Patent ID: 8512362
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for ligating tissue, comprising: providing a device having an elongated flexible shaft and a reverse grasping end effector including a first arm movable relative to a second arm located at or near a distal end of the shaft; advancing the end effector into the body of a patient to a location of a target tissue; advancing at least the first arm to a position distal of the target tissue in relation to the flexible shaft; pivoting the first arm in a first direction by moving an actuator associated with the elongated flexible shaft, such that the end effector forms a tissue engaging shape; retracting the end effector to engage the target tissue with the tissue engaging shape; pivoting the first arm further in the first direction to compress the target tissue between the first and second arms, and to deform a ligature positioned between the first and second arms around the target tissue; and removing the device including the elongated flexible shaft and the reverse grasping end effector from the patient, while leaving the ligature on the target tissue.