Endoscopic Instrument System for Implanting a Device in the Stomach

Abstract

An endoscopic delivery system is provided to deliver a functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is attached the stomach wall. The endoscopic instruments attach or remove the attachment devices and functional devices from the stomach and may be used to assist in determining the optimal attachment location.

1 . An endoscopic instrument for delivering a device to a stomach wall comprising:
 a first elongate member configured to extend into a stomach wall, said first elongate member having a first outer diameter; and   a second elongate member configured to receive the first elongate member therein, said second elongate member having a lumen configured to deliver a device to the stomach wall.   
     
     
         2 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising the device, wherein the device comprises an electronic sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising the device, wherein the device comprises an electronic stimulator. 
     
     
         4 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising the device, wherein the device includes first and second surfaces oriented for engaging inner and outer surfaces of the stomach, respectively, and an electrode such that when implanted the device remains mechanically and electrically coupled to the stomach wall. 
     
     
         5 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising an expansion member coupled to the first elongate member, said expansion member configured to expand to an expanded diameter greater than the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second elongate members and expansion member are each separately acutable. 
     
     
         7 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the second elongate member is configured to fit over the expansion member. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to form an opening through the stomach wall; and wherein the expansion member is configured to expand the opening in the stomach wall. 
     
     
         9 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 8 , wherein the second elongate member is configured to fit over the expansion member into the expanded opening wherein upon the expansion member is removable from the lumen of the second elongate member. 
     
     
         10 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to form a path from one side of the stomach wall to the opposite side of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to form a path from the inside of the stomach wall to the outside of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscopic instrument of claim  243 , wherein the first elongate member is advanced distally through the tissue of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the lumen of the second elongate member is configured to form an opening from the inside of the stomach wall to the outside of the stomach wall along the path. 
     
     
         14 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the second elongate member is configured to receive a device through the lumen; wherein the device extends to the outside of the stomach wall; and wherein the second elongate member is configured to be removed leaving the device in the stomach wall. 
     
     
         15 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to extend into the stomach wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the natural orientation of the stomach wall. 
     
     
         16 . An endoscopic instrument for delivering a device to a stomach wall comprising:
 a first elongate member comprising a first outer diameter; wherein said first elongate member is configured to extend into a stomach wall;   a second elongate member comprising a first lumen and a second outer diameter; wherein said first lumen is configured to receive an expansion member therein;   an expansion member having a second lumen and a third outer diameter; wherein said second lumen is configured to receive the first elongate member therein; and   a device configured to be delivered through the second lumen into the stomach wall.   
     
     
         17 . The endoscopic instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the expansion member is configured to expand to an expanded diameter greater than the first outer diameter of the first elongate member.