in FIG. 21, the needles 4 will penetrate more than a majority of the muscularis 204 for a proper retraction but still far short of the serosa 206. If the tip 5 is pressed against the mucosa 202 such that the mucosa 202 presents a 30° angle to the distal face of the tip 5, as shown in FIG.
  • the needles 4 will penetrate more than a majority of the muscularis 204 for a proper retraction but still not as far as the serosa 206. If the tip 5 is pressed against the mucosa 202 such that the mucosa 202 presents a 5° angle to the distal face of the tip 5, as shown in FIG. 23, the needles 4 will penetrate more than a majority of the muscularis 204 for a proper retraction but still just before the serosa 206.
  • the actual degree of penetration will be dependent on the thickness of the mucosa 202 at the given retraction site and upon the respective thicknesses of the patient's stomach layers 202, 204, 206. Nonetheless, the sizing of the needles' curvature should behave as stated above for non-abnormal patients.
  • the tissue When retracted properly, the tissue can be manipulated or moved as required. Release of the tissue, by retracting the needles 4 back into the tip 5, occurs simply by a press of the button 510.
  • the needles 4 are dimensioned and shaped such that they will most likely not enter the serosa 206. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 23, no matter how hard the tip 5 is pushed against the stomach tissue, the needles 4 will stay safely within the serosa 206 and only pierce the mucosa 202 and muscularis 204, thereby 'insuring that insertion of a GERD fastening clip will be implanted in the most optimal position within the patient.
  • the needles 4 can be made to extend proximal to a plane at the tip of the retractor 1 and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tip 5 or distal to the plane.
  • the depth of penetration in the tissue can be limited or enhanced. If the needles 4 exit proximal to the tip plane, their depth of penetration will be limited. Such an example is shown in FIG. 24. Conversely, if the needles 4 extend beyond the plane, their depth of penetration will be enhanced. If the needles 4 are longer and with a greater radius of curvature, the penetration will be enhanced, while conversely, if they are short and the radius of curvature is decreased, the penetration will be limited.
  • the retractor 1 can be tailored to penetrate the tissue in different ways, allowing the grasping of specific layers of the tissue to suit the procedural requirements.
  • both the mucosa 202 and muscularis 204 are retracted.
  • the retracted stomach tissue exhibits a significantly different shape when both the mucosa 202 and muscularis 204 are retracted as compared to when only the mucosa 202 is retracted.
  • the mucosa 202 is analogous to a bag within a bag in that the mucosa 202 is not truly attached to the muscularis 204 and, therefore, when only the mucosa 202 is retracted a clearly visible and sharply slanted peak is formed by the retracted mucosa 202.
  • the retractor 1 may be operated as follows with respect to the treatment of GERD. Turning to FIG.
  • a sleeve 3200 of a distal end effector 2020 is slidably coupled over the distal end of an endoscope 4000 and the end effector 2020 is slid proximally over the endoscope 4000.
  • the distal end of the endoscope 4000 is, then, inserted into the tracheopharangeal passage and moved through the esophagus 4140 and into the stomach 4160, with the end effector 2020 of the plication instrument mounted, preferably, approximately 20 cm back from the distal end of the endoscope 4000.
  • the actuating handle and/or control shaft 2060 are, then, manipulated in gross to slide the distal end effector 2020 over the distal end of the inserted endoscope 4000 and into the stomach 4160, with the endoscope 4000 functioning as a guidewire for the sleeve 3200.
  • the endoscope 4000 may be retroflexed to look back toward to the LES 4020 of the esophagus 4140 and visualize the advancement of the end effector 2020. If the endoscope is retroflexed during insertion of the distal end effector 2020, the passage of the distal end effector 2020 into the stomach 4160 is performed under view of the endoscope 4000.
  • the endoscope 4000 is, preferably, straightened if it was retroflexed, and the end effector 2020 is moved distally off the endoscope 4000 such that the endoscope 4000 and clip implantation instrument are completely separated. Referring to FIG. 26, the endoscope 4000 is then, again, retroflexed and the actuating handle is operated to open the jaws 2260, 2280 of the end effector 2020.
  • a retractor 1 is, preferably, then inserted through a working channel 4080 of the endoscope 4000 and directed at target tissue 4100 one to three centimeters into the stomach 4160 adjacent the LES 4020 where the center of a plication is to be located.
  • the retractor 1 engages the tissue 4100 and pulls the tissue 4100 back between the jaws 2260, 2280 of the end effector 2020 of the clip implantation instrument.
  • the retractor 1 engages the deep muscle of the stomach wall, thus retracting a full thickness plication of the stomach wall between the jaws.
  • the actuating handle and/or control shaft 2060 of the clip implantation instrument are pulled back in gross (i.e., in the direction of withdrawing the instrument) such that the jaws 2260, 2280 approach the tissue 4100 in a direction substantially parallel to the esophagus 4140.
  • a proximal actuation handle is, then, operated to cause the jaws 2260, 2280 to close, as shown in FIG. 28.
  • a tissue plication 4120 is formed by the jaws 2260, 2280 as the male and female parts
  • the posts 3200, 3400 of the male part 1200 of the fastener 100 preferably, pierce the tissue 4100 through the serosal layers of the plication forming a serosa-to-serosa contact on the inside surfaces of the plication.
  • the piercing post 2560 of the female jaw 2280 preferably, pierces through the deep muscle of the tissue 4100 sufficiently to hold the tissue 4100 in place while the jaws are closed.
  • the location and size of the plication 4120 as well as the relative positions of the fastener parts 1200, 1400 are observed through the endoscope 4000. Moreover, more or less clamping pressure can be applied to the plicated tissue by control of a proximal actuation handle until full penetration by the male posts has been achieved.
