Method for performing endoluminal fundoplication and apparatus for use in the method

Abstract

A method and device for performing endoluminal fundoplication are described. A device is inserted in the patient's stomach through the esophagus, including an unit adapted to grasp and pull a portion of the gastroesophageal junction into the stomach, and an unit adapted to move a portion of the fundus towards the esophagus. The device also can place fasteners to hold the gastric wall and the esophageal wall secured together, thus forming a valve between esophagus and stomach. An adhesive compound can be used to stabilize the juncture of the two walls.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 773,308, filed Feb. 9, 2004, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09 / 675,601, filed Sep. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,828, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the art of fundoplicating the stomach to the esophagus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for performing such a fundoplication endoluminally, and to an apparatus for securing the fundus to the esophagus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Fundoplication is a surgical procedure which is typically used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) condition, a malady often resulting from a deformity of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and / or a dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES). One symptom commonly associated with GER is regurgitation or reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. Fundoplication procedures are directed towar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In another embodiment, the invention is a device for performing endoluminal fundoplication of a patient's esophagus and stomach, comprising a flexible tube having a distal end adapted for insertion in the stomach through the esophagus, a tissue grasping device disposed at the distal end of the flexible tube, adapted to grasp a selected portion of the esophagus, a tissue displacement device disposed adjacent the tissue grasping device, adapted to move a fundus portion of the stomach towards the esophagus and an anvil portion, pivotable relative the tissue displacement portion, wherein the tissue displacement device and the anvil portion releasably carry complementary portions of a fastener, such that said complementary portions are joined when the fundus portion is moved towards the esophagus.

Problems solved by technology

One symptom commonly associated with GER is regurgitation or reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Due to the highly invasive nature of such surgery,2 complications and morbidity occur in a significant percentage of cases.

In addition, these procedures are lengthy, often taking a number of hours to perform, and may leave disfiguring scars where the incisions were made.

Although these procedures are less invasive than those involving large abdominal and thoracic incisions, they are invasive nonetheless, and have costs and risks associated with such invasive surgery.

For example, general anaesthesia is typically used during these procedures which adds to the expense of these procedures and entails well known risks.

In addition to the complications, risks, and costs associated with the invasive nature of current fundoplication methods, these methods have other problems as well.

One such problem is unwrapping of the fundus, also referred to as slippage of the fundal wrap.

Slippage frequently occurs with current methods, as they fail to adequately secure the plicated fundus.

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