Endoscopic tissue apposition device with multiple suction ports

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved endoscopic tissue apposition device having multiple suction ports. The invention permits multiple folds of tissue to be captured in the suction ports with a single positioning of the device and attached together by a tissue securement mechanism such as a suture, staple or other form of tissue bonding. The improvement reduces the number of intubations required during an endoscopic procedure to suture tissue or join areas of tissue together. The suction ports may be arranged in a variety of configurations on the apposition device to best suit the desired resulting tissue orientation. The inventive tissue apposition device may also incorporate tissue abrasion means to activate the healing process on surfaces of tissue areas that are to be joined by operation of the device to promote a more secure attachment by permanent tissue bonding.

1 . A method of stomach reduction to treat obesity, the method consisting of:
 endoscopically segregating portions of a stomach to treat obesity by performing acts of:   (a) endoscopically suturing at least two portions of stomach tissue with at least one suture using an endoscopic suturing device; and   (b) endoscopically securing the at least two portions of tissue together with the at least one suture to reduce the stomach by segregating portions of the stomach.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein act (a) includes collecting stomach tissue with to the endoscopic suturing device, and sewing the collected stomach tissue with the at least one suture. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the endoscopic suturing device is constructed and arranged to collect tissue, and act (a) includes collecting stomach tissue with the suturing device. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the suturing device includes at least one suction port, and act (a) includes suctioning stomach tissue into the suturing device through the suction port. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the endoscopic suturing device includes at least one needle with the at least one suture being carried by the needle, and act (a) includes advancing the needle and the suture through the collected stomach tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein act (a) includes collecting each of the at least two portions of stomach tissue, and subsequently sewing the at least two portions of stomach tissue with the at least one suture. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein act (b) includes securing the at least one suture with a suture clip. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein act (a) is performed during a single endoscopic intubation. 
     
     
         9 . A method of stomach reduction to treat obesity, the method consisting of:
 endoscopically segregating portions of a stomach to treat obesity by performing acts of:   (a) endoscopically capturing at least two portions of stomach tissue;   (b) endoscopically placing at least one suture in the captured stomach tissue; and   (c) endoscopically securing the at least two portions of stomach tissue together with the at least one suture to reduce the stomach by segregating portions of the stomach.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein acts (a) and (b) are performed with an endoscopic suturing device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the endoscopic suturing device includes at least one suction port, and act (a) includes suctioning the stomach tissue into the suturing device through the suction port. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the endoscopic suturing device includes at least one needle with the at least one suture carried by the needle, act (b) includes advancing the needle and the suture through the captured tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein act (a) includes capturing each of the at least two portions of stomach tissue prior to act (b). 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein acts (a) and (b) include capturing a first portion of stomach tissue, placing the at least one suture in the first tissue portion, capturing a second tissue portion, and placing the at least one suture in the second tissue portion. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein act (c) includes securing the at least one suture with a suture clip. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein acts (a) and (b) are all performed during a single endoscopic intubation.