  • the proximal actuation handle is operated to lock the male and female parts 1200, 1400 of the fastener 1000 and release the coupled fastener 1000 from the jaws 2260, 2280. If the plication or fastener position is not satisfactory, prior to locking and release, the jaws 2260, 2280 can be opened, reoriented if necessary, and another plication 4120 can be formed.
  • the jaws 2260, 2280 are, then, closed, the endoscope 4000 is straightened, and the end effector 2020 is re-docked over the distal end of the endoscope 4000.
  • the clip implantation instrument and the endoscope 4000 are, together, withdrawn through the esophagus 4140 and out of the patient.
  • the endoscope 4000 may be withdrawn first, followed by the withdrawal of the clip implantation instrument, preferably, under visualization with the endoscope.
  • the clip implantation instrument may be operated while coupled to the endoscope. That is, referring to FIG. 30, the target tissue is approached by opening the jaws 2260, 2280 and simply retracting the end effector 2020 along the endoscope 4000 until the tissue 4100 about the LES 4020 is contacted. The jaws 2260, 2280 are, then, closed and the fastener 1000 applied, as described above. In order to utilize this procedure, the sleeve 3200 of the clip implantation instrument should be offset relative to the jaws 2260, 2280 so that the jaws 2260, 2280 can clear the endoscope 4000 when opening and closing.
  • clip implantation instrument has been shown adapted to be coupled to an endoscope, it is recognized that the clip implantation instrument may be modified for use in a manner in which it is always decoupled from an endoscope 4000.
  • FIGS. 34 to 41 a second alternate embodiment of the distal end effector 7020 of the clip implantation instrument 200 is shown.
  • the housing 7900 of the end effector 7020 is provided with a tapered nosepiece 8200 defining a longitudinal passage 8220 sized to receive a guidewire 8240.
  • the guidewire 8240 may have a diameter less than one millimeter.
  • the nosepiece 8200 is formed from a highly flexible material such as silicone.
  • an endoscope 4000 is, preferably, first inserted through the tracheopharangeal passage 4140 and into the stomach 4160 in accord with a well-known procedure.
  • FIG. 31 an endoscope 4000 is, preferably, first inserted through the tracheopharangeal passage 4140 and into the stomach 4160 in accord with a well-known procedure.
  • a guidewire 8240 is advanced through the endoscope into the stomach 4160.
  • the endoscope 4000 is, then, preferably withdrawn from over the guidewire 8240.
  • the end effector 7020 is, then, blindly advanced over the guidewire 8240 and introduced into the stomach 4160.
  • the tapered nosepiece 8200 and relatively small head-on cross-sectional area of the system facilitate the introduction.
  • the guidewire 8240 is, preferably, withdrawn from the stomach 4160. Referring now to FIGS.
  • the endoscope 4000 is, then, reintroduced alongside the control shaft 2060 of the clip implantation instrument, advanced into the stomach 4160, and retroflexed to view the end effector 7020.
  • the jaws 7260, 7280 of the end effector 7020 are, also, opened and brought adjacent the tissue that is to be plicated.
  • the retractor 1 is deployed through a working channel 4080 of the endoscope 4000 and operated to engage tissue 9100 at a location at which the fold of a plication 4120 is desired.
  • the needles 4 of the retractor 1 extend through the mucosa 202 and the muscularis 204 (deep muscle) to, thereby, hold these layers together and prevent delamination.
  • the jaws of the end effector 7020 are closed, forming a plication 4120 about the engaged tissue 4100, the plication 4120 being substantially parallel to the esophagus 4140.
  • the plication 4120 extends from the location held by the retractor 1 to the end of the jaws 7260, 7280 of the clip implantation instrument.
  • the fastener 1000 is deployed and the jaws 7260, 7280 of the end effector 7020 are opened.
  • the jaws 7260, 7280 of the end effector 7020 are closed, and the end effector 7020 is withdrawn through the esophagus 4140 under visualization of the endoscope 4000. That is, the closed jaws of the end effector 7020 are, preferably, positioned directly distal of the endoscope 4000 to minimize the cross-sectional area of the endoscope/clip implantation instrument system as well as to permit constant visualization of the end effector during the retraction of the end effector through the esophagus 4140.
  • a common procedure during flexible endoscopy is the exchange of an endoscope during a procedure. If the first endoscope 4000 is in a position within the alimentary tract that was difficult to achieve, and it is desired that the second (exchange) endoscope be in the same position, the tissue retractor 1 could be used to guide the second scope into the position of the first scope.
  • a flexible endoscopic version of the retractor 1 according to the present invention can be provided with a removable handle 100. Therefore, when a scope exchange is necessary, the tissue retractor 1 can be passed through the first scope and deployed in the tissue at the desired location as shown, for example, in FIGS. 27, 38, and 39. The handle 100 can, then, be removed.
  • the first scope 4000 can, then, be slid over the tissue retractor shaft 8 and removed, leaving the retractor shaft 8 in place. Then, the second scope can be fed over the tissue retractor shaft 8, much like the guidewire 8240 used in FIGS. 32, 33, and 34, and the second scope advanced to the original position. Thereafter, the shaft 8 can be released and removed when desired.
  • a "looking back" clip implantation instrument has been disclosed particularly for fastener application designed to treat GERD
  • a "forward looking” straight instrument with similar jaw assembly can be used to apply the fastener for treatments of other conditions, e.g., obesity, ulceration, stomach cancer, implantation of pH measurement or monitoring devices, feeding tubes, etc.
  • a straight device can be smaller in diameter and be operated through a working channel of an endoscope.

