Patent ID: 7318802

Claim:
An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising: a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity; a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to grasp and hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope; a first needle, which is provided outside of the first endoscope and is not mechanically connected to the holding device, and which is moveable outside of the first endoscope along a lengthwise direction of the first needle relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall; a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart from the first needle; and a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle; wherein the second needle is spaced apart from the first needle by a fixed distance and is arranged substantially in parallel with the first needle.