Patent ID: 8087413
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of isolating an approximated region of tissue within a stomach, comprising: securing, from within the stomach, a first fold of tissue to a second fold of tissue using a first plurality of tissue anchor assemblies along an interface between the first and second folds of tissue such that a gastric lumen is formed between the first and second folds of tissue, the gastric lumen extending substantially from a gastroesophageal junction of the stomach to at least partially toward a pylorus of the stomach, with each of the first plurality of tissue anchor assemblies including a first tissue anchor engaging a surface of the first fold of tissue outside of the gastric lumen, a second tissue anchor engaging a surface of the second fold of tissue outside of the gastric lumen, and a connector extending through each of the first fold of tissue and the second fold of tissue, without looping over either of the first fold of tissue or the second fold of tissue, to connect the first tissue anchor with the second tissue anchor; and reinforcing the interface between the first and second folds of tissue in the gastric lumen using a second plurality of tissue anchor assemblies such that the interface in the gastric lumen is isolated from environmental fluctuations, with each of the second plurality of tissue anchor assemblies including a third tissue anchor engaging a surface of the first fold of tissue, a fourth tissue anchor engaging a surface of the second fold of tissue, and a connector extending through each of the first fold of tissue and the second fold of tissue and looping over both of the first fold of tissue and the second fold of tissue, to connect the third tissue anchor with the fourth tissue anchor.