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Abstract

L'écarteur de l'invention comporte un corps (8) définissant une extrémité proximale et une extrémité distale. L'écarteur comporte également un dispositif écarteur (1) constitué d'une tête (5) reliée à l'extrémité distale du corps et définissant deux ouvertures opposées, d'un actionneur (3) disposé mobile dans la tête, et de deux aiguilles (4) sensiblement rigides, reliée pivotante chacune à l'actionneur (3) de façon à se déplacer au travers des ouvertures correspondantes. Ces aiguilles sont arquées. Un dispositif d'actionnement (2) à une main, relié à l'extrémité proximale du corps, est fonctionnellement relié à l'actionneur (3) via le corps (8). Dès l'actionnement du dispositif d'actionnement (2), l'actionneur (3) se déplace de façon à faire sortir sélectivement les aiguilles (4) hors de la tête (5), et à rentrer les aiguilles (4) dans la tête (5). L'invention concerne également des procédés d'utilisation de cet écarteur (1), en particulier pour le traitement du reflux gastro-oesophagien pathologique.
EP03814651A 2002-12-05 2003-12-05 Ecarteur et son procede d'utilisation Withdrawn EP1578257A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43108302P 2002-12-05 2002-12-05
US431083P 2002-12-05
US50501003P 2003-09-22 2003-09-22
US505010P 2003-09-22
PCT/US2003/038665 WO2004060150A1 (fr) 2002-12-05 2003-12-05 Ecarteur et son procede d'utilisation

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EP1578257A1 true EP1578257A1 (fr) 2005-09-28
EP1578257A4 EP1578257A4 (fr) 2007-10-17

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JP (1) JP2006508781A (fr)
AU (1) AU2003297674A1 (fr)
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WO (1) WO2004060150A1 (fr)

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JP2006508781A (ja) 2006-03-16
EP1578257A4 (fr) 2007-10-17
AU2003297674A1 (en) 2004-07-29
WO2004060150A1 (fr) 2004-07-22
CA2508719A1 (fr) 2004-07-22

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