Patent ID: 8696694
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscopic device for approximating tissue within a hollow body organ, comprising: an elongated body having a plurality of articulatable segments and a steerable distal portion, wherein each of the segments are configurable to assume a selected shape along an arbitrary path when the elongated body is advanced distally or proximally; a first tissue approximation component positioned about the elongated body, wherein the first tissue approximation component is configured to radially expand into contact with a first region of tissue and releasably grip the first region of tissue via a plurality of tissue gripping regions circumferentially located about the first tissue approximation component; and a second tissue approximation component positioned about the elongated body proximally of the first tissue approximation component, wherein the second tissue approximation component is configured to radially expand into contact with a second region of tissue and releasably grip the second region of tissue via a plurality of tissue gripping regions circumferentially located about the second tissue approximation component, wherein the first tissue approximation component and the second tissue approximation component are configured to approximate and securely fasten the first region of tissue to the second region of tissue.