Intra-gastric fastening devices

Abstract

Intra-gastric fastening devices are disclosed herein. Expandable devices that are inserted into the stomach of the patient are maintained within by anchoring or otherwise fixing the expandable devices to the stomach walls. Such expandable devices, like inflatable balloons, have tethering regions for attachment to the one or more fasteners which can be configured to extend at least partially through one or several folds of the patient's stomach wall. The fasteners are thus affixed to the stomach walls by deploying the fasteners and manipulating the tissue walls entirely from the inside of the organ. Such fasteners can be formed in a variety of configurations, e.g., helical, elongate, ring, clamp, and they can be configured to be non-piercing. Alternatively, sutures can be used to wrap around or through a tissue fold for tethering the expandable devices. Non-piercing biased clamps can also be used to tether the device within the stomach.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of anchoring an object to a region of tissue within a hollow body organ, comprising:
 grasping the region of tissue from an interior surface of the hollow body organ;   configuring the region of tissue to create at least one fold of tissue; and   securing a fastener to the fold of tissue such that the object fixedly depends from the fastener and is affixed to the fold of tissue within the hollow body organ.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising advancing an endoscope transorally to the region of tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hollow body organ comprises a stomach. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein grasping the region of tissue comprises holding the tissue with a vacuum force. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein grasping the region of tissue comprises holding the tissue mechanically. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchor is helically-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises at least one rounded end to facilitate placement within the tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchor is biased to form a curved member within the tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises at least one protrusion adapted to extend within the tissue. 
     
     
         10 . A system for occupying a volume within a lumen of a hollow body organ, comprising:
 a space-occupying member; and   an anchor adapted to be secured to at least one fold of tissue created from an interior surface of the hollow body organ,   wherein the space-occupying member is secured to the anchor which is affixed to the fold of tissue within the hollow body organ.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor comprises a helically-shaped fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor comprises a member having at least one rounded end. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor comprises a biased ring. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor is adapted to at least partially pierce into the fold of tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor comprises a suture. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the anchor is at least partially coated with a biocompatible agent.