Invaginator for gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device

Abstract

An assembly for restoring a gastroesophageal flap valve includes a restoration device substantially free for rotation. The assembly comprises an elongated member configured to be fed through a throat, down an adjoining esophagus and into an associated stomach. The elongated member has a distal end. The assembly further comprises a gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device carried on the distal end of the elongated member for placement in the stomach, and an invaginator carried by the elongated member. The invaginator is configured to grip the esophagus and the elongated member and invaginator are coupled for restricted relative axial movement and substantially free relative rotational movement.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 an elongated member configured to be fed through a throat, down an adjoining esophagus and into an associated stomach, the elongated member having a distal end;   a gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device carried on the distal end of the elongated member for placement in the stomach; and   an invaginator carried by the elongated member, the invaginator being configured to grip the esophagus,   the elongated member and invaginator being coupled for restricted relative axial movement and substantially free relative rotational movement.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the invaginator is configured to non-invasively grip the esophagus. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the invaginator is configured to vacuum-grip the esophagus. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a conduit that couples the invaginator to a vacuum source. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the conduit comprises a lumen formed in the elongated member. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the conduit further comprises a tube connecting the lumen to the invaginator. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the conduit comprises an elongated tubular member independent of the elongated member. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the invaginator circumscribes the elongated member. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a lubricant between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a bearing assembly between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises at least one bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a lubricant applied to the at least one bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises an inner bearing sleeve and an outer bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner bearing sleeve and outer bearing sleeve are coaxially disposed between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a lubricant between the inner bearing sleeve and the outer bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member includes a discrete axial length portion of reduced cross-sectional dimension and wherein the invaginator is within the discrete axial length portion. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the invaginator extends substantially coextensively along the elongated member. 
   
   
       18 . An assembly comprising:
 an elongated member configured to be fed through a throat, down an adjoining esophagus and into an associated stomach, the elongated member having a distal end;   a gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device carried on the distal end of the elongated member for placement in the stomach; and   an invaginator carried by and circumscribing the elongated member, the invaginator being configured to vacuum grip the esophagus,   the elongated member and invaginator being coupled for restricted relative axial movement and substantially free relative rotational movement.   
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18  further comprising a lubricant between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a conduit that couples the invaginator to a vacuum source. 
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the conduit comprises a lumen formed in the elongated member. 
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the conduit further comprises a tube connecting the lumen to the invaginator. 
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the conduit comprises an elongated tubular member independent of the elongated member. 
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a bearing assembly between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises at least one bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 25 , further comprising a lubricant applied to the at least one bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises an inner bearing sleeve and an outer bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the inner bearing sleeve and outer bearing sleeve are coaxially disposed between the invaginator and the elongated member. 
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising a lubricant between the inner bearing sleeve and the outer bearing sleeve. 
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated member includes a discrete axial length portion of reduced cross-sectional dimension and wherein the bearing assembly is within the discrete axial length portion. 
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the invaginator extends substantially coextensively along the elongated member. 
   
   
       32 - 61 . (canceled)