Abstract:
An endoluminal sleeve device (1) for internally lining a section of the GI tract comprises a sleeve (2) configured for deployment inside a GI tract, an anchoring structure (8) with a support ring (9) connected to a proximal sleeve end (4), a plurality of expandable arms (11) hinged to the support ring (9) and movable from a "closed umbrella" configuration to an "open umbrella" configuration,a membrane (15) connected to the arms (11) and extending all around the anchoring structure (8) thereby forming a webbing between adjacent arms (11) and means for locking the arms (11) in the "open umbrella" configuration.
Abstract:
An endoluminal sleeve device (1) for internally lining a section of the GI tract comprises a sleeve (2) configured for deployment inside a duodenum, the sleeve (2) having walls of a flexible material defining a sleeve lumen (3), a proximal end (4) defining a proximal lumen opening (5), and a distal end (6) defining a distal lumen opening (7), the proximal sleeve end (4) forming an anchoring component (8) extending along a circumference of the sleeve, the anchoring component (8) having a collapsed slender transport configuration and a bulky annular deployed configuration having a size that cannot fit through a human pylorus, and a plurality of auxiliary fixation tabs (9) extending from the anchoring component (8).
Abstract:
Mechanisnns for altering the shape of a cell or chamber of a shaft or an actuation drive of an instrument are provided. The mechanisms may selectively rigidize the shaft of surgical or diagnostic instruments. The shaft assembly includes a shaft operatively connectable to a control member, at least one cell or a set of cells defined within the shaft, a shape altering material contained within the cell or cells, and, an activation link operatively connectable to a source of activation energy for delivering activation energy to each cell for activating the shape altering material to selectively rigidize or unrigidize the shaft. An actuator for producing work is also provided that includes an element within a housing that defines a cell or a set of cells. The shape altering material is contained within the cells, and a source of activation energy operatively connected to each cell for activating the shape altering material to expand or contract the cell. The element is operatively connectable to a driving member of an instrument such that the change in the cell is translated to the driving member to facilitate the production of work.
Abstract:
A method for diverting biliary fluid from a biliary fluid flow path to a target location in the intestine distal to a duodenal papilla of Vater, the method comprising the steps of visualization of a gallbladder (8) and of a portion of the intestinal tract (2, 3, 4, 5), accessing endoluminally the portion of the intestinal tract (2, 3, 4, 5), extending a guide (11) from the portion of the intestinal tract through a gallbladder wall and through an intestinal wall at a target portion (12) of the intestine significantly distal to the papilla of Vater (10), approximating the gallbladder (8) and the target portion (12) of intestine to each other along the guide (11) and anastomosing the gallbladder (8) to the target portion (12) of intestine to create a cholecysto-enterostomy (13).
Abstract:
Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient.
Abstract:
Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, a method of producing satiety comprising the steps of accessing a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and implanting an intraintestinal therapeutic substance eluting implant. The implant is capable of eluting a satiety inducing substance selected from at least one of a nutrient, a specific satiety inducing bio-active substance, pancreatic polypeptides, free fatty acids, cholecystokinin, amino acids, glutamine, lipids, linoleic acid, or a combination thereof, from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract.
Abstract:
A retractor instrument for use in surgery having a body section and attachment tabs for securing the retractor to tissue. The retractor may have multiple body sections joined by hinges or ribs and may be rigid or flexible or some combination thereof. The retractor may comprise bioabsorbable material as well as hemostatic material. The retractor is suitable for use with clips, staples, sutures and tacks.
Abstract:
A storage medium contains a program which instructs a computer to recognize a predetermined shape of each of at least one portion of a medical assembly as a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient when the image data includes the predetermined shape and is received by the digital computer. The at-least-one portion has another function apart from functioning as a real-world fiducial. A medical apparatus includes a medical assembly and a storage medium. The medical assembly includes a component having at-least-one portion each with a predetermined shape. The storage medium contains a program which instructs a computer to recognize the predetermined shape of each of the at-least-one portion as a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient when the image data includes the predetermined shape and is received by the digital computer. The component has another function apart from functioning as a real-world fiducial.
Abstract:
A first extruded member in joined to a molded member to form an integrated component. In one exemplary form, a surgical anchor is overmolded onto the end of an extruded suture to form a suture/anchor system.