Patent ID: 6494888
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising:an elongated member configured for transoral placement into a stomach, a distal end effector including first and second members configured to engage stomach tissue, the first and second members being movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane, the distal end effector being movable relative to the elongated member in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane, the first member including first and second tissue piercing elements each defining a channel, a third member including a tissue engaging portion for engaging stomach tissue, the third member being movable in a distal direction relative to the first and second members, and a tissue securement member including a first part for coupling to the first member for engagement with a first tissue section, a second part for coupling to the second member for engagement with a second tissue section to be secured to the first tissue section, a suture attached to the first part, and first and second securing elements attached to the suture and deployable through the channels of the first and second tissue piercing elements for engagement with the second part when the first and second members move relatively toward one another to engage the first and second tissue sections, thereby to secure the second part to the first part.