Transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device, assembly, system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a device, assembly, and method for transoral endoscopic restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The invention also provides a self-steering and self-closing tissue fixation device for tissue fixation and an invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering tissue. The restoration device includes a longitudinal member arranged for transoral placement into a stomach, a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member that causes stomach tissue to assume a shape related to a gastroesophageal flap, and a tissue fixation device that maintains the shaped stomach tissue in a shape approximating a gastroesophageal flap. The tissue shaper may include a mold. The device may include the invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering esophageal tissue to aid restoration of the gastroesophageal flap, and may include the tissue fixation device.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A device for forming a flap in a lower portion of the esophageal tract, comprising:
 a longitudinal member having sufficient flexibility to be delivered transorally into the esophageal tract;   a tissue holding element coupled to the longitudinal member, the tissue holding element being sized and configured to hold a fold of tissue created by moving a portion of the esophageal tract into contact with a portion of the stomach,   a tissue gripping element having a vacuum orifice to grip tissue in the esophageal tract; and   an attachment element coupled to the tissue holding element, the attachment element being configured to attach the portion of the esophageal tract to the portion of the stomach when the tissue holding element is holds the fold of tissue.   
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the tissue holder is sized and configured to hold a fold of tissue including an intersection between the stomach and the esophageal tract. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the tissue gripping element and the tissue holding element are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the tissue gripping element is movable toward the patient's feet while the vacuum orifice grips the tissue in the esophageal tract to displace the esophageal tract. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 71 , further comprising a stomach engaging element configured to engage a portion of a patient's stomach and move the portion of the stomach toward the feet.