Methods and devices for placement of an intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic appliance through a natural body orifice

Abstract

Natural orifice transenteric surgical methods and devices for placing a semi-circumferential appliance around a hollow bodily organ such as the stomach. In one alternative embodiment, such an appliance is placed in order to reduce the inner volume of the stomach.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for placing a semi-circumferential appliance on a wall surface of a hollow bodily organ, comprising:
 an elongate shaft member having proximal and distal ends;   a transmission disposed at the distal end of the shaft member;   a user manipulable handle disposed at the proximal end of the shaft member and cooperatively linked to said transmission for operation thereof; and   a semi-circular member having two opposed ends to define an opening therebetween, said semi-circular member mounted on and cooperating with said transmission for opening and closing of said opposed ends.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the transmission opens and closes the opposed ends of the semi-circular member in response to rotation of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said transmission releases the semi-circular member in response to further rotation of the handle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the opposed ends of the semi-circular member include elements for piercing tissue.