Patent ID: 7749235

Claim:
A system for creating an invaginated portion in a stomach, the system comprising: (a) a suction device, wherein the suction device comprises: (i) a suction head operable to provide suction, (ii) a shaft, wherein the suction head is connected to the shaft, (iii) a vacuum lumen positioned within the shaft and in fluid communication with the suction head, wherein the suction device is configured for the suction head to be placed adjacent to tissue inside a patient's stomach, wherein the suction head and vacuum lumen are operable to induce a vacuum adjacent to the tissue, wherein the suction device is further operable to create an invaginated portion with the tissue, and (iv) a plurality of gripping jaw members that extend from the shaft of the suction device, each of the gripping jaw members having a cup-like configuration and further comprising a joint portion defining a generally spherically-shaped concavity, the concavity of a first joint portion being complementary to the concavity of a second joint portion, wherein the gripping jaw members are operable to be placed in an open position or a closed position by being pivotable about the joint portions, and wherein at least part of the complementary generally spherically-shaped concavities of the joint portions overlap within the shaft when the gripping jaw members are in an open position, and wherein the cup-like configuration of each of the gripping jaw members provides a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum lumen such that a vacuum can be provided within the vacuum chamber through the lumen; and (b) a securing member, wherein the securing member is operable to substantially maintain the configuration of the invaginated portion of tissue, wherein the securing member comprises an adhesive positioned on the exterior surface of the patient's stomach.